By Kevin Bartlett

Now, I fear for the future of Melbourne Storm.

It's uncertain if they can keep the big four - Inglis, Slater, Cronk or Smith on their books.

Even if they do, in the words of News Ltd chairman John Hartigan, the rest would resemble a 'pub team'.

With the two new teams in soccer and union about to explode onto the Melbourne sporting landscape the Storm could lose it's foot-hold.

Now the Storm has done a marvellous job in an Aussie Rules dominated state, but the dismantling of the Storm would hand the game back to New South Wales and Queensland.

Once you lose your pecking order in this town, it's a long way back.