Why the Storm want to “put a line” through 2024 minor premiership trophy

Melbourne Storm GM of Football Frank Ponissi says the club is putting their minor premiership to the side as a bigger prize awaits in the finals series.

The Storm wrapped up the minor premiership last week and were presented the JJ Giltinan Shield on Wednesday at AAMI Park for their achievements.

Ponissi says it was a great opportunity for the club to celebrate their work in the regular season as the real work in finals begins now following their 12-50 final-round victory over the Broncos on Thursday.

“Ideally, we would have loved to have that trophy presented at a home game, but our last two games have been away after we won it,” Ponissi said on SEN Afternoons.

“I think it was a great opportunity for the club - not just the players that play, but I think the entire club … it’s a full club effort to win it.

“It was a great morning when Andrew Abdo came down and presented the minor premiership trophy and everyone could be part of it because it was a real club effort.

“But the other thing too is that we now want to put a line through that minor premiership, and whilst we're really proud of it and we'll display that trophy somewhere proudly in the office, that's done now.

“It’s the next trophy we’re really after. Our attention’s on that winning that next trophy.”

While it’s the Storm’s sixth minor premiership since 2011 and third since 2019, the last two times they’ve finished on top (2019 and 2021), they’ve failed to make the Grand Final.

Ponissi says that the club is hellbent on changing that in 2024.

“The last couple of times we’ve won the minor premiership we’ve failed to make the Grand Final,” Ponissi said.

“I think that stays in your memory and I think that's probably why it's just kept their enthusiasm and excitement about winning the minor premiership just low-key.

“I just think it's knowing what's ahead of us and what we could have the opportunity to win, which is what really excites them

“We certainly don't take it for granted because it's a really important thing to be minor premiers after so many games.

“But the players know exactly what's ahead and that's what their major focus is on.”

The Storm appear most likely to face Cronulla in a Qualifying Final in the first week of the NRL finals.