Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says his side will need all hands on deck when they lose their State of Origin stars for the clash with Parramatta Eels on Saturday night.
The full-strength Storm showed why they are on top of the ladder with a 42-12 win over Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, but they likely will lose six players from that side to Queensland duties.
Adding to those omissions are injury concerns for forwards Jesse Bromwich and Tohu Harris who sat out the end of Friday's game.
Bellamy said Bromwich had a back problem while the television broadcast claimed he took a knee to his calf.
Harris took a knock and sidelined for the last 15 minutes.
The Storm have also lost impressive hooker Brandon Smith, who damaged the scaphoid bone in his wrist last week and had surgery on Friday, which may leave him out for eight to 10 weeks.
The Storm haven't ruled him out for the season as they still believe he could help out in the finals for either the first grade side or feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.
"We will need all hands on deck next week with our Origin players out," Bellamy said.
"I don't think it was too serious with Jesse, but in the last 15 minutes we thought it was better to keep him [and Harris] off."
While the Storm expect to lose captain and hooker Cameron Smith, halfback Cooper Cronk, fullback Billy Slater, centre Will Chambers, forward Tim Glasby and five-eighth Cameron Munster, they will take heart from the capable work of their young understudies in recent weeks.
Queensland and New South Wales name their teams on Monday and the deciding game isn't until July 12, but the Storm have a bye the following weekend so they only lose their stars for the Eels game.
Teenage halfback Brodie Croft will take charge of the play-making. As long as Bromwich and Harris are fit, Bellamy will have the majority of his forward pack available, along with recruit Nate Myles, who may also be in line to play.
Melbourne has also added a new forward to their list with former Storm prop Robbie Rochow crossing from South Sydney for the rest of the season and in return the Storm have released Dean Britt to join the Rabbitohs whom he has signed with for 2018.
The Storm's outside backs were all in form against the Broncos, with Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Addo-Carr and Curtis Scott each scoring two tries.
But filling Smith's hooker role now becomes a headache as Slade Griffin and Brandon Smith had shared the role while their captain was out.
Rookie hooker Jake Turpin could be an option or the Storm could use a forward like Kenny Bromwich or Harris to pinch hit for 15-20 minutes.
Regardless, Bellamy said the Storm were yet to play their best football this season, despite their 13-3 [win-loss] record.
"I don't think we have played our best footy for consistent periods yet," Bellamy said.
"We have had some real good periods in games. The last two games were good examples of that, as we played good for 70 minutes and lost the plot in the last 10 minutes.
"We need to be more consistent and do some of the basics well for long periods, but it's a talented team and I'm proud of what these guys have done. And they don't look like they are sick of it either.
"We also have some young guys who have stepped up. For someone like Felise Kaufusi to have stepped up to playing full games this year, I didn't see that coming, and there are a lot of other guys who have done a terrific job as well."
The Storm host Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park on Saturday at 7.30pm.
Replies
I can't see Norman in the origin team
This Storm side all know their jobs and they'll come out and produce what they always do every week.
We can win this but we must match them in the middle and make yards either through the middle or early shifts to the edges.
If we go one out, make 30m on a set and kick to the corners waiting for a mistake we will be waiting all night.
If we can match their forwards and play with good field position we should win well.
There's no excuses!
Its apparent very very structured with massive fines if you go out of that system.
If you are looking for a cuddle or an easy time - you go elsewhere.
They do more repetitive training than any other side on the basics and their pre season is absolutely legendary in terms of its brutality.
It's honest and brutal.
Someone like Jarryd Hayne would absolutely hate it at the Storm but a player like Nathan Peats would thrive.
I was watching Bellamy on TV lose his shit when Chambers lost the ball in the 76th minute against the Broncos..the storm were up by 20 points at that stage.
I'm told Chambers would be expected to account for his infraction to the coach. - that's why they are successful and deserve everything they win.
BA knows all about the system and is no doubt trying to replicate it at the Eels - but it takes time.