At the start of just about every new year the critics write off the Storm, declaring their aura has gone – and by season's end Craig Bellamy has them eating their words.
But coming into 2024, the NRL's most successful team in the past two decades is facing some real danger signs.
Five players with NRL experience have gone – and not a single player has been signed to replace them.
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Admittedly, Bellamy has retained the core of his best 17-man squad and given an injury-free run, the Storm will again be highly competitive.
The five departures – and the fact no one has come into the team with NRL experience – could come back to bite the Storm, however.
Over a long season, especially at State of Origin time – the team's depth will be tested like never before. If injuries again strike the team, the Storm could find the going tough.
Added to Bellamy's woes is an apparent discipline problem – the Storm conceded the most penalties in the NRL last season (172) and will want to improve their image in the eyes of the referees to win the close games.
But all is not lost – Bellamy has a habit of pulling star talent out of his hat – no one had heard of Will Warbrick this time last year and he went on to become one of the finds of the season.
Jonah Pezet and Tyran Wishart were two more youngsters to prove their worth during the year and will be better players with a full off-season behind them.
Much of the Storm's fate could revolve around how brilliant fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen fares in his continual battle with injury.
Papenhuyzen played just the last three games of the season but is working hard during the summer and reports are he will fly out of the blocks in 2024.
Predicted finish: 5th to 8th
2024 gains: nil
2024 losses: Tariq Sims (Catalans), Jayden Nikorima (Catalans), George Jennings (unsigned), Jordan Grant (unsigned), Tom Eisenhuth (Dragons).
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