Bromwich the key says Storm recruit

Melbourne Storm prop Jesse Bromwich says he's feeling confident after New Zealand's Four Nation title and is set to further improve in 2015.

Forget Melbourne Storm's superstar trio Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, it's prop Jesse Bromwich who helped lure Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to Melbourne.

The former Canberra Raider said he wanted to play alongside Kiwi Test enforcer Bromwich, who he rated as the best in the NRL.

"Everyone talks about Bill, Cooper and Cam and it's exciting to play with those guys but definitely the forward pack with Jesse there," said Learoyd-Lahrs, when asked what he liked most about the Storm.

"He led the charge with the boys and he's probably in my opinion the best front-rower in the game.

"I know there's a lot of people who share that opinion with me."

Learoyd-Lahrs, who is looking to put two injury-ravaged seasons behind him, will be happy to know that Bromwich feels he can get even better.

"I know I can improve," said 25-year-old Bromwich, who won the Storm's 2014 player of the year.

"At the moment I'm just working on getting fitter and stronger.

"I've put on a kilo so hopefully that can help me in tackles and holding the ball."

Bromwich said he had grown in confidence after helping steer New Zealand to Four Nations success, with the Kiwis trouncing Australia in the final.

He said it would also pump up fellow Storm forwards Kevin Proctor and Tohu Harris, who were part of the winning NZ campaign.

"I really, really enjoyed that competition and got a lot of confidence out of it," Bromwich said.

"It's definitely a career highlight; winning that competition and beating Australia two times, it's right up there."

He said he welcomed any added pressure that came from his stellar 2014 season.

"I guess there is a bit of expectation there but I'm really looking forward to the season."

Bromwich nominated fellow prop Jordan McLean as a player to watch and said the usually quiet 23-year-old had become much more vocal on the field.

And Bromwich was equally keen to suit up alongside 28-year-old Learoyd-Lahrs, who won four Test caps early in his career.

"Big Tommy is going to bring that aggression and hard run," Bromwich said.


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Source: AAP


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