Storm ‘eager for grand final redemption’ as Fittler reflects on the ‘hollow’ sting of defeat

League legend Brad Fittler is of the opinion that the Storm will be “fired up” to avoid a repeat of last year’s grand final narrative as they gear up to face their traditional rivals at home.

In the 2020 grand final, Melbourne triumphed over the Panthers, but they couldn’t replicate that success in 2024, falling 14-6 on the crucial day.

This defeat marked Ivan Cleary’s side’s fourth consecutive premiership title and their fifth straight appearance in a grand final, leaving a heavy atmosphere in the Storm’s changing room.

“There’s not much I can say that will ease the pain,” coach Craig Bellamy told his players in the locker room following the loss in October.

“Without delving too deep into tactics, they stuck to what they excel at, refusing to be dissuaded. Occasionally, we ventured into areas not suited to our strengths.”

“Let’s celebrate our minor premiership … but that’s just a consolation for tonight.”

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“We let a chance slip away, but we all need to learn from it. It’s a tough journey to a grand final, but as we learned last night, winning one is even harder.”

Fittler found Bellamy’s post-match speech resonant, as he has tasted both the sweetness of victory and the bitterness of defeat throughout his own 15-year playing career.

Fittler clinched his first premiership with Melbourne’s rivals, the Panthers, in 1991 and then celebrated again in 2002 with the Sydney Roosters.

However, this success did not erase the disappointment of back-to-back grand final losses in 2003 and 2004.

“I won two and lost four,” he reflected on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.

“It’s tough to articulate what Bellamy said right after the game. You’re just in a state of emptiness, completely hollow.”

“For hours, you feel vacant … it fuels you.”

With the pain pushed aside, the Storm roared to a dominant 56-18 victory over the Eels, kicking off their 2025 season in spectacular fashion.

This emphatic win served as a warning to their competitors as they extended Bellamy’s 22-year record of winning the opening match of the season.

After having a bye in Round 2, Melbourne is also on the brink of welcoming back star forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who has been named in the reserves.

The formidable Kiwi powerhouse missed the grand final due to suspension and ironically was nearly sidelined again after being placed on report for a hip-drop tackle in the Queensland Cup.

“I think the absence of their front-rower would have deeply affected them,” Fittler observed regarding Asofa-Solomona’s situation.

“It’s ironic he almost got suspended from a match he wouldn’t have been able to play in anyway. His absence definitely hurt them.

“They took that loss personally. I noticed Nick Meaney, who is typically reserved, made a remark indicating this game is very personal due to last year’s events.

“They are still feeling that fire.”