The 2005 Melbourne Storm season was the 8th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2005 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season 6th out of 15 teams and making the finals. The season began with two big wins over the Knights and Dragons, each by more than 30 points. The form line followed a similar path to the previous season though as the team struggled to string consecutive wins together and hovered around the lower part of the eight for much of the season before ultimately finishing sixth once again. Future star Greg Inglis made his debut in Round 6. Storm finished the season with the second best defence in the competition and again went to Suncorp Stadium in Week One of the finals, producing the same result to defeat the Broncos. However for the third straight season the side was unable to progress past the semi-final stage, losing to the Cowboys. At the end of the season, Storm legends Robbie Kearns and Matt Geyer were inducted as inaugural life members of the Club.^[1]

Season Summary

• 22 February – The Supreme Court of New South Wales finds Melbourne and former players Stephen Kearney and Marcus Bai responsible for the spear tackle that ended the career of Jarrod McCracken in the 2000 NRL season.^[2][3]
• Round 1 – Melbourne open their 2005 season at home with a resounding 48-10 win over Newcastle Knights. Leading 22-0 at half time, the Storm extend their lead on the back of a Billy Slater hat-trick. Former Melbourne winger Dustin Cooper scores a double for the visitors. Brett White makes his NRL debut.
• Round 4 – Storm thrash Brisbane Broncos 50-4 to inflict the heaviest defeat in the Broncos' 18-year history. The 50 point score against Brisbane also bested the 48 points scored by Melbourne in 1999. Before the game, the club honours 1999 premiership players Glenn Lazarus and Tawera Nikau; by renaming the eastern (Nikau) and western (Lazarus) grandstands.^[4]
• 13 April – Melbourne is found to have breached the competition's salary cap in 2004 and are fined $120,000.^[5]
• Round 6 – Greg Inglis makes his NRL debut at just 18 years and 91 days, scoring a try.
• 30 April – The Victoria State Government confirms that the Olympic Park precinct will undergo a $100m redevelopment, with a new stadium scheduled for completion in 2008.^[5][6]
• 2 May – Controversy over "grapple tackles" erupts with Cronulla prop claiming he was choked in a two-man Storm tackle.^[5]
• Round 12 – Melbourne breaks a three-game losing streak at home by beating St George Illawarra by 24–16.^[7]
• Round 13 – Melbourne win their first game at Leichhardt Oval since 1998, coming from 8-0 down at half time to win 30-14.^[5]
• Round 14 – Missing Origin players, Melbourne are awarded a controversial penalty try to Cooper Cronk early in the second half. It wasn't enough for the victory, as the New Zealand Warriors regained the Michael Moore Trophy win a 24-16 victory.
• Round 16 – Melbourne return to form thrashing South Sydney Rabbitohs 48-6, with Billy Slater scoring another hat-trick.^[5]
• Round 17 – Melbourne win just their second game in 13 attempts against 2004 premiers Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with Slater and Inglis both scoring two tries in a 33-6 win.
• Round 18 – In front of the lowest attended Olympic Park home game in club history (6,063), Melbourne hold Canberra Raiders scoreless for the first time.
• 20 July – After weeks of speculation, it's announced halfback Matt Orford has signed a four-year contract with Manly worth nearly $2m.^[5]
• Round 23 – Melbourne celebrate the 100th game at Olympic Park by regaining the Michael Moore Trophy, winning 22-10 over the Warriors.^[5]
• Round 25 – In his last home game for the club, Robbie Kearns is chaired from the field following a 34-22 win over Wests Tigers. Coach Craig Bellamy saying that Kearns "without a doubt is the heart and soul of this club."^[5]
• Round 26 – A penalty try awarded against Billy Slater in a 30-24 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys was part of a controversial night in Townsville with Cowboys forward Carl Webb suspended for punching Ryan Hoffman allegedly in retaliation for a "grapple tackle." The loss drops Melbourne to sixth on the ladder at the end of the regular season, behind the Cowboys in fourth.
• Qualifying Final – Travelling to Brisbane for the second year in a row, Melbourne hang on for a 24-18 win over the Broncos. Injuries to Robbie Kearns (shoulder) and Billy Slater (ankle) complicating things for the club for the remainder of the finals.
• 12 September – Melbourne and North Queensland spark a war of words over the "grapple tackle", with both clubs accusing the other of using the technique ahead of the semi-final between the teams. Melbourne later release video of 20 incidents in which they claim Cowboys players were putting opponents in headlocks.^[5]
• Semi-final – For the third year in a row, Melbourne are eliminated in the second week of the NRL finals, this time going down 24-16 to the Cowboys at Aussie Stadium. Down 16-0 at half time, Melbourne were gifted a try by referee Paul Simpkins who failed to consult the video referee when centre Steven Bell lost control of the ball while attempting to score. A frantic final flurry almost saw Melbourne level the scores led by fill-in captain Matt Orford.

Jerseys

2005 home jersey

For the 2005 season, Melbourne signed a new apparel contract with Reebok. The home jersey remained largely unchanged from the 2001-02 design, but now with a simple navy blue T-shirt style collar. This meant the home jersey did not feature gold for the first time in team history.

A new white clash jersey was designed, featuring a large gold thunderbolt with purple block shadowing, which was partially obscured by the jersey advertiser Adecco. The clash jersey was worn with different navy blue shorts featuring the thunderbolt design on the right.

The clash jersey was worn on seven occasions during the regular season (rounds 5, 13, 14, 19, 21, 22, 26); with Melbourne only winning on one occasion against Wests Tigers. Both finals games were also played with Melbourne wearing the clash jersey.

Fixtures

Pre Season

Date	Rd	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Tries	Goals	Field goals	Ref
5 February	Trial	Central Comets	Browne Park, Rockhampton	Won	58	18	J Webster (2), M Brentnall (2), J Tatupu, R Shortland, T Metuisela, A Kaufusi, P Robinson	G Inglis (7)		[8]
19 February	Trial	Brisbane Broncos	Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast	Won	24	10	S Turner, S Bell, J Smith, B Slater, G Inglis	S Turner (2)		[9]
25 February	Trial	North Queensland Cowboys	Barlow Park, Cairns	Won	30	18	C Smith, R Kearns, B Slater, R Hoffman, J Webster	M Orford (3), C Smith, G Inglis		[10][11]

Regular season

Source:^[12]

• (g.p.) – Golden Point extra time
• (pen) – Penalty try

Date	Rd	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Tries	Goals	Field goals	Ref
13 March	1	Newcastle Knights	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	48	10	B Slater (3), M Orford (2), C Cronk, R Hoffman, J Webster, B White	M Orford 4/5, M Geyer 2/2, C Smith 0/2		[13]
19 March	2	St George Illawarra Dragons	WIN Stadium, Wollongong	Won	46	12	S Bell (2), M Orford (2), R Kearns, M King, B Slater, C Smith	M Orford 4/5, C Smith 3/4		[14]
27 March	3	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	Brookvale Oval, Sydney	Lost	18	25	S Bell, C Cronk, B Slater	C Smith 3/3		[15]
2 April	4	Brisbane Broncos	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	50	4	M Geyer (2), M King (2), B Slater (2), J Webster (2), S Bell, R Hoffman	M Orford 4/7, C Smith 1/3		[16]
8 April	5	Penrith Panthers	CUA Stadium, Sydney	Lost	16	36	S Bell, A Chan, M King	M Orford 1/3, C Smith 1/1		[17]
16 April	6	Parramatta Eels	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Lost	14	26	G Inglis, M King, M Orford	C Smith 1/2, M Orford 0/1		[18]
24 April	7	Canberra Raiders	Canberra Stadium, Canberra	Won	46	10	M King (2), B Slater (2), M Geyer, S Hill, R Hoffman, J Webster	M Orford 4/5, C Smith 3/4		[19]
30 April	8	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Lost	10	30	P Robinson, D Scott	M Orford 1/2		[20]
6 May	9	Bye
14 May	10	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Aussie Stadium, Sydney	Won	38	12	G Turner (2), S Bell, A Chan, M Geyer, G Inglis, D Kidwell, M Orford	C Smith 3/8		[21]
21 May	11	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Lost	16	26	J Graham, R Kearns, D Kidwell	M Orford 2/3		[22]
29 May	12	St George Illawarra Dragons	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	24	16	M King, M Orford, C Smith, G Turner	M Orford 3/4, C Smith 1/1		[23]
5 June	13	Wests Tigers	Leichhardt Oval, Sydney	Won	30	14	B Slater (2), S Bell, M Geyer, J Webster	M Orford 3/3, C Smith 2/2		[24]
12 June	14	New Zealand Warriors	Ericsson Stadium, Auckland	Lost	16	24	M Geyer (2), C Cronk	M Orford 2/4		[25]
18 June	15	Penrith Panthers	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Lost	14	28	S Bell, M Geyer, M King	M Orford 1/3		[26]
25 June	16	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	48	6	B Slater (3), M Geyer (2), S Bell, D Kidwell, G Turner, J Webster	M Orford 4/7, C Smith 2/2		[27]
2 July	17	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Sydney Showground, Sydney	Won	33	6	G Inglis (2), B Slater (2), G Turner	M Orford 6/7	M Orford	[28]
9 July	18	Canberra Raiders	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	20	0	J Webster (2), S Bell	M Orford 2/3, C Smith 2/2		[29]
17 July	19	Brisbane Broncos	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane	Lost	15	28	D Johnson, M Orford	M Orford 3/4	M Orford	[30]
24 July	20	Sydney Roosters	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	24	10	D Johnson, D Kidwell, M King, B Slater	M Orford 3/4, C Smith 1/1		[31]
30 July	21	Newcastle Knights	EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle	Lost	18	37	C Cronk, D Scott, B Slater	M Orford 2/2, C Smith 1/1		[32]
6 August	22	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Toyota Park, Sydney	Lost	16	40	S Bell, A Kaufusi, J Webster	M Orford 1/1, C Smith 1/2		[33]
13 August	23	New Zealand Warriors	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	22	10	M King (2), M Orford, B Slater	M Orford 3/4		[34]
20 August	24	Bye
27 August	25	Wests Tigers	Olympic Park, Melbourne	Won	34	22	S Bell, M Geyer, G Inglis, A Kaufusi, M Orford, C Smith	M Orford 5/5, C Smith 0/1		[35]
3 September	26	North Queensland Cowboys	Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville	Lost	24	30	S Bell, R Hoffman, G Inglis, D Scott	M Orford 2/2, C Smith 4/5		[36]

Finals

Qualifying final 10 September 2005

Brisbane Broncos	18 - 24 [37]	Melbourne Storm
Tries: Scott Minto Brett Seymour Darren Smith Goals: Brett Seymour 3/4		Tries: Greg Inglis Matt King Billy Slater Jake Webster Goals: Matt Orford 2/2 Cameron Smith 2/2

Suncorp Stadium Attendance: 25,193 Referee: Steve Clark

---

Semi final 17 September 2005

Melbourne Storm	16 - 24 [38]	North Queensland Cowboys
Tries: Steven Bell Matt King Matt Orford Goals: Matt Orford 1/2 Cameron Smith 1/1		Tries: Ty Williams (2) Matt Bowen David Faiumu Goals Josh Hannay 2/3 Johnathan Thurston 2/2

Aussie Stadium Attendance: 16,801 Referee: Paul Simpkins

Ladder

2005 NRL season
Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Parramatta Eels	24	16	0	8	2	704	456	+248	36
2	St George Illawarra Dragons	24	16	0	8	2	655	510	+145	36
3	Brisbane Broncos	24	15	0	9	2	597	484	+113	34
4	Wests Tigers (P)	24	14	0	10	2	676	575	+101	32
5	North Queensland Cowboys	24	14	0	10	2	639	563	+76	32
6	Melbourne Storm	24	13	0	11	2	640	462	+178	30
7	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	24	12	0	12	2	550	564	-14	28
8	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	24	12	0	12	2	554	632	-78	28
9	Sydney Roosters	24	11	0	13	2	488	487	+1	26
10	Penrith Panthers	24	11	0	13	2	554	554	0	26
11	New Zealand Warriors	24	10	0	14	2	515	528	-13	24
12	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	24	9	1	14	2	472	670	-198	23
13	South Sydney Rabbitohs	24	9	1	14	2	482	700	-218	23
14	Canberra Raiders	24	9	0	15	2	465	606	-141	22
15	Newcastle Knights	24	8	0	16	2	467	667	-200	20

2005 Coaching Staff

• Head coach: Craig Bellamy^[39]
• Assistant coaches : Dean Lance, Michael Maguire & Peter Sharp^[40]
• Development coach: Marc Brentnall
• Strength and conditioning Coach: Alex Corvo
• Football Manager: Peter O'Sullivan

2005 squad

List current as of 28 September 2021

Cap [lower-alpha 1]	Nat.	Player name	Position	First Storm Game	Previous First Grade RL club [lower-alpha 2]
6		Scott Hill	FE, LK	1998	Hunter Mariners
10		Robbie Kearns	PR	1998	Perth Reds
18		Matt Geyer	WG	1998	Perth Reds
37		Glen Turner	SR	2000	Melbourne Storm
38		Peter Robinson	SR	2000	Melbourne Storm
43		Matt Orford	HB	2001	Northern Eagles
44		Steven Bell	CE	2001	Melbourne Storm
55		Cameron Smith (c)	HK	2002	Melbourne Storm
58		Billy Slater	FB	2003	Melbourne Storm
59		David Kidwell	SR, LK	2003	Sydney Roosters
60		Dallas Johnson	SR, LK	2003	Melbourne Storm
61		Jake Webster	WG	2003	Melbourne Storm
62		Ryan Hoffman	SR, LK	2003	Melbourne Storm
64		Robert Tanielu	PR	2003	Brisbane Broncos
67		Nathan Friend	HK	2003	Brisbane Broncos
68		Antonio Kaufusi	PR	2003	Melbourne Storm
69		Matt King	CE	2003	Melbourne Storm
71		Alex Chan	PR	2004	Parramatta Eels
72		Steve Turner	FB, WG	2004	Penrith Panthers
73		Cooper Cronk	HB	2004	Melbourne Storm
74		Jeremy Smith	LK	2004	Melbourne Storm
75		Dennis Scott	SR	2005	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
76		Brett White	PR	2005	Melbourne Storm
77		Ian Donnelly	PR	2005	Manly Sea Eagles
78		Jamie McDonald	PR	2005	North Queensland Cowboys
79		Greg Inglis	CE, FB	2005	Melbourne Storm
80		Jamie Feeney	SR, LK	2005	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
81		Josh Graham	CE	2005	Melbourne Storm
82		Tevita Metuisela	PR	2005	Sydney Roosters
-		Ryan Shortland	FE, CE	Yet to Debut	Melbourne Storm
-		Scott Anderson	PR	Yet to Debut	Melbourne Storm
-		Sam Tagataese	SR, PR	Yet to Debut	Melbourne Storm
-		Jeremiah Pai	FE, HB	Yet to Debut	New Zealand Warriors[lower-alpha 3]

Player movements

Representative honours

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2005.

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2005 NRL season.

• Statistics sources:^[41][42]

Feeder Teams

Under a new affiliation agreement, Melbourne split their reserve players between two feeder clubs during the 2005 season. The agreement with Norths Devils continued for an eighth season, with players who were dual-registered in Queensland travelling to Brisbane each week to play with in the Queensland Cup. Melbourne also formed an affiliation with foundation New South Wales Rugby League club North Sydney Bears for some players to play in the NSWRL Premier League.

In a repeat of the 2004 season, the Devils finished second on the ladder, but were bundled out of the finals in straight sets.

Coached by Gary Freeman, the Bears finished tenth and missed the finals, with Alex Chan, Ian Donnelly, Jamie Feeney and Tevita Metuisela attracting praise from Freeman for their efforts.^[43]

2005 Queensland Cup
Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	PD	Pts
2	Norths Devils	20	15	1	4	2	719	454	+265	31
2005 NSWRL Premier League
Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	PD	Pts
10	North Sydney Bears	24	9	1	14	2	604	686	-82	23

Awards and honours

Notes

References