Nerves are gone but will Meaney crash the Staggs party

Since moving to Melbourne in 2022 and getting his hands on the No.4 jersey last year, Nick Meaney has become a player moulded by the Storm system - tactical, in control and calm.

But the 28-year-old admits nerves got hold of him going into last year's decider against the Panthers.

This year, as he faces the task of taking on a red-hot Broncos right edge featuring Dally M Centre of the Year Kotoni Staggs and fullback Reece Walsh, his focus is on remaining calm in the cauldron.

As he lines up for career game number 159 and his 94th in Storm colours, his focus is on pouring water on the emotions that come in the week leading up to the grand final, so he can be better equipped to quell the Broncos’ attack.

“I probably feel a bit calmer compared to last year,” he told NRL.com.

Last year, it was my first time in a grand final and nerves were high. This year, I feel a lot more comfortable and confident in our game and what we can do

“It starts just right now, here during the week, staying calm and not doing anything differently. Don't overthink it. There's a lot of emotions flowing and a lot of things we need to get done, but the more we can focus on just football side of things helps.

“I don't think my game's too wild. I try to be in control of everything and be really tactical. So, I'll just stick to that.”

One of Meaney’s key roles in the preliminary final against the Sharks was protecting halfback Jahrome Hughes, who returned to the park 22 days after fracturing his forearm.

The 28-year-old made 20 tackles on Friday at over 95% efficiency. By comparison, Jack Howarth - his partner in the centres - only made eight.

He will no doubt be called into action again on Sunday as the Broncos may look to target Hughes in attack.

“Even in normal games when he [Hughes] doesn't have a broken arm, we tend to swap roles a bit, just to give him a break and get me in the tackles and closer to the action,” Meaney said.

“We probably did it a little bit more than usual against the Sharks, but he's confident in his arm - it wasn't like he was going hiding.

"It was more like get me in there and do a bit more tackling and then switch back later in the set. I'd drop back to centre, and he get back to his spot.

“Whether it might be a bit less this week or a bit more, I'm not sure. As long as we're all confident in tackling, then that's all that matters.”

The preliminary final saw the Storm’s full-strength spine together for only the eighth time this season, and what could be considered a first-choice 17 selected for only the second time.

Meaney said it was a good feeling for everyone to have their key men back at just the right time.

“Obviously, we've had a bit of a disrupted year, but as long as they're on the same page on the field, that's going to help the team,” he said.

“To have Will Warbrick back on the right, in a good mind frame, and physically right up there in a good spot as well – the whole edge back together, same as last grand final last year – it’s a good feeling.

“The spine, they're all locked in between the ears, and their bodies are where they need to be come Sunday.”

Click here to read article