Two Sunshine Coast talents could make their NRL debuts after being named on an extended bench for Melbourne’s season opener against South Sydney on Thursday.
Tyson Smoothy and Trent Loiero – Kawana Dolphins and Sunshine Coast Falcons products – are in the Storm’s 21-man line-up for the clash at AAMI Park.
It’s been a rapid rise for Smoothy, who is considered a genuine chance of playing against the Rabbitohs after impressing in the pre-season.
The 20-year-old was invited to a six-week train and trial experience with the NRL reigning premiers during the pre-season and has remained there after catching the eyes of coach Craig Bellamy and officials.
With Storm No.9 Harry Grant on the injury list, Smoothy could replace likely starting hooker Brandon Smith during their season opener, or play as a lock if needed.
“I think it’s a great example of reward for effort,” Falcons coach Sam Mawhinney said of his selection in the squad.
“He’s worked really hard and all the things that come his way are deserved.”
Smoothy has the attributes to make an impression on the big stage.
“He brings reliability and consistency,” Mawhinney said.
“His best and worst games are very close, and he’s got a really calm head.
“He doesn’t get too flustered and he’s tough and skilful.”
Smoothy showed promise as a junior at Kawana and earned state honours in youth teams, captaining the Queensland under-18s in 2017. He was also part of the Broncos academy.
He claimed man-of-the-match honours for the victorious Falcons’ Colts team in the grand final of the state under-20 competition in 2019.
Remarkably, he has only played two games in the Queensland Cup.
He impressed in one match in 2019, when he was behind Grant for most of the season and he produced another strong showing in the Falcons’ first game of 2020, before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
He spent several weeks of the 2020 pre-season with Penrith Panthers on a train and trial contract and was invited to play for their feeder team in the New South Wales Cup during that season, but he opted to return to the Storm-affiliated Falcons instead.
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A 2021 pre-season invitation came from Melbourne and he’s made the most of it.
“We (the Falcons) send players there and the Storm set the same standard for train and trial guys as they do for their NRL squad, and it’s up to the individuals to do the rest, and Tyson has clearly done that,” Mawhinney said.
“It’s great recognition for him and whether it (a debut) comes to fruition or not, it just shows that he’s moving in the right direction and that he’s valued by the Storm.
“It’s nice to see the attributes we value are what Melbourne values as well.”
Loiero appears less likely to get game time this weekend but his elevation to the extended line-up shows he’s in the mix at the Storm.
The 20-year-old joined the club over a year ago and played Nines for them during the 2020 preseason, after playing for the Queensland under-18 team and debuting for the Falcons in 2019.
“He trained with the Storm in the bubble all last year,” Falcons CEO Chris Flannery said.
“It’s great to see him named in the 21.
“Since he’s been at the Storm he’s learned a lot. He’s a really good line runner on the edges and he’s put on a stack of weight and has toughened up his defence.
“He has that rangy mould the Storm go for and it’s exciting to see how he’s developed during the past couple of years.
“To have Trent and Tyson in the 21 is pretty exciting and it’s great to see that pathway (from the Coast to the Storm) really working well.”
