Heading into the sixth year of Melbourne's affiliation with Intrust Super Cup side Easts Tigers, Storm Football Director Frank Ponissi explains what to expect from the partnership in 2016.

Easts have provided a breeding ground for a number of current Storm first-grade players who have developed playing senior reserve grade football with the Tigers before moving onto regular NRL football.

Cameron Munster, Tim Glasby and Kenny Bromwich are just a few of the current crop to have played with the Tigers.

As part of the partnership, selected Easts Tigers players have had the opportunity to train with Melbourne’s first-grade squad throughout pre-season with the lead up to 2016 being no different.

"For the last five weeks, Billy Walters and Michael Kai from Easts Tigers have come down and trained with our NRL squad,” Ponissi said.

"They’ve done everything our other players do.

"We’re hoping they will go back better players and wiser for the experience."

2016 Easts Tigers / Melbourne Storm Key Dates

Saturday - February 6

Trial - Melbourne Storm U20s v Gold Coast Titans U20s - Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park)

Saturday - February 13

Trial - Melbourne Storm U20s v Easts Tigers v Sunshine Coast Falcons - Sunshine Coast Stadium

Sunday - March 13

Rd.2 - Melbourne Storm U20s v Gold Coast Titans U20s - Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park)

Friday - May 13

Melbourne Storm squad Captain’s Run at Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park)

Saturday - May 14

Rd.10 - Melbourne Storm U20s v North Queensland Cowboys U20s - Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park)

Thursday - June 30

Melbourne Storm squad Captain’s Run at Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park)

*Thanks to www.melbournestorm.com.au for the video and article.

This first appeared as Tigers affiliation moves into sixth year