2002 Melbourne Storm season

2002 Melbourne Storm season
NRL Rank 10th
2002 record Wins: 9; Draws: 1; Losses: 14
Points scored For: 556; Against: 586
Team information
CEO John Ribot
Coach Mark Murray
Captain
Stadium Olympic Park Stadium
Top scorers
Tries Aaron Moule (17)
Goals Matt Orford (62)
Points Matt Orford (156)
< 2001 List of seasons 2003 >

The 2002 Melbourne Storm season was the 5th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2002 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in 10th place making it their lowest finishing position so far. It was Mark Murray's final season as coach of the club. [1]

In 2002 the Storm returned to Olympic Park. The club secured no big name player signings for the season as it kept under the NRL imposed salary cap.

In an effort to reignite its floundering success the return to its smaller home ground was seen by players and supporters as a positive move. The club though continued to deliver hot and cold performances as the season progressed, leaving them on the fringe of the Top 8 (from only 14 competitors).

The club suffered internal turmoil during the season, particularly when the captaincy was removed from Robbie Kearns and given to Rodney Howe. The Storm was also troubled over the renegotiation of club stalwart Richard Swain's contract - he reluctantly signed for Brisbane for 2003 when the Storm (citing salary cap issues) failed to make him an offer.

The Storm's season again came down to needing to win its final round game to reach the semi-finals. In a repeat of 2001, Melbourne appeared to lack enthusiasm when it mattered and again lost a crucial match.[2]

Draw and Results

[3]

Round Opponent Result Mel. Opp. Date Venue
1Canberra RaidersWin 16 12 Mar 16 Olympic Park
2Cronulla Sharks Loss2430 Mar 23 Toyota Park
3North Queensland CowboysWin3810 Mar 30 Olympic Park
4Parramatta Eels Win3230 Apr 6 Parramatta Stadium
5Bulldogs Loss 622 Apr 13Olympic Park
6St. George Illawarra DragonsWin124 Apr 20 Olympic Park
7New Zealand Warriors Loss1020 Apr 27Mt. Smart Stadium
8Newcastle Knights Loss 2836 May 4 Olympic Park
9Sydney Roosters Loss 634 May 11 Sydney Football Stadium
10Parramatta Eels Loss2022 May 18 Olympic Park
11New Zealand Warriors Loss1228 May 25 Olympic Park
12BYE
13Newcastle KnightsLoss1637 Jun 8 Hunter Stadium
14St. George Illawarra DragonsDraw3030 Jun 15 WIN Stadium
15South Sydney Rabbitohs Win 44 6 June 22 Olympic Park
16Northern Eagles Loss 2236 Jun 29 Brookvale Oval
17Wests TigersWin 2620 Jul 6 Olympic Park
18Sydney RoostersWin4810 Jul 13 Olympic Park
19BYE
20Penrith PanthersLoss1636 Jul 27 Penrith Stadium
21Brisbane BroncosLoss2048 Aug 3 Olympic Park
22North Queensland CowboysWin4030 Aug 10 Dairy Farmers Stadium
23Penrith PanthersWin4210 Aug 17 Olympic Park
24Wests TigersLoss1626 Aug 24 Leichhardt Oval
25BulldogsLoss1624 Aug 30 Sydney Showground Stadium
26Canberra RaidersLoss1625Sep 7 Bruce Stadium

Ladder

Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 New Zealand 2417072688454+23438
2 Newcastle 2417072724498+22638
3 Brisbane 2416172672425+24737
4 Sydney Roosters 2415182621405+21635
5 Cronulla-Sutherland 2415092653597+5634
6 Parramatta 24102122531440+9126
7 St George Illawarra 2493122632546+8625
8 Canberra 24101132471641-17025
9 Northern Eagles 24100142503740-23724
10 Melbourne 2491142556586-3023
11 North Queensland 2480162496803-30720
12 Penrith 2470172546654-10818
13 Wests Tigers 2470172498642-14418
14 South Sydney 2450192385817-43214
15 Bulldogs 2420132707435+27281

Awards and honours

References

  1. ↑ http://stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/melbourne/melbourne2002_sc.html
  2. ↑ http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/evolution-storm
  3. ↑ http://stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/melbourne/melbourne_by.html#2002
  4. ↑ "NRL Honour Board". melbournestorm.com.au. Melbourne Storm. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
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