The Melbourne Storm might have lost Marika Koroibete to rugby union, but last year's minor premiers have a readymade replacement in new signing Josh Addo-Carr.

The former Wests Tigers speedster joined the Storm on a three-year deal in an almost identical move made by the man he is likely to replace.

While born three years apart, both men came into this world in July (Koroibete on the 26th and Addo-Carr on the 28th), both players scored exactly 28 tries in the Holden Cup, they made their NRL debut for the Wests Tigers, and they each possess incredible speed on the edge.

Koroibete made the move south midway through the 2014 Telstra Premiership season and finished his Storm career with 34 tries from 58 appearances before switching codes after last year's grand final.

"I want to cement a spot in first grade, I want to play State of Origin, and I want to play for Australia. I want to play 300 games. Those are my rugby league goals." - Josh Addo-Carr

Now that he's settled into his new surroundings, Addo-Carr wants to emulate what the flying Fijian accomplished at the Storm, starting with taking his now vacant spot on the left wing.

"I think I can achieve what he achieved and I think this is the team and the coaching staff to help me do that," Addo-Carr told NRL.com.

"He was probably in the same boat as me at the Tigers. I think he decided to come down here so he could be the best player that he could be.

"It wasn't an easy decision but I made the decision purely based on my future. I want to be the best player that I can be and I think under Craig Bellamy and playing with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, this is the place to be.

"The boys have been really welcoming. Not everyone's from Melbourne so they all understand what it's like for someone new to come here."

[2016] Player Stats: Telstra Premiership: Josh Addo-Carr



That sense of comradery has been essential with Melbourne's new recruits put through their paces as part of Storm coach Craig Bellamy's now famous pre-season camps.

"Training has been tough but we've been getting through it. Every day is full-on but as a group we all push each other to get through it and we help each other out, and that's what makes it easier for us as a collective," Addo-Carr said.

"I did the army camp just before Christmas. It was a three-day camp and it was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. We just walked. You're always on your feet and you never get to sit down. Just when you think you're done walking, they make you walk a bit more. It was intense."

It's short-term pain that Addo-Carr is happy to endure, with the flashy outside back willing to put in the hard yards needed for long-term gain.

The 21-year-old has bought into the Storm's ethos already, and having seen what the likes of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith have achieved throughout their careers it's easy to see why he wants to be a part of the Melbourne juggernaut.

"I've watched them since I was a young pup and to be able to train with them and be a part of their group is pretty amazing. It's a whole new level training with them," he said.

"You want to accomplish what they've accomplished in their careers, and the best way to do that is to listen to them and follow everything that they do.

"I want to cement a spot in first grade, I want to play State of Origin, and I want to play for Australia. I want to play 300 games. Those are my rugby league goals.

"But I need to earn that, and if I can play some good football for the Storm then hopefully I can tick those off down the track.

"One of my biggest goals is to get a premiership under my belt, and that's another reason why I came here because I think the Storm are in a good place to help me achieve that.

"We train as hard as we play and I think the team we've got here is young, but it's also experienced."