Stewart excites Storm

By PARKER TAMBUA
MELBOURNE Storm are impressed with the performance of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s 13 fullback Treigh Stewart in the recent National Rugby League (NRL) preseason trial matches.
Storm general manager Frank Ponissi told The National that the club would keep Stewart under their watch while he returns to Brisbane Tigers to compete in the Hostplus Cup.
There’s a possibility the 23-year-old could sign a development contract soon with Craig Bellamy’s side.
Stewart, who comes from a mixed parentage of Kompiam in Enga and New South Wales, Australia, spent three months in preseason with the Storm under train-and-trial arrangement.
“Treigh Stewart has been very impressive during his train and trial period at the Melbourne Storm,” Ponissi said yesterday.
“We will continue to monitor his form whilst he plays for Brisbane Easts Tigers during the 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup.”
Storm assistant coach Todd Lowrie said a fortnight ago that Stewart was given two more opportunities in the NRL trial games against Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights in Fiji, following his outstanding performance in the initial trial for the Storm Young Gun side earlier this month.
Lowrie said the club would monitor train-and-trial players who were impressive in preseason and an opportunity to sign with them in mid-season was always possible.
Lowrie said current Storm second-rower Kane Bradley was also given full time contract last year after going through similar process of train-and-trial and played for feeder side Brisbane Tigers.
In Storm’s trial against Knights in Lautoka, Stewart starred in their 28-10 win. One of Stewart’s highlight was when he linked up with fellow PNG player Xavier Coates; Stewart created an overlap and set up Coates who scored in the corner.