Still looming large over AAMI Park, retired superstar Billy Slater is backing Melbourne to continue their reign of NRL success without him.
Slater has had the northern stand of the ground named in his honour, ensuring an ongoing presence at Storm home games even in his retirement.
While some, including skipper Cameron Smith, have predicted the hole left by the departure of Slater, Ryan Hoffman and Tim Glasby, difficult for the grand finalists to fill, Slater was confident that little would change.
"We've got a very similar side to last year with only a couple of personnel changes," Slater said on Monday.
"Our starting 17 is quite stable and we've still got Cameron Smith leading the way.
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"We haven't changed a whole heap, so it's really hard to write the Storm off as we haven't missed the finals series for the last 16 years, apart from 2010, so this coaching staff and playing group expect to be successful."
Jahrome Hughes will wear the No.1 jersey on Thursday night in Melbourne's NRL season-opener at Brisbane, making the most of an injury to first-choice Scott Drinkwater.
Slater backed Hughes to flourish in the role after he demonstrated his prowess with six appearances there last season, as well as spending time at halfback.
"Jahrome's an accomplished fullback and he knows what first grade is all about week to week," Slater said.
"He's been part of the New Zealand side and he played with the Maori side earlier this year, so he will be ready for the challenge of filling a key position."
Slater is the first Storm player to have part of AAMI Park named in his honour, although ex-club greats Glenn Lazarus and Tawera Nikau had stands at their former home ground Olympic Park, which has since been torn down.
Slater also has a large mural in Richmond with plans in place to build a statue outside AAMI Park, as well as an oval and a sign at his home town Innisfail in far north Queensland.
He said the new honour was special.
"This place has meant a whole heap to me over the last 20 years and I've always felt a part of this club," Slater said.
"To have my family's name up on the northern stand is a proud moment."
