By David Nagel
Melbourne Storm players completed one of their final acts for 2024 on Saturday morning with an open training session at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve in Officer.
Just 10 weeks on from their 14-6 NRL grand final loss to Penrith; Storm players were out in force for a four-hour training session that kept hundreds of fans entertained by their heroes.
Comely Banks – the home of the Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club – was in magnificent condition, being one of only two rugby league facilities in Victoria capable of hosting such an event.
All four Melbourne Storm squads, NRL – Under 21, Under 19, and Under 17 – were in attendance, having their own field to train on with the facility at Comely Banks consisting of four full-size pitches.
Popular players for fans included reigning Dally M Medal winner Jerome Hughes, live-wire full back Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Nick Meaney and Jack Howarth.
Another popular figure was Storm up-and-comer Atticus Buchanan, who recently became the first Pakenham Eels player to be selected for a pathways program with the Melbourne Storm.
Having survived a cut of 160 hopefuls to just 38 from across Victoria, Buchanan is hopeful of making the final 28-player squad for the NRL Under-17 competition; the Harold Matthews Cup.
