Left to right Stella-Louise holding Jahrome Hughes, Cooper holding Cameron Munster and Hendrixx holding storm logo.
For Jeremy Martin, the Melbourne Storm isn’t just a rugby league club; it’s a lifelong obsession passed down from a childhood hero and now a legacy he’s sharing with his own children.
Despite yet another Grand Final loss, the Harden resident’s loyalty to the purple jersey remains unshakable. Martin’s dedication dates back to the very beginning.
“1998. I was four and a half years old when I started going to Melbourne be cause they were the new kids on the block,” he recalls. His initial attraction, influenced by an obsessed older brother, Kyle, cemented a bond that has lasted decades, even after Kyle “jumped ship” following the club’s salary cap scandal.
“He jumped ship because of when Melbourne cheated the cap. He jumped ship, and I stayed pretty loyal, and I’m still here,” Martin says.
The announcement of the cap breach in 2010 remains a vivid, if initially confusing, memory. “I was sitting in the old Dr Khalfan’s doctor surgery at the time… I started to laugh because I thought it was somebody else until they said it was Melbourne,” he recounts.
“Back then, I was sort of around that 14-15 year old mark and… it hurt, but the redemption story is they won in 2012, so if you love something in my eyes, you just stick with it.”
This philosophy has guided Martin through years of triumphs and heartbreaks. He has attended six Grand Finals—2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2024, and the recent 2025 decider—and sees attending as a victory in itself.
“It’s better to be there than not be there at all.”
The recent 2025 Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos hit Martin particularly hard, despite the disappointment of previous defeats.
“This is probably the best atmosphere I’ve been to,” Martin commented, noting the even split of fans since no Sydney team was involved. “It was pretty split down the middle with Storm and Broncos, and I thought the atmosphere itself was just electric.”
However, the result was crushing. “It was probably the most hurtful loss… it was definitely the one that’s hit me the hardest for the last couple of days, and I don’t know why.”
The sting came from watching the Storm surrender a dominant first-half lead. “We had so much dominance in the first half and then… Broncos just lit a fuse and come out and we just sort of let it go,” he explained, contrasting it with the Storm’s historical ability to close out games.
While acknowledging that players make split-second decisions at high speed, the fan’s disappointment is palpable. Despite the recurring heartbreak, Martin is continuing the tradition by introducing his three children to the Storm faith. His son, Henry, has now attended the 2024 and 2025 Grand Finals, creating new family memories even in defeat.
Martin’s dedication is a testament to the enduring, sometimes painful, beauty of sporting fandom. He’s a Storm fan for life, and win or lose, he’ll be passing that love on, season after season.
– Tully Pott
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