Melbourne Storm’s head coach Craig Bellamy and star player Cameron Munster have publicly expressed their frustration over the team’s recent performances, raising concerns about their readiness for the finals. After a disappointing 30-14 loss to the Brisbane Broncos, Bellamy questioned his players’ desire to win, while Munster criticized the team’s attitude.
The Storm’s defensive frailties were laid bare as they conceded 40 points in the second half against the Roosters last week. Bellamy’s post-match comments highlighted his dissatisfaction, stating, “Disappointing again to be quite honest. We started the game, looked like we lacked the whole loop of patience. Pretty undisciplined as well, a lot of penalties and six agains.”
Storm’s Defensive Struggles
The Storm’s defensive record has been a cause for concern, with Bellamy emphasizing the importance of defense in winning big games. “With the team we’ve got, we’ve probably been a bit more known for our attack the last couple of years, but defense is what wins big games,” he said. “Big games are just about to start and we’re nowhere near where we should be in that department.”
Bellamy appeared despondent during the press conference, admitting he was “p*ssed off at a few things” and questioning the team’s desire to win the competition this year. “I’m doubting that at the moment,” Bellamy said. “Two weeks of it (poor performances) so, we’ll see next week. That’s when we’ll find out.”
Injury Concerns and Team Dynamics
The loss to the Broncos was further compounded by a suspected broken wrist for Jahrome Hughes. Bellamy acknowledged the potential mistake in selecting Hughes to return from a shoulder injury in a game that had no bearing on the Storm’s position on the ladder. “Actually, I’m not quite sure if it’s his wrist or just halfway up the forearm, but I think it’s a break without a doubt,” Bellamy said. “He’s in plaster already. That wasn’t a great idea to put him back in this week, but anyway.”
Munster, while acknowledging Hughes’ importance, expressed confidence in the back-up halves Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet. “It would be nice, but we’ve got Pezet and Wishart there, they are good quality players,” Munster said. “I played with them last three or four weeks before Jahrome came back, so we had a really good combination.”
Attitude and Preparation: A Call for Change
Munster’s critique of the team’s attitude was stark, emphasizing the need for a tougher approach. “If we can work on our defense, points will come. We’ve got to have a good hard look at ourselves and our defense if we just have an attitude problem. At the moment, the last couple of weeks, our attitude stinks,” he stated.
He urged the team to focus on performance rather than relying solely on preparation. “Disappointing leaking that many points, but we tried to address it in the week,” Munster said. “I thought we had a great preparation. I thought we really had our heads on. But sometimes the preparation doesn’t mean you’re going to play well on the weekend.”
“Like Bellyache talks about, bite on the mouth guard and get your shoulders ready for next week and it is one of those things that we have to address because Dogs are a good team and they won’t go away,” Munster added.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
The Storm’s upcoming match against the Bulldogs presents both a challenge and an opportunity to address their defensive issues. Playing at home may provide some advantage, but as Munster noted, “The crowd’s not going to always get us home, but it’ll be nice to play in front of our home crowd and fingers crossed we can deliver.”
The team’s ability to regroup and refocus will be critical as they approach the finals. With Bellamy and Munster’s candid assessments, the Storm have a clear understanding of the areas needing improvement. The coming weeks will reveal whether they can rise to the occasion and reestablish themselves as serious contenders.
