Melbourne Storm

Felise Kaufusi, the Bromwich brothers and Brandon Smith will all depart after the 2022 season, joining the Dolphins and the Roosters respectively.

The Storm have already lost Nicho Hynes, Dale Finucane, Josh Addo-Carr, Max King, Brenko Lee, Aaron Pene and Aaron Booth this season but have welcomed Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Josh King, William Warbrick and Jayden Nikorima to the club.

Bellamy has never lost in the opening round of an NRL season since his appointment in 2003 but he will have a number of key players missing this year.

The Storm have been the dominant team of the last decade.

Since 2010 - the year they couldn't accrue competition points as punishment for the salary cap scandal - they've never finished lower than sixth on the NRL ladder, and have won five minor premierships and three grand finals.

As comes naturally with being at the top of the perch, rival clubs have attempted time and again to pick the eyes out of the perennial powerhouse, but largely failed.

Less than a week after landing the key signature of the Melbourne Storm front rower Jesse Bromwich, the Dolphins are now aiming to turn the Bromwich brothers into a package deal for 2023.

Kenny Bromwich, 31, has played 192 NRL games since debuting for the Melbourne Storm in 2013 and was part of the purple reign 2017 and 2020 premiership-winning sides.

It can be revealed two-time NRL premiership Storm prop and New Zealand international Nelson Asofa-Solomona is set to join the Japanese League One competition ahead of the 2023 season.

It is understood he will join Japanese powerhouse Panasonic Wild Knights, who are mentored by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

But as the 2m, 130kg giant prepares to say sayonara to rugby league, Rugby Australia are keeping a close eye on his movements and could yet offer him a short-term deal.

Lumelume’s father was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, which was the major reasons for the Fijian international’s move back to Sydney.

The Melbourne Storm soon released Lumelume from the club so that he’d be able to be closer with family, friends and more specifically his father.

Since his arrival in Sydney the former Storm winger has been training with the Bulldogs, but is yet to sign with due to a full roster.

The NRL Integrity unit is aware of the incident after they were informed by the Storm on Thursday.

“Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the club made the decision to stand down Kamikamica, pending his plea in response to the allegations, the NRL Integrity Unit investigation and the club concluding a formal, in-person interview with Kamikamica, who remains out of state,” the club said in a statement.

“This will take place next week. Storm believes firmly that there is no place in the game or society for violence against women at any time, in any circumstance.”

But bring up the prospect of two weeks on a suburban building site and the 20-year-old is quick to admit he has some concerns.

The Queensland origin outside back has arrived in his new city and already feels part of the team, following the support of Justin Olam and the good fortune of one of his best mates also joining the club in Cole Geyer, son of club great Matt Geyer.

With the countdown to November 1 only one week away, rival clubs are sharpening their pencils to make a play to land the signature of one of the NRL’s most versatile forwards.

Smith’s agent Stan Martin intends to email all 16 NRL clubs on Monday directing them to submit their best offer for the Melbourne Storm forward.

And Smith’s post-season one match suspension and $15,000 fine for the white powder video has done nothing to dissuade rival clubs from lining up to sign the Storm star.

“We got what we deserved and Penrith got what they deserved,” he said.

Ivan Cleary's men will go in search of the club's first premiership since 2003 when they tackle Souths in Brisbane next Sunday after a committed defensive effort restricted the Storm to their lowest score of the season.

The Panthers took the early advantage when Nathan Cleary laid on a try for Stephen Crichton in the third minute with a pinpoint cross field kick out of dummy half.

The Storm lost Christian Welch and Brandon Smith to failed HIAs early in the game and committed 10 errors in a poor opening stanza as Penrith seized control.