One of the underrated backroom figures in the sustained consistency of the Melbourne Storm, Frank Ponissi has seen it all.
As General Manager of Football of the Storm, he is often at the forefront of media articles and involved in presiding over the football department.
Ponissi’s new deal will bring his Storm career to an impressive 18 years of service.
The club is under no illusions as to the role that Ponissi has played in their success.
“Frank has been a pivotal figure at Storm since his arrival 14 years ago and has presided over a football department which has experienced on-going success despite all the challenges the game throws at them,” Storm CEO Justin Rodski said.
“We are very fortunate to have a person of Frank’s calibre leading this important area of our club.”
Ponissi has been around for much of the time that Craig Bellamy has been coach, a partnership that has flourished in their time together.
“His long-term partnership with coach Craig Bellamy is unmatched in recent NRL history and between them, they have driven a strong club culture that has been a key factor in the club’s development on and off the field,” Rodski continued.
The man himself was excited to stay on at the Storm, with Ponissi adding that the role remains a good fit for him and his family.
“I am genuinely very excited to extend my time here at the Melbourne Storm,” Ponissi said.
“My family and I are heavily invested emotionally in both the club and the city of Melbourne and we are looking forward to the next four years.