Toughen up, or you're out

[Super Cronk]

MELBOURNE Storm coach Craig Bellamy will sharpen his selection axe today as he tries to shock his team out of its dramatic form slump.

In a frank admission, Bellamy conceded his team wasn't tough enough, and said it appeared to be missing the experience of departed warriors Stephen Kearney, Rodney Howe and Danny Williams.

Just three weeks after thumping Brisbane 50-4 in Round 4, and charging to premiership favouritism, Storm has crashed to consecutive defeats.

Bellamy was scathing of his team's effort after Saturday night's 26-14 loss to Parramatta at Olympic Park and he has vowed to drop several players ahead of next Sunday's road trip to Canberra.

Storm's loss to the Eels came in similar circumstances to that suffered at the hands of Penrith in Round 5. It has raised questions about Melbourne's ability to compete when games descend into forward-dominated arm wrestles.






``The criticism we have copped in some quarters is very warranted,'' Bellamy said.

``We have to toughen up in some areas and, until we do that, we are in for a long season. I have to look at the video a bit more, but I think you can safely say there will be changes.''

Bellamy is particularly concerned about the efforts of his forward pack which, after starting the season strongly, has been pushed around by the Panthers and Eels in its past two outings.

``Our forward pack got some big wraps after a few of our early wins, but perhaps we are missing some of that experience we lost,'' Bellamy said.

``It was all too easy for the new guys coming out of pre-season when everything was new and fresh. But now we are in to the weekly grind of the competition and perhaps we are missing the experience that Kearney, Howe and Williams gave us.''

Back-rowers Peter Robinson and Jamie Feeney are both pushing for selection after successful returns from injury.

Storm's completion rate was again its achilles heel on Saturday night, as it finished off just 27 of 39 sets. ``It is pretty simple. If you hang on to the ball you are a chance of winning a football game,'' Bellamy said.

``Parramatta completed 18 of 18 sets in the second half. The way we play we are never going to do that, but we have to get our percentage up better than it is at the moment.''

Bellamy joined the Australian Test team on the Gold Coast last night in his role as Wayne Bennett's assistant. He will continue to work with his Storm deputies Dean Lance and Michael Maguire to prepare the Melbourne team.

One positive for Storm on Saturday night was the strong debut of teenage winger Greg Inglis. Rushed into the side after the withdrawal of Jake Webster, who has a hamstring strain, Inglis, who has scored 12 tries in five games in the Queensland Cup this year, was impressive.

The young speedster is already the subject of an interstate wrangle between Queensland and New South Wales over State-of-Origin eligibility, and he lived up to the hype by scoring a try early in the second half against the Eels.

``He did a good job in what was a real knock 'em down, drag 'em out affair,'' Bellamy said of Inglis.

``He is still just a kid and they tested him, but he defused some good bombs, made some good runs and generally played very well for us. He is going to be a good player for us for a long time."


Heraldsun.com.au

[Super Cronk]

i reckon we bring Jamie mcdonald into the team when he played broncos he was a tough nut very agressive as he was vs panthers ....on the bench for kafusi he does nothing! we should also start white and bring robbo,feeney into the team.

[James]

On my way into the city this morning, I noticed the players were out training already. This was before 10, so it looks like the whips are cracking!!

Bring back Robbo!

[steaming stormer]

Robbo has to play. We need his size and experience back in the side. Plus he's got through 3 games at Norths now so his fitness should be ok too. Get him back, and Feeney if he played well at Norths. Hopefully Scooter won't be far away either. We need size and experience back in the pack... URGENTLY

[Super Cronk]

yeah for sure...




throw them in the side somewhere,ANYWHERE...we need a bit of size to go with our smaller blokes like hoffman and DJ aswell....kafusi is rubbish....

[steaming stormer]

Kafusi hasn't been our worst player lately, but if the others are fit, I think he misses out

[Super Cronk]

he hasnt been the worst he just doesnt do anything....

[James]

The other thing we need is a bench that gives us a 'lift'. It was always good when Danny took to the field, because he would put on a hit, or get some good metres, and the rest of the players would respond to that. Kidwell, I think, should be given this role, with Scooter or Robbo into the starting 13...

[Super Cronk]

jamie mcdonald could do that i reckon

[steaming stormer]

Kidwell must start. End of story. He is a star

[Earl]

Kidwell might not even play depending on how he pulls up on Friday.

I'd Go;

8. Robert Kearns
9. Cam Smith
10. Alex Chan (Really needs to lift his game IMO)
11. David Kidwell
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

14. Peter Robinson
15. Brett White
16. Jamie Feeney
17. Cooper Cronk/Jamie McDonald

[Dani_]

we spoke to kidwell and he said he'd definately back up, unless he had some bad injury

[Super Cronk]

Kidwell might not even play depending on how he pulls up on Friday.

I'd Go;

8. Robert Kearns
9. Cam Smith
10. Alex Chan (Really needs to lift his game IMO)
11. David Kidwell
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

14. Peter Robinson
15. Brett White
16. Jamie Feeney
17. Cooper Cronk/Jamie McDonald

that team looks pretty good.

[Earl]

While on selections is it just me or does anyone think Cooper Cronk is wasted?

He either needs to play 6, 7 or 9.

Cameron Smith is an 80 minute player. So carrying Cronk on the bench each week to me is a waste of foward space. Don't get me wrong though I'm as big a Cronk fan as the rest of you, but is their really a place in the team for him ATM?

[Super Cronk]

i was thinking the same thing....and i agree 110% by the time he is brought on the game is gone...and he is being wasted...i was thinking we could use mcdonald instead of cronk....