INJURYS
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/i ... 6110431193
It's a hurting game as injuries mount for Melbourne Storm Russell Gould
INJURIES are hampering Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy's chances of working out his best 17 before the finals.
Bellamy has had to constantly change his side this season, with the team selected on a Tuesday running out on game day just twice.
On Saturday night against Penrith, Bellamy lost prop Jesse Bromwich to an elbow injury before the game, and Adam Woolnough hurt his ankle during the game.
Bellamy said he would prepare a group of 20 or 22 players for Saturday night's away clash against the Gold Coast Titans.
He said they would form his preferred team and hope the best 17 was available.
"I don't know whether there's too much point trying to get settled on your best 17 because it's a body-contact sport and injuries are going to happen. So you take it week by week and see who is available," he said.
"Matt Duffie was getting ready to play against the Broncos (in Round 20) and hasn't played since. You just can't plan for those things.
"We're trying to put our best 17 out there each week, but you don't get much out of thinking who that is at the moment. Instead, you are thinking about who is your best 22 and work with that.
"And if you can, you get games in to many guys."
He got game time in to veteran winger Anthony Quinn on Saturday night, who played for the first time since Round 14 for just his ninth game of the season.
"We just wanted to give Quinny a bit of time. We don't have that far to go," Bellamy said.
"It's not going to be the same 17 each week from here until September, and we want to have all our players conditioned for NRL footy."
Bellamy won't be toying with his line-up unnecessarily and, after nursing his stars through the post-Origin letdown, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Dane Nielsen are back in full training and set to peak for the finals.
The entire group will get a break, with everyone staying on the Gold Coast after the game until Tuesday.
Cronk said it was something the club has done over the past couple of years.
"We've got a pretty strenuous schedule coming up with Manly and the Dragons back-to-back.
"The sports science and coaching staff have got all the measures in place if we're tired or overtrain."
It's a hurting game as injuries mount for Melbourne Storm Russell Gould
INJURIES are hampering Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy's chances of working out his best 17 before the finals.
Bellamy has had to constantly change his side this season, with the team selected on a Tuesday running out on game day just twice.
On Saturday night against Penrith, Bellamy lost prop Jesse Bromwich to an elbow injury before the game, and Adam Woolnough hurt his ankle during the game.
Bellamy said he would prepare a group of 20 or 22 players for Saturday night's away clash against the Gold Coast Titans.
He said they would form his preferred team and hope the best 17 was available.
"I don't know whether there's too much point trying to get settled on your best 17 because it's a body-contact sport and injuries are going to happen. So you take it week by week and see who is available," he said.
"Matt Duffie was getting ready to play against the Broncos (in Round 20) and hasn't played since. You just can't plan for those things.
"We're trying to put our best 17 out there each week, but you don't get much out of thinking who that is at the moment. Instead, you are thinking about who is your best 22 and work with that.
"And if you can, you get games in to many guys."
He got game time in to veteran winger Anthony Quinn on Saturday night, who played for the first time since Round 14 for just his ninth game of the season.
"We just wanted to give Quinny a bit of time. We don't have that far to go," Bellamy said.
"It's not going to be the same 17 each week from here until September, and we want to have all our players conditioned for NRL footy."
Bellamy won't be toying with his line-up unnecessarily and, after nursing his stars through the post-Origin letdown, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Dane Nielsen are back in full training and set to peak for the finals.
The entire group will get a break, with everyone staying on the Gold Coast after the game until Tuesday.
Cronk said it was something the club has done over the past couple of years.
"We've got a pretty strenuous schedule coming up with Manly and the Dragons back-to-back.
"The sports science and coaching staff have got all the measures in place if we're tired or overtrain."