Following in the footsteps of his former flatmate Will Warbrick, Moses Leo is hoping a league background will give him a leg up as he tries to crack the code switch.
The 2024 grand finalists now boast two Olympians after Leo became the second New Zealand sevens representative to switch codes, starting pre-season training in Melbourne last week.
Warbrick joined the Storm after winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Games and has carved out a reputation as one of the best wingers in the NRL, this year also making his Test debut.
Leo isn't making any bold predictions about whether he will play in the NRL in 2025, but said he was up to speed with the game having played it before.
Originally due to link with the Storm at the end of his sevens contract in late 2025, he got an early release so he could make an early start.
"I played back in school so I took a year just to play league and then I played league in my last year of school as well for the first 13, and then I played some club as well," the 27-year-old said.
"I've always thought for me that league was an option as I really enjoyed playing league back in my younger days and then just things off-field really made sense for me to want to be based in Australia and give my (Queensland-based) family an opportunity to see me play as well.
"I really like the challenge that it possesses as well and I'm always trying to get better and I think I can really flourish here."
Leo said he sought advice from Warbrick, whom he lived with while in the sevens team, before making the decision to sign with Melbourne and was told to take the leap.
"I obviously I did my homework with Brick (Warbrick), I asked him what it was like when he transitioned and he said it's one of the best things he's done, so that was a bit of a no-brainer for me coming here.
"Seeing his success was really motivating and made it a real option for me and especially this team, specifically what they breed in this environment really attracted me to make the switch."
With injuries contributing as well as the Storm wanting to ease him into the game, Warbrick spent a season playing in the Queensland Cup before making his NRL debut in round one last year.
A winger-cum-centre, Leo said he would follow whatever path coach Craig Bellamy decided was best.
"No expectations there, I'm just going to try to be the best man I can be and do what's best for the team and really hopefully drive the boys to be better.
"Whatever's best for the team, if I'm on that field or not."
While the international players won't start back at training until the New Year, the remainder of the Melbourne squad will be back on deck next week.
