Forward Jason Ryles says Melbourne was the only NRL club that could have stopped him from retirement, and he is now looking forward to 2012.
Former Australia prop Jason Ryles would have retired from rugby league if NRL powerhouse Melbourne hadn't come calling.
Ryles linked with his new teammates for pre-season training this week on the verge of his 33rd birthday.
And after the Roosters cut him loose at the end of last season, he wasn't interested in playing anymore - until an intriguing offer from the Storm changed his mind.
"I spoke to my manager and I was going to retire, and then four hours later my manager rang back and said (Storm coach Craig Bellamy) was going to call me," Ryles said.
"I'll be totally honest. My manager tossed up to go to several other clubs and I had no interest in doing it.
"Then this opportunity came up and I jumped at it. With the playing roster and coaching staff here, it really appealed to me.
"I've been envious of the Storm way for quite a while."
The former St George and NSW State of Origin star was drawn by Melbourne's status as an NRL benchmark in recent years, and a keenness to test himself in a team boasting some of the game's best players.
Already he has earned some scars, with several deep scratches on his face from one of Melbourne's rugged wrestling sessions.
For a club which regularly works with no-frills forwards, Bellamy has picked up two blue-chips for 2012 in Ryles and returning back-rower Ryan Hoffman.
Hoffman rejoins the Storm after a season in England with Wigan Warriors, winning the Challenge Cup before a surprise door opened to return to the club at which he was part of grand final teams and won Test and State of Origin honours.
"I really enjoyed my opportunity in Wigan and it was something I wanted to do when I still had a few years of footy ahead of me," Hoffman said.
"I had an option for a second year in Wigan, and there was an opportunity to come back to Melbourne. To get three more years, it's something I'm very excited about."
