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Storm players named in NSW under-18 squad

Written by: Chris Couch

May 19th 2009 12:09 PM

Melbourne Storm’s SG Ball team achieved great success this year by making the grand final of the national under-18 competition in their inaugural season. What made the achievement even more special is the fact the success was achieved with a squad of players that were predominantly Victorian, taught how to play the game through the Melbourne Storm Development Programs. The success hasn’t stopped there though. After the SG Ball grand final was played, 45 players were chosen in the New South Wales under-18 train on squad, of which four were from the Storm. Slade Griffin, Sam Martin and Jordan McLean were three of the Storm’s players named, a wonderful achievement after outstanding seasons. However, it’s the selection of Lucas Grech (pictured) that stands out. Grech was born and raised in Victoria, has come through the Storm’s junior development programs, and stamped himself as one of the best under-18 players in Australia. Melbourne Storm’s SG Ball coach Kim Williams identified in pre-season that Grech had a lot to offer in the number nine jersey. “He had never played at hooker before this year, he was a backrower,” said Williams. “But we identified some attributes in his game that we thought might see him better suited at hooker. He’s very tough and loves the physical side of the game, so we thought getting him closer to the middle of the field would better suit his game. “He trained really hard and was just a sponge for knowledge on how to play the position. His improvement was very rapid on the back of his great attitude. “He had an outstanding season, and from what I saw, he was the standout hooker in the competition.” The way Grech has progressed through the Storm’s Development Program is also pleasing to Williams. “He has come through the Victorian program which shows the progress the game is making in this state,” said Williams. “He played for the state under-12’s, then represented Victoria in the under-15’s and has now been in the under-18’s for a couple of years. “He is virtually the role model for how we want Victorians to come through our development system.”

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