Chris Lewis: Ashford export prepares for Storm's finals campaign

Because the former Ashford Roosters junior has emerged as an integral component of a Storm side who, if they win back-to-back premierships this year, could stake a claim as being the best-ever NRL side.

On Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Lewis was selected at second-row and played a full game as the Storm secured the minor premiership with a 28-16 defeat of Cronulla.

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It was a record-breaking regular season in which their 19-straight wins matched the effort of the '75 Roosters. They also achieved the highest points differential of all time (499) in winning 21 matches and losing three.

Lewis - who in 2020 became the Storm's oldest-ever NRL debutant, at age 27, after overcoming a series of serious injuries - has played 20 matches this season, to go with his five matches last season.

"It doesn't feel quite real at the moment," the 29-year-old said of Melbourne's 2021 achievements, adding: "[Playing] big minutes in the last game, to get the minor premiership, was pretty crazy."

Lewis is always humble and conscious of how fortunate he is, after the Storm threw him a lifeline 12-month development deal ahead of the 2020 season. As such, he is intent on "making the most of it and really enjoying" his time in the sun.

He would have loved to have been photographed holding the JJ Giltinan Shield, awarded to the minor premiers, after Friday's match. But second-placed Penrith played immediately after the Storm on the Gold Coast and were a mathematical chance of claiming the minor premiership - albeit a very remote one.

"It was a bit of a letdown," he said. "I came off to get a photo with the shield ... but it's an amazing time."

Lewis was part of Melbourne's grand final preparation last year. However, he was not selected.

"It was just amazing to be around," he said of the experience. "And hopefully, if I'm called upon [this year], I can fill a role for the team."

Despite the difficulties associated with living in the COVID era, Lewis said 2021 was one of the greatest years of his life.

"It rained at home, too, which was nice," he added.

His parents, Mick and Pauleen, are retired teachers who run a Wagyu cattle farm at Ashford.

The Storm and the Sea Eagles clash in a qualifying final on the Sunshine Coast on Friday night. Lewis was playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup when signed by Melbourne.

Manly No 1 Tom Trbojevic was again sublime, in a 46-18 final-round win over North Queensland.

"I think the only way we can beat him is with a stick while he's asleep," Lewis said of Trbojevic, then added, seriously: "He's a very good footballer and it's [Manly] a very good football team. So if we're off our game, we'll be struggling."

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