Purple Reign

For our first interview in The Purple Room, Aaron and Trav sit down with former Storm enforcer and 1999 premiership winner Russell “Rusty” Bawden!Known for his tough approach on the field and big personality off it, Rusty takes us back to Melbourne’s early years, sharing stories about the teammates, characters and standards that helped shape the club we love.On the agenda 👇⚡ Joining Melbourne from the London Broncos🏆 The early Storm years and unforgettable premiership memories😂 Dressing-room stories, initiations and the club’s biggest characters💜 What Storm culture means to someone who helped build it🏉 How the game has changed and his thoughts on Melbourne heading into 2027🔥 Purple Reign quick-fire questions — from toughest teammates to the all-important Bunnings onion debate!Plus, a special family moment as Russell shares what it means to see Beau earn an SG Ball opportunity with the Storm and follow in his footsteps.A huge thank you to Rusty for joining us and helping launch The Purple Room. We’re excited to bring you more of the people and stories behind the purple jersey.Who would you love to see in The Purple Room next? 👇💜#PurpleReign #ThePurpleRoom #MelbourneStorm

Well… where do you even start with that season? 😅Join Aaron and Trav as we unpack a tough year for Melbourne Storm—the setbacks, the frustrations, the shining lights and what comes next.📊 THE SEASON THAT WASA 10th-place finish, a massive injury toll and combinations constantly changing. What went wrong, and how much credit does the team deserve for fighting back into finals contention?🌟 THE POSITIVESSua Fa’alogo’s breakout season, Stefano’s impact and the emergence of Cooper Clarke. Plus, the young players and fresh faces who gave us something to get excited about.🔄 PLAYER MOVEMENTSThe arrivals of Jamayne Isaako, Bronson Xerri, Kelma Tuilagi, Tane Kirione and Adam Pompey, farewells to our departing players, and where we still need to strengthen.👀 THE RUMOUR MILLMunster’s future, Harry Grant’s next deal, Craig Bellamy’s coaching future and the latest signing chatter. What’s confirmed, what’s speculation and what do we want to see happen?🎰 WAY TOO EARLY VEGAS TEA🎙️ WHAT’S NEXT FOR PURPLE REIGN?🤝 A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS💜 Freedom Finance Group—thank you for backing Purple Reign and being on board throughout the season. Your support means so much to us.🎰 Premium Sports Tours—we’ve teamed up to help get the Purple Army to Vegas! Stay tuned for more.👕 Five Eights—thank you for the clothes and the support! We can’t wait to work with you in 2027. Use PurpleReign10 to unlock your discount.And to everyone who has watched, commented, shared, listened or joined a live—THANK YOU. We’ve grown to 4.3k followers on Facebook and 201 on Instagram, and every one of you is part of this community. 💜👇 GET INVOLVED!What’s your biggest takeaway from 2026? Who impressed you, what disappointed you and what questions do you want us to tackle?Have a ripper offseason, Purple Army. Keep an eye out for our content and special podcasts—we’ll still be here talking Storm! 💜⚡

One last time for the 2026 NRL season… and what a way to finish!The Storm have escaped Cronulla with a huge 24–20 victory over the Sharks. It wasn’t pretty—in fact, large parts were downright ugly—but good teams find a way, and Melbourne refused to let this one slip.From a chaotic opening half featuring injuries, sin bins and plenty of controversy, to tries from Peel, SualSONIC and the Chin, the Storm fought their way back from an 18–12 halftime deficit.Then came the match-winner…WHAT. A. TRY. 🔥🔥🔥With the game on the line, Melbourne produced a stunning team effort to snatch the lead and finish the regular season with another gutsy win.There is plenty for the boys to unpack from the game!This is also our final Purple Reign podcast of the season, so I want to say a massive thank you to our incredible community. Whether you watched live, listened later, commented, shared, debated our takes or simply enjoyed the ride—you made every episode worthwhile.A special thank you to Azza, who has been an enormous part of the poddies and everything we have created this season. His passion, knowledge and willingness to say exactly what he thinks have made the show what it is. You dont understand the new lease on life you have provided me mate. For someone Jess and I havent met in person, its safe to say you are a brother in arms. Soooo much love for you and your amazing family. And to Jess, the superstar working tirelessly behind the scenes—thank you for the endless hours, ideas and all the amazing content that keeps Purple Reign rolling every single day. So much of what everyone sees wouldn’t happen without you. You're my wife, life and mother to my amazing girls. To be able to do something like this amongst the love of ya life is wild. Thank you so much.💜The regular season may be over, but the job isn’t finished yet.Join us for one final 2026 NRL season review as we celebrate the win, dissect the madness and look back on an unforgettable year together.Storm 24. Sharks 20. Ugly, chaotic and absolutely beautiful.Freedom you aren't forgotten we got something coming for you!Melbourne Storm Cronulla Sharks Freedom Finance Group NRL

The Round 27 team lists are in as Melbourne Storm prepare to take on the Cronulla Sharks—and our final TLT show of the season!Tonight on the agenda:⚡ Our 3-2-1 votes from Round 26🏆 Storm’s Player of the Year Awards👋 Mark Russell’s departure amid rumours he’ll join Parramatta as an assistant coach🔥 Sua’s impressive recent ball-playing numbers🤠 Joe Chan’s move to the Cowboys in 2027🤯 How have all four of last year’s top-four teams—including both grand finalists—missed the finals?Then we break down Storm v Sharks:🦈 Cronulla resting several big names💜 Storm naming the strongest available side🔑 Our blueprint and key match-ups💥 Stopping the Sharks’ middles before they can unleash Katoa and Ronaldo out wide🎯 Putting pressure on vulnerable halves Pollard and Puru⚔️ Testing the Sharks’ centres in Jones and GabraelIt’s goodbye from a TLT perspective, but don’t worry—the review show will still be coming!A huge thank you to our sponsor:Freedom Finance Group - Call Con mention Purple Reign lock in $500 cashback to start with. get money in your pocket not the banks. 0405175396Proudly supported by:Premium Sports Tours—be sure to check them out for unforgettable VEGAS package for our Purple Army. Mention Purple Reign to unlock your deal!#MelbourneStorm #PurpleReign #NRL #nrlstormsharks Freedom Finance Group Cronulla Sharks NRL Premium Sport Tours

STB’s stunning hat-trick, Sua’s cheeky celebration, Harry Grant’s wizardry and some HUGE runs through the middle—but what about the late hits on Jahrome Hughes?👀We also break down the telling Hughes statistic:🌩️ With Hughes since 2020: 74% wins🚫 Without Hughes: just 47%Plus, our verdict on the new kick-off rule and all the major moments from a wild night.🎙️ Catch our weekly Melbourne Storm review#stormpodcast A huge thank you to our sponsor:Freedom Finance Group - Call Con mention Purple Reign lock in $500 cashback to start with. get money in your pocket not the banks. 0405175396Proudly supported by:Premium Sports Tours—be sure to check them out for unforgettable VEGAS package for our Purple Army. Mention Purple Reign to unlock your deal!#MelbourneStorm #NRL #PurpleReign #StormPodcast

The Storm head to Suncorp Stadium to face the Broncos on Thursday night—and we have a massive Poddy lined up!🔥 **ON THE AGENDA:**🟣 A quick review of the chaotic Panthers clash🟣 Four sin bins, an 8–1 infringement count and Martin’s shot on Sua🟣 Jai Arrow named captain under a special one-off NRL exemption🟣 Who are EQT, what is the Storm worth and what does the ownership deal mean for fans?🟣 The controversial new kick-off rule being trialled in Storm v Broncos🟣 Tui Kamikamica’s medical retirement and the inaugural Tui Kamikamica Bowl🟣 Our interview with Will Warbrick🟣 Marion Seve’s incredible fight back to rugby league🟣 How the Storm can stop Brisbane’s powerful middle🟣 Key match-ups, our game plan and how Melbourne can use the new rule to its advantage🟣 A sponsor shout-out and some sponsor news looking ahead to 2027🟣 Your community questions!There is plenty to unpack, plenty to debate and absolutely no shortage of opinions!Drop your questions and talking points in the comments so we can discuss them👇#TLTLive #PurpleReign #MelbourneStorm #NRL #StormVsBroncos #NRL2026@Melbourne Storm Brisbane Broncos Premium Sport Tours @Freedom Finance Group

The equation is simple: Melbourne Storm must beat the Penrith Panthers on Thursday night to keep those mathematical finals dreams alive! 🟣⚡️🎙️ ON THE AGENDA:🟣 Kelma Tuilagi signs with Storm for 2027🏅 Jahrome Hughes becomes Storm Life Member #45🏅 Tui Kamikamica becomes Storm Life Member #44👀 Billy Slater steps away from Origin—but says “never say never” to coaching Storm❌ Cameron Smith rules himself out of the Queensland job📋 Team List Tuesday reaction⚔️ KEY MATCHUPS🏉 Storm’s halves against Nathan Cleary🔥 Leo vs Jenkins🧠 THE BLUEPRINTThe Warriors and Roosters have shown us how Penrith can be beaten over the past few weeks—but what is the blueprint for Storm?Drop your questions, thoughts and predictions in the comments! 💜#PurpleReign #MelbourneStorm #TLTAgenda #TeamListTuesday #NRL #StormPanthers #Round25 #yourstorm Melbourne Storm Freedom Finance Group Penrith Panthers Premium Sport Tours

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea-Eagles. From a horror first half and some interesting refereeing decisions… to a stunning Storm comeback and a 42–20 victory over Manly! ⚡️We’re unpacking Sua’s brilliance, Watson’s first NRL try, the sin bin, the bunker, that completion rate and a dominant second-half turnaround.What did you make of the win? 🟣⚡️Links in the comments!#nrl #contentcreator Melbourne Storm Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NRL Freedom Finance Group @Premium Sport Tours Brick Lane Brewing Co.

Storm’s home game heads west as we prepare to take on the Manly Sea Eagles at HBF Park this Saturday afternoon!🦅 The Purple Blueprint: How do we take down the Eagles?🏃 Does Munster’s early return give Storm the running threat we’ve been missing?💪 Can our forwards lay the platform for Wishart and Watson to play naturally?🛑 How do we contain Manly’s lethal centres and wingers?🥾 The importance of Fogarty’s kicking game🔥 Battle of the rookie halves: Hayden Watson vs Joey Walsh🎉 Jack Howarth brings up game number 50🖤💛❤️ Storm to wear its 2026 Indigenous jerseyThe team announcement also caused an immediate shift in the betting market:Before Team List Tuesday: Storm $2.46 | Manly $1.55After Team List Tuesday: Storm $2.13 | Manly $1.72 👀We also discuss Matt King’s appointment as NSW Blues coach, Watson and Bowden re-signing until 2030, and the staggering fines and suspensions handed out across the NRL in 2026.A huge thank you to our sponsor:Freedom Finance Group - Call Con mention Purple Reign lock in $500 cashback to start with. get money in your pocket not the banks. 0405175396Proudly supported by:Premium Sports Tours—be sure to check them out for unforgettable VEGAS package for our Purple Army. Mention Purple Reign to unlock your deal!#PurpleReign #MelbourneStorm #NRL #StormManly #TeamListTuesday #IndigenousRound #PremiumSportsToursFreedom Finance Group Melbourne Storm Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Premium Sport Tours NRL

A brave young Storm side pushed the Bulldogs all the way before falling short in a chaotic Friday night battle.With Hughes ruled out late, Watson stepped into the halves, Wishart moved to hooker and King took the captaincy. Salmon crossed twice, Sua was electric and Hinchey celebrated his first NRL try—but costly errors and missed opportunities ultimately proved the difference.We break down the debutants, the controversial moments, Storm’s impressive patches and where it all slipped away.🎙️ Join us and share your thoughts on the game!A quick shout-out to our wonderful sponsors:Freedom Finance Group-Give Con a call and get more money in your pocket not the banks. Call Con on: 0405175396 Mention Purple Reign to unlock your $500 cashback offer.Proudly supported by:Premium Sports Tours - Vegas round 2027. These guys have you covered give them a call and book your tickets NOW. 1800 477 678 or (03) 9525 5126 - [email protected] - Mention Purple Reign to unlock your deal. If you enjoy our content, please consider leaving a recommendation or review on our page. It’s a completely free way to support us, help Facebook prioritise genuine fan-created content and push back against the growing number of fake AI clickbait pages.#PurpleReign #MelbourneStorm #NRL #NRLStormBulldogs #podcast #contentcreator Melbourne Storm Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Premium Sport ToursFreedom Finance Group Five Eights Clothing Co