LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Craig Bellamy, the seasoned head honcho of the Melbourne Storm, has thrown down the gauntlet and declared that he will be looking to give some of his players a breather over the final kicks of the 2024 NRL season.
The wily coach, who has been around the block a few times during his stint at the club, knows the importance of finishing strong in the top four, a feat the Storm have already locked in.
However, he believes that securing a top two spot and getting those crucial home games would provide an even bigger leg up in the finals.
Bellamy hinted that the club might stagger the rest periods for players over the next few weeks, rather than benching them all at once.
"It's a huge advantage to be in the top four, but snagging that top two spot and having the crowd on your side at home games is the cherry on top.
I reckon we've pretty much got that in the bag," Bellamy shared during his post-game spiel following the Storm's crucial victory over the Penrith Panthers, putting them ahead by a comfortable four-point margin in the minor premiership race.
"Penrith are nipping at the heels, only two wins behind with three games left to play.
We've got a few boys who could use a breather, but we'll let them have their say on when and how we handle it, whether we go all out in one game or save the ammunition for the next three."
With their eyes on the prize, Bellamy and his Storm troops are strategizing their moves as they gear up for the final showdowns of the season.