The sight of Israel Folau openly weeping after the Storm’s NRL Grand Final capitulation could be an ominous sign for what lies ahead for the Melbourne franchise.

Since the club’s inception the good times have far outweighed the bad.

The men in purple and their fans had to wait just two seasons to celebrate their first premiership after beating St George Illawarra in the memorable 1999 grand final.

The Storm has failed to reach the finals only twice – in 2001 and 2002.

They’ve won the minor premiership the past three seasons, reached the grand final on each occasion and won last year’s premiership.

Finding a niche in the AFL-dominated Victorian marketplace was always going to be a tough nut to crack for the NRL.

But, while the Storm continued to enjoy success, they were always going to lure enough support to make the club viable.

Over the next few seasons, we may find out whether the majority of the Purple Army are simply ‘fair weather’ fans, or the real deal.

The Storm should still be right up there in premiership calculations for a few years yet.

But I feel the dynasty where its fans could almost take a grand final appearance for granted are over.

The very poor reception that awaited the Storm’s players on their arrival home on Monday must be a massive worry for David Gallop and the NRL.

Apparently only about 30 people were on hand to welcome their heroes back at Melbourne’s airport.

Then, just 200 fans were on hand at Princes Park to reflect on what was another terrific season for their club.

This despite the fact the grand final was Matt Geyer’s final match, the sole surviving Storm foundation player.

Had Manly lost the match there is little doubt that the stalwart they were farewelling, Steve Menzies, would still have been given a rousing send-off by the Sea Eagles fans.

The salary cap makes it almost impossible for a club to enjoy a sustained period of dominance like the Broncos and Raiders teams of the 90s, or the Bulldogs or Eels in the 80s.

A rough patch is almost inevitable.

And when the Storm hits theirs, it will be D-day for the club.

For the last few years, I’ve questioned whether Olympic Park will continue to be filled if the Storm aren’t winning.

‘D-day’ is probably still a few seasons away yet for the Storm.

Geyer, Folau, Michael Crocker and Antonio Kaufusi won’t be there next year, but they’ll still have the likes of Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.

But it’s definitely coming. The salary cap will see to that.

For years Storm players have been quoted as saying they love playing down in Melbourne because it’s not a league fishbowl like Brisbane and Sydney.

“I can walk down the street and not get noticed,” they say.

That’s great for the players, but there comes a time when that becomes a serious concern for rugby league and its quest to win the hearts of the Victorian sporting public.

Monday’s turnout should have the alarm bells ringing loud and clear at NRL headquarters. Because, if the Storm fans won’t welcome home its players after they’ve made a grand final, what’s the response going to be like if they start missing the semis?