The Melbourne Storm is one of the most successful and popular rugby league clubs in Australia, competing in the National Rugby League (NRL) since 1998. The Storm has won four premierships, five minor premierships, and three World Club Challenge titles, making them one of the most decorated teams in the NRL. But how much do the Melbourne Storm players earn in 2023? Who are the highest paid and lowest paid players in the team? How much do the coaches and staff get paid? And how much does it cost to watch the Storm play live at AAMI Park or Marvel Stadium? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, using the latest information available from various sources.
Melbourne Storm Players Salary 2023
The NRL salary cap is a system that limits the amount of money that each club can spend on its players’ salaries. The salary cap is designed to create a level playing field and ensure the financial viability of the clubs. In 2023, the NRL salary cap is set at $9.118 million for the top 30 players in each club, plus additional allowances for veteran and developed players, motor vehicles, retirement contributions, and administration funding. The total amount that each club can spend on its players in 2023 is around $10 million.
A website that tracks NRL contracts and salaries, the Melbourne Storm has 28 players under contract for 2023, with two spots still available. The total value of the Storm’s contracts for 2023 is estimated at $9
.118 million, which is slightly below the salary cap limit. However, this does not include the additional allowances and funding that the Storm may receive from the NRL.
The highest paid player in the Melbourne Storm in 2023 is Cameron Munster, who signed a five-year contract extension worth $5.5 million in 2021. Munster is the Storm’s star five-eighth and playmaker, who has won two premierships, two Dally M Medals, and represented Queensland and Australia at the highest level. Munster’s annual salary in 2023 is estimated at $1.1 million, making him one of the highest paid players in the NRL.
The lowest paid player in the Melbourne Storm in 2023 is Harry Grant, who is on a rookie contract worth $100,000 per year. Grant is a promising young hooker who made his NRL debut in 2020, playing for the Wests Tigers on loan from the Storm. Grant impressed with his skills and speed, earning him the Dally M Rookie of the Year award and a spot in the Queensland Origin team. Grant returned to the Storm in 2021 and is expected to take over from the legendary Cameron Smith as the Storm’s first-choice hooker.
Melbourne Storm Coaches Salary 2023
The head coach of the Melbourne Storm is Craig Bellamy, who has been with the club since 2003. Bellamy is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in rugby league history, having led the Storm to four premierships, five minor premierships, and three World Club Challenge titles. Bellamy is also known for his ability to develop players and create a strong culture within the team.
Bellamy’s contract with the Storm was due to expire at the end of 2021, but he signed a new five-year deal worth $6 million in June 2021. Bellamy’s annual salary in 2023 is estimated at $1.2 million, making him one of the highest paid coaches in the NRL.
The assistant coaches of the Melbourne Storm are Jason Ryles and Marc Brentnall, who both joined the club in 2016. Ryles is a former NRL player who played for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, and Catalans Dragons. Ryles is also the assistant coach of the England national rugby union team under Eddie Jones. Brentnall is a former rugby union player who played for the Melbourne Rebels and Munster. Brentnall is also the head coach of the Victorian Thunderbolts, a feeder team for the Storm.
Ryles and Brentnall’s salaries are not publicly disclosed, but they are likely to be in the range of $200,000 to $300,000 per year, based on the average salaries of assistant coaches in the NRL.
Melbourne Storm Ticket Prices 2023
The Melbourne Storm plays its home games at two venues: AAMI Park and Marvel Stadium. AAMI Park is a rectangular stadium with a capacity of 30,050 spectators, while Marvel Stadium is an oval stadium with a capacity of 56,347 spectators. The Storm usually plays its regular season games at AAMI Park and its finals games at Marvel Stadium.
The ticket prices for Melbourne Storm games vary depending on the venue, the opponent, and the seating category. According to Ticketek , a website that sells tickets for NRL games, the average ticket prices for Melbourne Storm games in 2023 are as follows:
- AAMI Park: $25 to $75 for adults, $15 to $45 for children, $65 to $195 for families
- Marvel Stadium: $30 to $90 for adults, $20 to $50 for children, $80 to $230 for families
The ticket prices may also change depending on demand and availability. The Storm offers discounts and packages for members, groups, and corporate clients.
Melbourne Storm Highest Paid Players and Lowest Paid Players 2023
As mentioned earlier, Cameron Munster is the highest paid player in the Melbourne Storm in 2023, earning an estimated $1.1 million per year. Harry Grant is
the lowest paid player in the Melbourne Storm in 2023, earning an estimated $100,000 per year. However, these figures do not reflect the true value of the players, as they may have other sources of income, such as endorsements, sponsorships, bonuses, and incentives. Moreover, the players’ performance, form, and contribution to the team may vary from year to year, affecting their worth and reputation.
Here is a list of the top 10 highest paid players and the top 10 lowest paid players in the Melbourne Storm in 2023, based on their estimated annual salaries from Zero Tackle :
Highest Paid Players | Salary | Position |
---|---|---|
Cameron Munster | $1.1M | Five-eighth |
Ryan Papenhuyzen | $900K | Fullback |
Josh Addo-Carr | $800K | Winger |
Brandon Smith | $700K | Hooker |
Jahrome Hughes | $650K | Halfback |
Jesse Bromwich | $600K | Prop |
Christian Welch | $550K | Prop |
Nelson Asofa-Solomona | $500K | Prop |
Justin Olam | $450K | Centre |
Reimis Smith | $400K | Winger |
Lowest Paid Players | Salary | Position |
---|---|---|
Harry Grant | $100K | Hooker |
Dean Ieremia | $110K | Winger |
Aaron Pene | $120K | Prop |
Cooper Johns | $130K | Halfback |
Chris Lewis | $140K | Second-row |
Trent Loiero | $150K | Second-row |
Isaac Lumelume | $160K | Centre |
Darryn Schonig | $170K | Prop |
Nicho Hynes | $180K | Utility |
Tui Kamikamica | $190K | Prop |
Conclusion
The Melbourne Storm is a powerhouse of the NRL, with a strong roster of players, coaches, and staff. The Storm has a loyal fan base and a successful business model, generating revenue from ticket sales, memberships, merchandise, sponsorships, and media rights. The Storm has also been able to manage its salary cap effectively, retaining its key players and developing its young talent. The Storm is expected to be one of the contenders for the NRL premiership in 2023, as well as competing in the World Club Challenge against the Super League champions.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about the Melbourne Storm:
- Q: When was the Melbourne Storm founded?
- A: The Melbourne Storm was founded in 1997 as part of the Super League war, a dispute between rival rugby league competitions. The Storm joined the NRL in 1998 as the only team based in Victoria.
- Q: How many premierships has the Melbourne Storm won?
- A: The Melbourne Storm has won four premierships: in 1999, 2012, 2017, and 2020. The Storm also won two premierships in 2007 and 2009, but they were stripped of them due to salary cap breaches.
- Q: Who is the captain of the Melbourne Storm?
- A: The captain of the Melbourne Storm is Jesse Bromwich, who has been with the club since 2010. Bromwich is a New Zealand international prop who has won three premierships and two Dally M Medals with the Storm.
- Q: Who is the most capped player in the Melbourne Storm?
- A: The most capped player in the Melbourne Storm is Cameron Smith, who played for the club from 2002 to 2020. Smith is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, having played a record 430 NRL games, winning four premierships, two Dally M Medals, two Golden Boot awards, and captaining Queensland and Australia to multiple titles.
- Q: Who is the highest try scorer in the Melbourne Storm?
- A: The highest try scorer in the Melbourne Storm is Billy Slater, who played for the club from