LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Storm star Josh King has suggested that several key players will return this week as the premiership favorites aim to bounce back from last week's disappointing loss to the Roosters, gearing up for their finals campaign.
Melbourne opted to rest players like King, Xavier Coates, and Eli Katoa, yet they managed to defend robustly during Craig Bellamy's 600th match as coach, leading 10-0 at halftime against a desperate Roosters team.
However, the situation deteriorated in the second half, with the Roosters scoring 40 unanswered points, and Canberra's subsequent victory concluded the minor premiership race.
Bitterly disappointed, Bellamy described his team's performance as "as soft as butter," indicating that the Broncos might face significant pressure as they vie for a fourth-place finish.
"The weekend didn't go as we would have liked, but we spoke about how that one game doesn't define the season," King stated. "We haven't lost anything and you don't lose how you like to play or the way you've been playing for the last 25 rounds."
"It's just about refocusing and tidying up a few areas. It's something as a leadership group that we want to drive this week and bring a lot of energy around that," he added.