Aside from the salary cap scandal, I have tremendous respect for the Storm in that regard, especially with front rowers.
Every single prop that has gone down to Melbourne has played above their own ability. From recent memory:
- Brett White - average reserve grade prop at Dragons, became State Of Origin, CvC Origin, Australian representative prop at Storm
- Garrett Crossman - average first grader at Panthers, was a vital bench contributor at Storm, now back to mediocrity at Souths
- Ben Cross - injury/suspension prone at Raiders, outstanding pack leader at Storm, back to being injury/suspension prone at Knights
- Ian Donnelly - useless at Manly, put in solid matches as an impact player at Storm, back to being hopeless at Sharks and Titans
- Jeff Lima - reserve grade prop at Tigers, became a tremendous metre-eating hit-up merchant and New Zealand prop at Storm
- Ryan Tandy - average reserve grade prop who had been to lots of teams, became a forward leader and marquee buy for Dogs
Others include Matthew Cross (Panthers), Jeremy Smith (QLD Cup).
