LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Craig Bellamy believes that with only one State of Origin player needing to back up this weekend, the Melbourne Storm could be in for a nice little boost in their quest for premiership glory.
With years of experience handling the toll that Origin can take on players, Bellamy sees a slight advantage for his ladder-topping team as they aim for a top-two finish.
Having just their hooker and captain Harry Grant backing up for this weekend's clash with the Roosters after a grueling Origin decider, the Storm are in a good position compared to past years when they had a multitude of players involved in Origin battles.
Bellamy admitted that the effects of extra games, extra work, and the mental strain can be felt for weeks afterwards.
"It definitely takes a toll for the next month or so," Bellamy said.
"Having a lot of guys in Origin can make it tough for them to recover mentally, not just physically.
The mental build-up to Origin is huge - it's like the biggest event in the sport besides the grand final.
So, the let-down after that can be tough on the players, regardless of the outcome."
With only one player having to juggle Origin commitments this weekend, the Storm may have a slight advantage over their competition as they aim for premiership success.
Bellamy's experience and insight into the mental and physical demands of Origin could prove crucial as the season progresses.