Latest news with #FrankPonissi
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
InZane Rugby League - is Peter Wallace set to be Mal Meninga's protege?
On InZane Rugby League this week - Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams are joined by Melbourne Storm General Manager of Football and NSW Head of High Performance Frank Ponissi to preview Origin 2 and discuss the likelihood of the club retaining their stars from the threat of the Perth Bears. Ponissi says he has a soft spot for the Bears as a former football boss at the club but does not want them to pillage the Storm like the Dolphins did in 2023. He said Melbourne is willing to discuss roster management with Mal Meninga to ensure the Bear's success but not at the expense of the Storm's playing list. Zane and Sam also discussed the coach Mal Meninga is chasing to be his protege, the changes Billy Slater made to Queensland for Game 2 and the weekend's magic moment in Canberra when Josh Papalii scored two tries and kicked a conversion in his record-breaking 319th match for the Raiders.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Impressive individual': Titans exit confirmed as Josiah Pahulu makes shock switch to the Storm
The Storm has snared highly touted front-rower Josiah Pahulu from the Titans for the next two seasons, with the in-demand forward to make the move to Melbourne immediately as he eyes more opportunities in the NRL. Pahulu's future became a major talking point at the end of 2024 after the club's rookie of the year sought an immediate release to join the Bulldogs following reports the Titans rested him in the final round to prevent him from earning a cash bonus. The club blocked any potential move at the time, but he's now on his way to the Storm after playing 22 matches on the Gold Coast. 'The Titans can confirm Josiah Pahulu has been granted an early release,' a club statement read. 'The club and Pahulu have been in discussions for some time but were unable to reach an agreement. 'In the best interests of both parties, Pahulu has been granted a release effective immediately. 'He won't be available for selection this round and will join his new club this week.' Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi is confident Pahulu will add some starch to the team's middle forward rotation that lost veteran Christian Welch before the start of the season after he retired. 'Josiah is a talented young footballer and an impressive individual,' Ponissi said. 'He's a dynamic young forward who has already shown impressive potential early in his NRL career. 'We're confident he'll make a strong impact and be a valuable addition to the talented group of emerging middle forwards in our squad and coming through our pathways program. 'We're excited to see what Josiah can achieve in Melbourne and delighted to welcome him to the club.'
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi says not picking his team to go to Las Vegas was a missed opportunity and a 'kick in the guts'
Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi has lashed the NRL after his team was overlooked for the season-opener in Las Vegas in 2026 describing the decision as a 'kick in the guts' for the club and rugby league in Victoria. The Storm were one of the frontrunners to participate in this year's season-opening excursion to America but withdrew their application last June so they could focus their preparations closer to home. They were again one of the favourites to be involved in 2026, but they've missed out with the Bulldogs, Dragons, Cowboys and Knights chosen to compete, with a Super League clash to round out the triple treat of action which won't feature a women's match this time around. The Storm are one of the most successful sporting clubs in the country and have attracted a couple of sellout crowds at home already this season, with the competition heavyweights coming off a thumping 64-0 win over the Wests Tigers. The Vegas trip is a chance to grow the game on the global stage, and Ponissi and the club are disappointed the Storm haven't been given the chance to do it in what will be the third year of taking games to Allegiant Stadium. 'I can't sugar-coat it, it was a kick in the guts for the club and the game down here in Victoria,' Ponissi said on SEN. 'Given the profile of the game and the media surrounding it and the way it's started, it would have been fantastic (to be heading over there). 'To miss out again is disappointing for the club and the game in Victoria. 'We've just got to swallow our pride and not feel sorry for ourselves because we've got more important things to worry about this year. 'It would've been nice, but we can't dwell on it and we've got to move on and make sure we have a really good Origin period over the next six weeks.' While no official reason has been provided, Ponissi said the club must move on ahead of a challenging game against the Sharks on Saturday where skipper Harry Grant is expected to return from injury. 'I think they were keen to get a Queensland team and the three NSW teams,' he said. 'We're not going to agree with everything from the NRL and whatever the decision is, but the most important thing is we got the decision the other day. 'We're disappointed and we've moved on. It's fish and chip paper.'
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi says not picking his team to go to Las Vegas was a missed opportunity and a 'kick in the guts'
Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi has lashed the NRL after his team was overlooked for the season-opener in Las Vegas in 2026 describing the decision as a 'kick in the guts' for the club and rugby league in Victoria. The Storm were one of the frontrunners to participate in this year's season-opening excursion to America but withdrew their application last June so they could focus their preparations closer to home. They were again one of the favourites to be involved in 2026, but they've missed out with the Bulldogs, Dragons, Cowboys and Knights chosen to compete, with a Super League clash to round out the triple treat of action which won't feature a women's match this time around. The Storm are one of the most successful sporting clubs in the country and have attracted a couple of sellout crowds at home already this season, with the competition heavyweights coming off a thumping 64-0 win over the Wests Tigers. The Vegas trip is a chance to grow the game on the global stage, and Ponissi and the club are disappointed the Storm haven't been given the chance to do it in what will be the third year of taking games to Allegiant Stadium. 'I can't sugar-coat it, it was a kick in the guts for the club and the game down here in Victoria,' Ponissi said on SEN. 'Given the profile of the game and the media surrounding it and the way it's started, it would have been fantastic (to be heading over there). 'To miss out again is disappointing for the club and the game in Victoria. 'We've just got to swallow our pride and not feel sorry for ourselves because we've got more important things to worry about this year. 'It would've been nice, but we can't dwell on it and we've got to move on and make sure we have a really good Origin period over the next six weeks.' While no official reason has been provided, Ponissi said the club must move on ahead of a challenging game against the Sharks on Saturday where skipper Harry Grant is expected to return from injury. 'I think they were keen to get a Queensland team and the three NSW teams,' he said. 'We're not going to agree with everything from the NRL and whatever the decision is, but the most important thing is we got the decision the other day. 'We're disappointed and we've moved on. It's fish and chip paper.'
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
‘Kick in the guts': Storm rage over Vegas snub
Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi has lashed the NRL after his team was overlooked for the season-opener in Las Vegas in 2026 describing the decision as a 'kick in the guts' for the club and rugby league in Victoria. The Storm were one of the frontrunners to participate in this year's season-opening excursion to America but withdrew their application last June so they could focus their preparations closer to home. They were again one of the favourites to be involved in 2026, but they've missed out with the Bulldogs, Dragons, Cowboys and Knights chosen to compete, with a Super League clash to round out the triple treat of action which won't feature a women's match this time around. The Storm are one of the most successful sporting clubs in the country and have attracted a couple of sellout crowds at home already this season, with the competition heavyweights coming off a thumping 64-0 win over the Wests Tigers. The Vegas trip is a chance to grow the game on the global stage, and Ponissi and the club are disappointed the Storm haven't been given the chance to do it in what will be the third year of taking games to Allegiant Stadium. 'I can't sugar-coat it, it was a kick in the guts for the club and the game down here in Victoria,' Ponissi said on SEN. 'Given the profile of the game and the media surrounding it and the way it's started, it would have been fantastic (to be heading over there). 'To miss out again is disappointing for the club and the game in Victoria. 'We've just got to swallow our pride and not feel sorry for ourselves because we've got more important things to worry about this year. Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga and North Queensland Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter are going to Las Vegas next year. PHOTO: NRL Credit: News Corp Australia 'It would've been nice, but we can't dwell on it and we've got to move on and make sure we have a really good Origin period over the next six weeks.' While no official reason has been provided, Ponissi said the club must move on ahead of a challenging game against the Sharks on Saturday where skipper Harry Grant is expected to return from injury. 'I think they were keen to get a Queensland team and the three NSW teams,' he said. 'We're not going to agree with everything from the NRL and whatever the decision is, but the most important thing is we got the decision the other day. 'We're disappointed and we've moved on. It's fish and chip paper.'
