Three stats to fix: Storm

Melbourne looked to be on track to challenge for the 2022 title with 11 wins in their opening 14 games but with injuries and a lack of discipline, Craig Bellamy's side slipped to fifth on the ladder. 

But if Ryan Papenhuyzen returns and the club's prized quartet is firing again, you should expect Melbourne to fix up any uncharacteristic stats that crept into their game for 2023.

jetwinvip.com looks at three areas the Storm can improve in their game to challenge for a title in 2023.

Defensive resolve

The Storm hadn't conceded more than 400 points in a season since 2014, highlighting how much they struggled to defend their line during matches in 2022. 

They gave up the second most amount of territory (5175 metres) behind Canterbury last year in their own 50-metre zone which in return put more pressure on their defensive line. 

Injuries played a massive part but overall the usually defensively sound side struggled to hold teams out. 

Craig Bellamy faces a challenge to get the side back to being a premiership contender statistically again this season, particularly with a host of departures and fresh faces.

Penalties

Melbourne's discipline was also part of the problem that led to their defensive woes with 168 penalties conceded last year the most in the competition.

Forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona equalled the most penalised player in the NRL last year alongside Bulldogs recruit Viliame Kikau, with 18 each.

Harry Grant was penalised on 17 occasions and Cameron Munster had 16 against him for the season.

If the Storm trio and team can bring that figure down it will relieve their own pressure and allow them to get into an arm wrestle with the opposition. 

Line engagement 

The Storm, led by their star halves, will want to get defensive lines guessing again after a season which saw their line engagement decline compared to their record-breaking 2021 season in attack. 

The change of some rules during the COVID-19 pandemic has seen some sides shift their focus and for the Storm to get back to their best they'll have to engage the opposition more and keep them guessing.

The Rabbitohs, Sharks, Roosters and Panthers all averaged over 18 per game in 2022 but the Storm fell short on with 13.7 on average, ranking them 12th in last year's competition.