NRL: Bromwich takes steps towards bright future

Jesse Bromwich of the Storm smiles after scoring a try. Photo / Getty Images

Jesse Bromwich has been coming to terms with fatherhood since Monday but there is one aspect of life he's not losing sleep over - his growing maturity as a National Rugby League-class prop.

The 22-year-old is among the new breed at the Melbourne Storm - the young brigade tasked with reinforcing a first grade squad decimated in the wake of last year's salary cap scandal.

Auckland-born Bromwich made his NRL debut six weeks before the Storm's accounting rort was exposed and, as a lowly paid member of the roster, he was assured of remaining on the books.

Bromwich, a graduate of the grand final-winning under-20s side of 2009, made only seven appearances last year but when front rowers Jeff Lima, Brett White and Aiden Tolman were offloaded he had an opportunity to establish himself.

The Storm acquired the experience of Adam Woolnough and Troy Thompson on the cheap for 2011 but it is Bromwich that has emerged as one of head coach Craig Bellamy's most reliable performers in the yardage gaining stakes.

Heading into Sunday's round 16 match against the New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium, Bromwich has only missed one game for the competition leaders this year - and he had a perfect excuse for not playing the Wests Tigers last weekend as partner Les (correct) was about to give birth to baby Eli.

Bellamy had no hesitation restoring Bromwich to his starting pack for what is his first game against the Warriors in Auckland.

"It'll be a different week for Jess," Bellamy admitted, adding: "He's been really strong for us the last six to eight weeks and we expect him to wind up for us."

Bromwich had a decent night's sleep when Eli came home for the first time on Wednesday and feels like this season is going like a dream.

"I definitely knew there was an opportunity for me there but I didn't know how it would go. I didn't expect it so soon," he said of his starting role.

"I'm definitely a lot more serious about footy now I've got a little baby to feed."

When the 2010 squad fragmented, Bromwich sensed an opening but only now is he starting to feel comfortable in a pack alongside the likes of Kiwis forward Adam Blair, Queensland and Kangaroos hooker Cameron Smith, Ryan Hinchcliffe and potential future Kiwi Kevin Proctor.

"My confidence was lacking but that comes with playing more games," Bromwich told NZPA.

"My attack has probably been a bit better than last year so that helps."

Bromwich moved with his parents and siblings to Australia at the end of 2008 and started the Australia phase of his league career with the Orange Hawks in country NSW.

His younger brother Kenneath was the first Bromwich boy to be signed by the Storm and it was he who convinced the club to give Jesse a trial.

"Kenny mentioned me and got me to come to training. It started from there," he said.

The 1.93-metre, 112kg Bromwich made the right impression, one that never quite convinced the Warriors talent scouts when he was playing back home for the Manurewa Marlins - not that he holds a grudge.

"I didn't really get a look in or anything, there were too many other good players back there," he said.

Moving to Melbourne turned out a wise career move for Bromwich, who has a chance to figure prominently in the creation of a new dynasty alongside compatriots Sika Manu, Proctor, and wing Matt Duffie.

Blair is poised to confirm a north to the Wests Tigers in 2012 but Smith had no doubt the club's future was secure.

"The newer guys are starting to understand how we go about our football. We've got a lot of confidence about us at the moment."

- NZPA