SG Ball success highlights pathways growth

Melbourne Storm’s SG Ball U19 side have delivered their best season on record, finishing the 2025 campaign as semi-finalists and highlighting the growth of the Club’s pathway program.

In its second year following the launch in late 2023, the ‘Road to AAMI Park’ pathways program has seen significant growth and local representation, with 19 of the 34 SG Ball squad members hailing from Victoria.

In 2025, Matt Duffie’s SG Ball squad finished the regular season in eighth position with five wins from their nine games and a +74 points differential. The team only lost four games for the season with two of those defeats coming by just four points.

Inspired by team leaders and standout performers, in particular hooker Lockyer-Azile Foliola and prop Cooper Clarke, Storm defeated the Illawarra Steelers 36-16 in the first week of the finals in Wollongong.

In week two, Duffie’s side travelled to play the undefeated Minor Premiers, the Parramatta Eels in Penrith, bravely going down 24-12. With several key players unavailable due to injury, coupled with a delayed flight on game day, the team fought back from a 16-4 half-time deficit, to finish just short of a place in the Preliminary Final.

The Semi-Final squad featured nine local Victorian pathway players, including six players who were part of Storm’s inaugural Harrold Matthews U17 team in 2024. Storm Junior Academy players and members of the Sunshine Coast Academy program also featured for the U19 outfit throughout the season.

Led by Duffie in his first year as Head Coach, the SG Ball program was supported by a dedicated group of coaches, performance staff and club volunteers, who are predominantly from Melbourne.

Commenting on their 2025 success, Duffie was proud of the entire program’s efforts across the course of the year.

“I’m super proud of our playing group and our coaches and staff, who have been amazing all season. We lost our first two games of the year and things could have easily gone a different way. But the players kept showing up, ripping into training, working hard and maintaining belief,” Duffie said.

“It’s been a huge journey, starting back in November 2024, but we’ve loved every minute and I’m hugely grateful to everyone for their dedication and hard work. It’s been a huge team effort and makes things even more exciting heading into 2026.”

Throughout the season, the SG Ball squad received strong support from the senior NRL team, including regular messages of encouragement. On the eve of the Finals, Club Captain Harry Grant addressed the team, sharing insights from his own experience in Finals and offering valuable lessons for the young players to take forward.

General Manager of Football, Frank Ponissi added his thoughts, highlighting the hard work and commitment by players and staff to make the 2025 season a success.

“We’re immensely proud of our SG Ball achievements this season and the impressive improvements they’ve made. Their preparation and training intensity has been outstanding, and we’ve been extremely pleased with the way they have conducted themselves on and off the field,” Ponissi said.

“The players have demonstrated their tremendous potential and we’re incredibly excited for what the future holds for their development at senior level, and the continued growth of rugby league throughout Melbourne and Victoria.”

Eligible SG Ball players will now get their opportunity in Storm’s Jersey Flegg U21 squad who have started their 2025 season with five wins from their first seven games.

Players eligible for SG Ball selection in 2026 (17 players from the 2025 squad) will join Storm’s Hurricanes Squad in preparation for a proposed tour to South-East Queensland in September.

Originally published on melbournestorm.com.au