Wests Tigers’ David Nofoaluma reflects on loan stint at Melbourne Storm, including Craig Bellamy spray and tips from Billy Slater

He also wants to pass on the lessons he learned in Melbourne as the Tigers look to climb off the bottom of the ladder in 2023.

The 2020 Dally M Winger of the Year joined Melbourne on loan in August as Craig Bellamy’s side struggled with an outside back injury crisis.

The opportunity to head south came at the perfect time for Nofoaluma, who admits he was struggling for motivation after nine years in the NRL without playing finals football.

“I’d lost interest in the game, to be honest … I’d lost interest,” the 29-year-old tells CODE Sports.

In May last year, the Tigers’ leadership group banished Nofoaluma to reserve grade after he was caught drinking while recovering from a head knock.

He played twice for the Magpies and even after being reinstated into the NRL team, he still wasn’t enjoying his footy.

That’s when he suggested a move to Melbourne.

“I was the one that mentioned it to Sheensy (Tim Sheens),” he says.

“My headspace wasn’t where I wanted it to be.

“I hadn’t gotten success in 10 years, I hadn’t played finals and that opportunity down in Melbourne, when they were trying to find an outside back, I think I’d be stupid if I didn’t take that opportunity.”

It didn’t take long for Nofoaluma to find the spark again.

“One of my idols was Greg Inglis – I loved watching him play – and they have so much history and success. I was pretty honoured to be there,” he says.

“Then, day one, I met Billy (Slater) and he told me some key pointers and they just made me feel like a Melbourne Storm player, even though I’d just gotten there.”

The move proved an instant success, with Nofoaluma scoring three tries in his first three games, including a win over Penrith and a 60-12 demolition of Brisbane.

“I thought we were going to go straight to the grand final the way we were going, it was different,” he laughs.

“I wasn’t used to winning consecutive games in a row. I was trying to adjust to that and adapt. You can see why these guys are so happy and enjoying life. I think everyone could see I was enjoying it a bit too much.

“I started getting comfortable.”

Melbourne’s season ended with a qualifying final defeat to Canberra – Nofoaluma’s first taste of finals football – and he admits leaving the Storm wasn’t easy.

“It was hard to leave,” he says.

“Everyone wants to do what they love. Whatever workplace it is, you wanna work harder when you’re happy and enjoy it, because you love what you’re doing.

“When you have that environment, why would you want to leave?”

As hard as it might have been to drive out of AAMI Park for the last time, Nofoaluma says his taste of the Storm set-up has reignited the fire within him at Concord.

“I’m back here now and I said when I first went down there that when I commit to something, I put all my effort into it, especially when it’s something new,” he says.

“Coming back to the Tigers is like something new for me. That’s how I look at it and I want to put all my effort into this now.

“Whatever happens, I’m confident we can play our best footy and we’ve definitely got the team to do it now. We’re connecting really well and I’m excited.”

Asked what the secret to the Storm’s success is, Nofoaluma says: “There’s no secret to the Melbourne Storm. There’s no individuals, they just feed off each other.

“They’ve already established and created that winning culture amongst each other. It’s instilled in every player. Every player that goes there, I can see why they fit in straight away. They created it with Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk and that generation of players.

“The second thing is, they’re such good people. When you’re a good person, they can be hard on you when they need to be but they understand it’s not all about footy – it’s about life as well.”

The Samoan international copped a dose of the Storm’s tough love when he was on the wrong end of one of Craig Bellamy’s infamous sprays.

A rite of passage in many respects, Nofoaluma’s blast came the day after he gave away a six-again penalty by grabbing the leg of his now-Tigers teammate Isaiah Papali’i.

He knew exactly what was coming when he walked into the review room the morning after the 22-14 defeat to Parramatta.

“I was waiting for it, to be honest. He was being too nice to me, so I knew that something wasn’t right,” he says.

“I think everyone cops a spray at some point. I’m old enough to cop it on the chin and understand there’s a meaning to it.

“But he’s a genuine, quality man and I can see how much he cares about his players.”

Now 29, and one of the more senior members of a Tigers squad that welcomes in a host of experienced players this season, Nofoaluma wants to repay the faith the Tigers showed in him when he left for Melbourne last year.

“I think I’ve matured a lot as a player,” he says. “It might’ve taken me a bit longer but it really helped going down to Melbourne.

“It worked out in my favour and it helped Melbourne. Now that I’m back, I think the Tigers can see that it benefits everyone as well.

“I’m excited to start over again and put my best foot forward for the Wests Tigers.”