Season Summary
- 15 January – The drawn-out battle over the services of Melbourne winger Steve Turner is finally resolved when new NRL team the Gold Coast Titans agree to release him from his contract. "It would have been devastating [to leave]," Turner said. "I feel like I’ve come all this way with the Storm and leaving now would have been really hard to handle." Storm rookies Smith Samau and Daniel Isaac are 'traded' to the Titans as compensation for the loss of Turner.[2]
- 3 March – In the club's first trial match played in metropolitan Melbourne, Storm thrash 2006 premiers Brisbane Broncos 46–0 in a well-attended game at the club's training base Princes Park.[2]
- Round 1 – Israel Folau becomes the youngest player to play for the club, making his debut at just 17 years and 347 days. Folau scores a try in a tight 18–16 win against Wests Tigers, with the goalkicking of Cameron Smith proving the difference on the scoreboard.[2]
- Round 5 – Melbourne get off to their best start to a season, winning their fifth straight game.
- Round 6 – Playing his second game in 24 hours, Cameron Smith scores a double and five goals in a commanding performance against Penrith Panthers.[2]
- 3 May – Craig Bellamy coaches the NSW Country representative team in the annual City vs Country Origin held in Coffs Harbour.
- Round 8 – Melbourne suffer their first loss of the season, going down 30–12 against Wests Tigers at Gosford.
- Round 10 – Despite the loss of five players to State of Origin duty, Melbourne trounce bottom-placed Sydney Roosters 26–2, holding the Roosters tryless.[2]
- Round 11 – In a top of the table clash at Brookvale Oval, former Storm halfback Matt Orford kicked the decisive field goal to give Manly Warringah Sea Eagles a dramatic 13–12 win over Melbourne. Coach Craig Bellamy could not fault the team's effort, but was critical of some options taken when the match was in the balance, saying "we were very brave, but very dumb".[2]
- Round 13 – In the lowest scoring game for 14 years, Melbourne score a late try to win 4–2 against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland. Missing nine regular players, including six on State of Origin duty, Melbourne trailed 2–0 for much of the game played in cold and wet conditions. Midseason signing Clint Newton made his debut for the club, becoming the 100th player to play for the club; while Matt Rua played his first NRL game since 2002.[2]
- Round 14 – Melbourne march to a 40–4 halftime lead against North Queensland Cowboys, going on to win 58–12, eclipsing the highest score posted by the club against the Cowboys. Matt Geyer scores his 100th NRL try, becoming the first Melbourne player to reach that milestone.
- 22 June – As part of the club's 10-year celebrations, a 17-man team of the decade is announced at a gala presentation held at The Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria.[3]
- Round 15 – Celebrating the club's 10th birthday with fireworks and cake postgame, Melbourne dominate St George Illawarra Dragons 28–6.
- 10 July – Crowd favourite Matt King announces he will be leaving Melbourne at the end of the season to join Super League club Warrington Wolves on a lucrative four-year deal.[2]
- Round 18 – Midseason signing Clint Newton scores a try against former club Newcastle Knights as Melbourne thrash Newcastle 44–0. Billy Slater, Steve Turner, and Anthony Quinn all score double in the big win, with Newton saying the victory was "sweet (to beat) someone that wasn't playing tonight" referring to Knights coach Brian Smith.[2]
- Round 20 – A poor attitude was blamed as Melbourne suffered a 26–16 defeat against the previously hapless Sydney Roosters, under caretaker coach Brad Fittler. Melbourne had rested Matt Geyer and Ryan Hoffman from the match.
- Round 21 – Behind 14-0 after 30 minutes, Cooper Cronk lands a late field goal to secure a 17–16 win over Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, with Sharks coach Ricky Stuart upset over various decisions by referee Paul Simpkins.[2]
- 8 August – Long-time Melbourne recruitment officer Peter O'Sullivan is poached by Sydney Roosters in a two-year deal worth $150,000 a season.[2]
- Round 22 – A 'grapple tackle' furore erupts after Melbourne's 14–6 win over Brisbane Broncos with Broncos captain Petero Civoniceva and coach Wayne Bennett particularly vocal in complaining.[2]
- Round 24 – Melbourne secure their second successive minor premiership with a dominant second half performance against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. The 38–6 win came with a hat-trick of tries to Israel Folau, who in doing so equaled the club record for tries for a season.
- Round 25 – Israel Folau scores his 21st try of the season as Melbourne thrash new club Gold Coast Titans 50–6 in the first meeting between the teams. The victory saw Melbourne finish the season with a perfect 12–0 record in games played at Olympic Park.
- Preliminary Final – Returning to Telstra Dome for the first time since 2001, Melbourne progress to their second successive NRL Grand Final with a 26–10 win over Parramatta Eels.
- 30 November – Cameron Smith is awarded the Golden Boot as the best player in the world.[4]
Milestone games
| Round | Player | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Anthony Quinn | Storm debut |
| Round 1 | Israel Folau | NRL debut |
| Round 1 | James Aubusson | NRL debut |
| Round 2 | Ryan Shortland | NRL debut |
| Round 2 | Brett White | 50th game |
| Round 3 | Cameron Smith | 100th game |
| Round 4 | Sam Tagataese | NRL debut |
| Round 5 | Russell Aitken | Storm debut |
| Round 7 | Antonio Kaufusi | 50th game |
| Round 10 | Will Chambers | NRL debut |
| Round 10 | Sika Manu | NRL debut |
| Round 10 | Scott Anderson | NRL debut |
| Round 12 | Garret Crossman | 50th game |
| Round 13 | Clint Newton | Storm debut |
| Round 14 | Matt Geyer | 100th NRL try |
| Round 18 | Steve Turner | 50th game |
| Round 19 | Ryan Hoffman | 100th game |
| Round 19 | Dallas Johnson | 100th game |
| Round 21 | Billy Slater | 100th game |
| Round 21 | Ben Cross | 50th game |
| Round 25 | Greg Inglis | 50th game |
Jerseys
Continuing with apparel manufacturer Reebok, the designs of Melbourne's home and clash jerseys were unchanged from 2006.
