- The Melbourne Storm will field a very different team on Thursday
- 11 starting players to be rested ahead of NRL final
- Manager Craig Bellamy has denied he was ‘ripping off’ football fans
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has defended his decision to rest 11 players for Thursday’s clash with the Cowboys in Townsville, saying the draw forced him to act.
Amid some criticism that Bellamy was “ripping off” fans by leaving out so many stars, the long-term mentor stated: “It’s not my job to control who comes to the game and who doesn’t.”
Given the longest trip of the season and coming off a five-day recovery from last weekend’s minor championship-clinching loss to the Dolphins in Melbourne, the Storm will field a patched-up team in the tropics.
Players such as Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica are frozen.
Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen, who have missed a number of games this season due to injuries, have been called up to play.
Bellamy said he was not interested in criticism because his job was to do what was best for his team as they prepared to challenge for another title.
“Four of our last five games are away from home, so that means not getting in the car and playing 20 minutes or, you know, 45 minutes. It means getting on a plane,” he said in Townsville on Wednesday.
‘I can understand people being critical of this (resting players), but at the end of the day, that’s what we think will work best for us.
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has defended his decision to rest 11 players for Thursday’s clash with the Cowboys in Townsville, saying the NRL draw forced him to act.
Hooker Harry Grant will get a chance to refresh himself with finals looming
‘Townsville is our longest away game and with a five-day window it’s the perfect time to do it.
“I don’t think the draw is ideal so we’re trying to make the best of it and being the top seed and it happening so early, obviously we weren’t expecting it… but we think this is the ideal time to do it.”
He also scoffed at suggestions that he had an obligation to the game and the fans to field his strongest team possible.
“It’s not my job to scam anybody and it’s not my job to control who comes to the game and who doesn’t,” he said.
‘My job or our job is… I don’t make this on my own, you know, for these decisions I get advice and opinions… we believe that this (resting players) is the best for our club at this time of year.’
The Storm will field three debutants in young playmaker Keegan Russell-Smith, prop Tristan Powell and Ativalu Lisati, a mid-season signing from Penrith.
Bellamy added that the club “doesn’t give away Storm jerseys” and hoped the trio would take their chance.
Papenhuyzen and Munster will co-captain Melbourne against Todd Payten’s men.