Meaney happy to fill holes in Storm squad

Melissa Woods | March 31, 2022

Melbourne Storm recruit Nick Meaney is happy being the NRL club’s new Mr Fix-It after plugging holes all over the park from fullback to five-eighth to hooker to wing.

Meaney has been named among the reserves for Sunday’s AAMI Park clash with his former team Canterbury, where he spent three seasons.

He played winger last round after starting in the No.6 in round one in place of suspended playmaker Cameron Munster.

The 24-year-old arrived in Melbourne aware that his role was likely to be as a utility, previously filled by Nicho Hynes before his departure for Cronulla.

“Coming to this club, that was in the back of my mind, with obviously Ryan (Papenhuyzen) there at the back and their spine pretty established,” Meaney said. 

“I knew coming here in the first place it was going to be that kind of Mr Fix-it role that Nicho did so I’ve got to take that take my chances when they come.”

Meaney said he couldn’t knock back a Storm offer even if it didn’t come with a starting role.

“Obviously, I’d like to play fullback but if it’s on the wing, centre, whatever is going to get the best out of me and make me the best footy player.

“When I heard the Storm were interested in me I thought I can’t really turn the best club in the game down – at the end of the day it was a no brainer.”

Trent Barrett’s Bulldogs look a different side this season, with a new playmaker in Penrith premiership winner Matt Burton and ex-Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr also among their recruits.

They opened the season with a win before two tight losses.

While the Storm themselves are coming off a golden-point loss to Parramatta, Meaney didn’t get to taste success too often at the Bulldogs.

“It was definitely tough, I mean, we only won six games in the last two years so that’s going to be tough on anyone,” Meaney said. 

“But I looked at it as that I was playing NRL football and nothing compares to that experience … so I felt I was winning in my own aspect by gaining experience out on the field. 

“I really enjoyed my time there with a group of guys we had.”