He’s heading to the premiers after not being offered a new deal by the Storm.
Anderson played 23 out of a possible 27 games this year, and featured in every match from Round 3 until the first week of the finals. He was instrumental in helping the Storm finish second on the NRL ladder in the regular season, and played in the qualifying final victory over the Bulldogs.
However he was overlooked for the preliminary final win against Cronulla, and Sunday night’s grand final loss to the Broncos. Coach Craig Bellamy had to make a tricky call when Will Warbrick returned from concussion issues, and Jack Howarth overcame a groin complaint.
He went with Warbrick and Xavier Coates on the wings, and Howarth and Nick Meaney in the centres. Unfortunately for Anderson he was the odd man out, despite being so dependable for Bellamy all season.
The selections backfired in the grand final when Howarth did his groin again, which forced Tyran Wishart to play out of position in the centres. Warbrick looked well below his best and was even monstered by the much smaller Ezra Mam at one stage.
Melbourne Storm fans question selection calls
On social media, fans were critical of the selection calls, with many questioning whether it was a mistake to axe Anderson. He’s now played his last game for the Storm and will switch to the Broncos this off-season.
One person wrote: “(Ryan) Papenhuyzen going to R360 will be a blessing in disguise along with NAS (Nelson Asofa-Solomona). Warbrick coming back actually hurt us in the end, he gives up more than he scores. No sugar coating that it was a bottle job and yet another failure when it counted most.”
Another commented: “Sadly I think you’re correct across the board. Grant Anderson made very few mistakes all season.” A third added: “Feel sorry for Grant Anderson. Played so solidly all season for the Storm and denied a GF.” Another person suggested: “Picking Howarth over Anderson cost them.”
Grant Anderson switches from Storm to Broncos
Reports emerged earlier this year that Anderson had signed with Brisbane after not being offered a new deal by the Storm. It wasn’t until June that the move was confirmed, and it remains to be seen whether the Storm are regretting that call after the 25-year-old emerged as a genuine first-grader in 2025.
He played 48 games for the Storm after debuting back in 2022, but never managed to nail down a permanent first-grade spot. “Grant is a great footballer with a proven ability at NRL level, and we’re confident he’ll be a valuable addition to the Broncos both on and off the field,” Broncos general manager of football Troy Thomson said in June. “He’s been in excellent form and continues to show that he’s not only dependable, but also highly versatile across the backline.”
Bellamy said back in Round 5: “It’s a shame for us he’s leaving next year. With all due respect, whenever he’s been in our team, he’s done a good job. Whenever we’re a back down, he’ll go to the centres or the wing or in the halves or play fullback. He does such a good job for us. We’d like to send him out on a good note.”
