Smith impressed with new recruits

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith says the club’s new recruits have settled in well in readiness for their upcoming NRL campaign.

Smith is one of the five players that make up the Storm’s international contingent, who joined training last week following an extended post Four Nations break.

And Smith, alongside Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Adam Blair and Sika Manu have all been impressed with the level of dedication shown by the club’s new recruits.

“The last couple of weeks since we’ve come back from Christmas has all been about teamwork and running through team drills. It’s looking really good so far,” said Smith.

“There are still a few little areas we need to improve on to be ready for the start of the year but we are very happy.

“I’ve been really impressed with the new guys at our club and the young guys who have moved up from the NYC system.

“I’m confident we can start the year really well, hopefully maintain it and be a part of the finals again.”

And while, the intensity of the Storm’s preparations have shocked some players, Smith is quick to ad that the squad have a point to prove in 2011.

“We have a lot of expectations on ourselves, we’d like to show that we’re a club that won’t sit back and let what happened to us last year affect what we do this year,” said Smith.

“We want to move on from that and be a strong club. We’re a very proud club and we want to make sure we’re competitive this year.

“It’s an exciting time for our club, and it’s a great time for all Victorians to get behind the Melbourne Storm.

“We have an exciting squad this year, we’re all very hungry to be successful and I’m pretty sure we can do it.”