Storm youngster impresses at trials

Big wraps: Former Melbourne Storm skipper and rugby league great Cameron Smith has been encouraged by the recent showings of untried first-grader Tyran Wishart. Photo: DARREN ENGLAND/ AAP IMAGE

RUGBY league legend Cameron Smith has been keeping an eye on his former club the Melbourne Storm across the pre-season.

While a raft of the club’s stars impressed, notably Cameron Munster, Smith’s eyes were instead drawn to an untried first-grade player in Tyran Wishart who played the same position as Smith in hooker.

Although Wishart is yet to make his NRL debut, Smith believes he can have a big impact in 2022 after watching his performance on Sunday against Newcastle.

“There was a lot of strong performances through the trial period,” Smith said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.

“I was actually impressed with young Wishart at the Storm, his performance in the last trial match down in Victoria was eye-catching.

“They’re looking for someone to play in the nine jersey, Brandon Smith has found a loophole so he’ll be available for round one, but they’ll need someone to come off the bench and Wishart may have put his nose in front of everyone else.

“It’s quite a new role for him, clearly, he’s worked really hard at that craft over the pre-season.”

Smith’s co-host, former Bronco Denan Kemp, was equally taken, particularly as Wishart didn’t arrive at the club as a dummy-half.

“I was really impressed with him, I thought, wow, they’ve done it again, they’ve found another great number nine,” Kemp said.

“Then at the end of the game, I think it was Cam Munster who said, ‘He actually hasn’t played nine, he’s a half’.”

Wishart joined the Storm midway through last season after his career stalled with the Dragons and Kemp highlighted Melbourne’s ability to pick up quality players that have been discarded elsewhere.

“Also, block your ears Dragons fans, but he was actually not re-signed by the Dragons and the Storm came in and swooped him up,” Kemp said.

“It’s very interesting to see how the Storm system can develop players in new positions.”

Wishart will hope to earn a spot in the Storm’s 17 when the club kicks off its 2022 campaign with a round one clash against the Wests Tigers.

– BY LACHLAN GELEIT/ SEN