Defeat to fire Storm next season

USING the agony of grand final defeat to motivate is something Strathfieldsaye has done before and will again.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s loss to Gisborne, Storm co-coach Darryl Wilson said he was incredibly proud of the team’s run to a seventh clash for the premiership cup in eight seasons.

Storm was chasing a fifth senior premiership, but would be denied by Gisborne.

There were many factors to be looked at, but Wilson said Gisborne’s work around stoppages was superior to Storm’s for most of the match.

“Conditions were incredibly tough for all players, but we really battled to get a flow into our game,” he said.

“Congratulations to Gisborne. They have been the benchmark all year. Today you proved how good you are.”

Although disappointed in defeat, Wilson said Storm had played two excellent finals to be in the season decider.

“I am absolutely proud of you all,” he told the players.

Later in the rooms, Wilson said Storm had the nucleus to contend again in ’23 and beyond.

“We just have to keep working and always strive to be better,” he said.

It’s that mindset which has put and kept Strathfieldsaye on or near the top of the league for so long.