HAVING just helped his Melbourne Storm side claim the Toyota Cup (under-20) premiership, peninsula junior Dane Chisholm is hoping a ``big’’ pre- season will help him graduate to the NRL next year.
Chisholm and former Sea Eagles hooker Jai Jones-Wiegold were both part of the Storm side that defeated the Wests Tigers in the NYC decider at Homebush on Sunday.









Peninsula junior Dane Chisholm played a leading role in Melbourne Storm's Toyota Cup grand final win on Sunday.



A try just six minutes from fulltime to fullback Gareth Widdop saw the Storm claim a come-from-behind 24-22 win and cap a memorable day for the club.
Chisholm, the son of former Manly halfback Rick Chisholm, played a strong role in the win having a hand in two of his team’s five tries.
While admitting there was still plenty of areas in his game he needed to hone, the 19-year-old hopes to get a taste of the top grade in 2010.
``It really is a big off season coming up ... I would love to get a chance (first grade),’’ Chisholm said on Monday before boarding a plane back to Melbourne.
``You really don’t know because things can happen pretty quick. This time last year I was playing in the semi-finals for Mullimbimby.
``Now I’m winning a comp with the Storm.
``Our (Toyota Cup) squad is so talented, I think there’s a few boys ready to step up to the NRL. I hope I can do it.
``There’s a few things I need to improve on like my defence and involvement in the game.
``I’d like to do a bit more.’’
For Jones-Wiegold, the premiership victory vindicates his decision to leave the Sea Eagles at the end of last year and explore other opportunities.
``It got to the point where I just needed to get away and try something new,’’ Jones-Wiegold, whose last win in a grand final was with the North Curl Curl Knights under-17s, said.
``It’s my first time living away from home, not having my mum’s cooking all the time and having to do things for myself.
``It’s the best thing I could have done.
``It’s helped me both on and off the field.’’