Speculation about the future of Storm utility Ryan Hinchcliffe can now cease, with the 100-gamer signing a new deal with the club until the end of the 2016 NRL season.
To go with the Hinchcliffe re-signing, the Melbourne Storm also re-signed prop Siosaia Vave, winger Sisa Waqa, and young forwards Mitchell Garbutt and Kenneath Bromwich.
With the Storm keen to retain their current crop of players, it cements their impressive retention policy – with Frank Ponissi, the General Manager of the Melbourne Storm saying that the re-signing of Hinchcliffe was an important one for the club.
“The re-signing of Ryan is as important as any other player signed by Storm in recent memory,†Ponissi said.
“To say we are pleased is an understatement.
“Hinchy had a very difficult decision to make and the fact he has committed his long-term future to the club is a tremendous show of faith by him.â€
Ponissi was also pleased that the club has kept two of their form prop forwards in Siosaia Vave and Jason Ryles, with both players performing well for the Storm.
“Craig has been really pleased with performance of our front row this season,†Ponissi said.
“It’s an area we have experienced significant turnover in over the last couple of years, so stability was a focus in our retention strategy.â€
In addition to also re-signing youngsters Mitch Garbutt and Kenneath Bromwich, the Storm signed Newcastle U20’s fullback, Kurt Mann, on a 3-year deal.
“Kurt is a very talented player and is enjoying a good season with the Knights. We have signed him with an eye on the future and his long-term career.
“We are looking forward to Kurt joining the full time NRL squad in November.â€