3 minute read

Nick Meaney has re-signed with Melbourne through to the end of 2024, while the Warriors have locked in local juniors Bunty Afoa and Tom Ale.

Melbourne have rewarded utility Nick Meaney for a career-best season by signing him to a contract extension to the end of 2024.

The Storm relied on Meaney's versatility in his first year at the club to help combat a string of injuries.

He covered Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen at five-eighth and fullback respectively and also slotted in on the wing.

Meaney shared the club's award for best back in 2022, having scored more tries than in any other season of his career (13).

He also assumed chief goal-kicking duties when Papenhuyzen was out injured.

Pending the fitness of his teammates, Meaney appears likely to line up on one wing for the Storm in 2023, with Xavier Coates on the other. He had already been contracted for this season.

"I'm really happy to have the negotiations done and to have those two years, 2023 and now 2024, locked in," Meaney said in a statement.

"I can now concentrate on the main job and that's training and soon we'll be back playing."

Elsewhere, the Warriors have secured local juniors Bunty Afoa and Tom Ale through to the end of 2025.

Afoa remained a lock for selection on the Warriors' bench in a disappointing 2022 season.

In the side's homecoming clash with the Wests Tigers, he became the 28th Warrior to reach 100 club games.

Fellow forward Ale has been restricted to only seven first-grade games to date, in part due to injury, but started on the bench in the Warriors' last four games of 2022.

"Bunty and Tom are outstanding examples of players who have come through our system and taken their opportunities," new Warriors coach Andrew Webster said.

"They demonstrate real pride in the club and all they do."