Melbourne Storm will field seven teams across NRL, Male and Female Pathways in 2026 including a stand-alone reserve-grade side for the first time, creating Club history.
In what is a key milestone for rugby league in Victoria, local juniors in the state will have a clearer pathway than ever before to the top-flight of rugby league.
Storm’s first ever official female sides will play a key role in the expanded pathways system entering U17 and U19 NSWRL competitions with an eye towards a future NRLW license.
The Club’s continued investment into the future generation comes oL the back of the implementation of the Storm Academy in 2022 and Road to AAMI Park Pathway Program which was launched to secure the Club’s future and allow elite junior players to develop through a Storm system, with the end goal to graduate into the NRL.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski said the announcement was an exciting move for the future of Melbourne Storm and young rugby league players in the state.
“This move will continue critical local investment into the future of our Club and help to set us up for success on the field for the years ahead,” Rodski said.
“We are working closely with the NRL to ensure we make the most of the growth the game is experiencing here in Victoria by creating localised programs and pathways for players, regardless of where they live.
“We have already begun to see results following the creation of our Storm Academy and are passionate about providing Victorian rugby league players a local pathways system.
“We are also thrilled to be able to introduce two female Melbourne Storm sides next year following the success of our Female Development Squad over the past two seasons.
“Laying the foundations and setting up a strong local pathway for the female game in Victoria will be essential for when our Club moves into the NRLW.”
The introduction of Storm’s first ever reserve-grade side to compete in the NSW Cup competition from next season will allow locally produced male players a consistent path from U17’s through to NRL level. The new set up will fill a gap in Victoria for those graduating from the Club’s current U21 program.
Mark Russell, the Club’s current Pathways and U21’s Head Coach will take the reins of Storm’s inaugural reserve-grade side next season. Russell, has spent the past two seasons in Melbourne, spending significant time with Storm’s Junior Representative players ensuring the alignment of the Club’s coaching program across pathways and Academy.
In other staffing changes, Todd Lowrie will become the Club’s Head of Development overseeing all Pathways coaches in the Storm system while still leading the NRL Leadership Program.
Current U21’s Assistant Coach Dan Murphy will make the step up into the Jersey Flegg Head Coach role next season with Russell moving into the NSW Cup post.
Matt Duffie will continue as Head Coach of Storm’s SG Ball outfit after taking the U19s into week two of the finals in 2025. In 2026 he will be assisted by former teammates Justin O’Neill and Ryan Hoffman on the coaching panel.
Caine Sinclair, who assisted Duffie this season will move into the Harold Matthews U17s Head Coach role in 2026. Sinclair hails from the Altona Roosters Junior Rugby League Club and headlines a number of local Victorian coaches who will be on coaching panels and football staff roles across the male and female programs from U17 Junior Representatives right through to NSW Cup level.
Recruiting for coaching and staffing positions in Storm’s historic first ever U17 and U19 Female sides is currently underway.
The move means Storm’s partnerships with current feeder clubs Brisbane Tigers, Sunshine Coast Falcons and the North Sydney Bears will end at the conclusion of the 2025 season as announced last month.
Melbourne Storm Football Director Frank Ponissi thanked the clubs for their relationships with the Club while reinforcing Storm’s continued commitment to southeast Ǫueensland via Club Academies.
“We have had proud partnerships with Brisbane Easts and the Sunshine Coast Falcons for more than 10 years, alongside the Bears more recently which has helped produce some fantastic NRL players for Storm,” Ponissi said.
“It’s critical that we continue to invest in our pathways structure here in Victoria and build on the success of our Storm Academy but we are determined to remain present in South-East Ǫueensland, continuing to identify and develop talent from the area and give them opportunities with Storm.”
Melbourne Storm Pathways Structure – 2026
NRL – First Grade
NSW Cup – Reserve Grade
U21 Male – Jersey Flegg Cup
U19 Male – SG Ball Cup
U17 Male – Harold Matthews Cup
U19 Female – Tarsha Gale Cup
U17 Female – Lisa Fiaola Cup
