THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V STORM
Marked by nearly two decades of overachievement followed by the longest losing streak in modern history, this is arguably the Warriors' most storied rivalry.
For the best part of two decades, the Warriors crafted a well-deserved reputation as a bogey side for perennial contenders Melbourne – particularly at the Storm’s home grounds. The teams staged many dramatic clashes, none more so than the Warriors’ twin finals triumphs in the Victorian capital. But the Storm have taken total control of the rivalry over the past 10 years, putting together a record-breaking winning run.
Overall record: Played 53 – Melbourne won 35, Warriors won 16, draws 2; Melbourne scored 1,346 points, Warriors scored 787 points.
Biggest wins: Melbourne – 70-10 at AAMI Park, 2022; Warriors – 28-12 at Olympic Park, 2002.
Longest winning streaks: Melbourne – 17 matches (2016-23); Warriors – 2 matches (5 times – 1998, 2002, 2008, 2010-11 and 2013-14).
Finals: Played 2 – Warriors won 2.
Most appearances: Cameron Smith (Melbourne) – 33; Cooper Cronk (Melbourne) – 27; Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne and Warriors) – 26; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 25; Billy Slater (Melbourne) – 24; Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne) – 21; Matt Geyer (Melbourne) – 21; Lance Hohaia (Warriors) – 20.
Most tries: Billy Slater (Melbourne) – 16; Matt Geyer (Melbourne) – 13; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 11; Will Chambers (Melbourne) – 11; Xavier Coates (Melbourne) – 8; Ken Maumalo (Warriors) – 8; Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne) – 8.
Most points: Cameron Smith (Melbourne) – 200; Nick Meaney (Melbourne) – 68; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 64; Billy Slater (Melbourne) – 64; Matt Geyer (Melbourne) – 62; Matt Orford (Melbourne) – 58; Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne) – 52; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 44; Will Chambers (Storm) – 44.
1998-2005 – Struggling Auckland Warriors spring upsets amidst the thrashings
Melbourne’s dream start to its maiden season was halted by an embattled Auckland outfit that had won just one of its opening four matches, crashing to its first loss 16-12 at Mt Smart Stadium in Round 5 of 1998. Two months later, the 14th-placed Warriors inflicted the ladder-leading Storm’s second of just two regular-season home defeats.
Round 16, 1998 – Auckland steals win in madcap finish
A wildly fluctuating contest concluded with one of premiership football’s most incredible after-the-siren victories. Melbourne halfback Brett Kimmorley appeared to wrap up a tense contest for the competition front-runners at Olympic Park with a field goal two minutes from fulltime,
