Challenge accepted: Grant backs new-look Storm to rise again

“Then, obviously the season's a challenge in itself, the length of it, the unpredictability of it and all the things that come with it, so it's always a challenge.

“But I think if there's one thing about the Melbourne Storm, it's always to embrace that and really go after that.”

Having only missed the finals three times since the club entered the competition in 1998, their quest to reach their 22nd finals series under Bellamy has been dealt a number of key blows. 

The departures of star players Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona from rugby league leave big shoes to fill, coupled with the medical unavailability of 2025 Dally M second rower of the year Eli Katoa who has been ruled out of the 2026 season.

“I think the big thing is there's a fair few spots up for grabs in our team, it's not set in stone, it's not pencilled in,” Grant said.

“Looking to Round 1, there's a fair few that we don't know who's going to be playing where, so a pre-season's really important.”

For Grant, that includes who will line up at fullback in place of Papenhuyzen, despite Samoa representative Sua Fa’alogo having the inside running to return to the starting line up after missing the back end of the 2025 season with a hamstring injury.

“We've got some options there and the big thing for Sua is that he's got an opportunity now, but he's got to train well, he's got a pre-season and knowing Craig Bellamy, there's a couple of other guys that'll be knocking on his door as well to play fullback,” Grant said.

“At the end of the day, the opportunities are in guys' hands, but you have got to take it and make the most of the opportunity if you have got it.”

Although he is another player in line to fill the vacancy, Nick Meaney has backed Fa’alogo to make the position his own.

“He's a very handy football player, I think it's good that he'll get first crack at fullback hopefully and I can keep doing my stuff at centre,” Meaney said.

“Then if anything happens, injuries in the game and whatnot; I'm pretty confident I can do a job in that spot as well.

“It comes back to whatever Craig and the coaching staff want, and what's best for the team.

“Obviously [Fa'alogo] had a bit of time there while Paps was out, but then he suffered a few injuries himself, so he's been a bit of a rollercoaster career himself already.

“But I think he's a very talented player, can learn a lot more about the game, and obviously it's up to us, players around him and staff as well to help him get to that next level and be a probably top tier fullback in the comp.”