Cam blocks out noise
MELBOURNE skipper Cameron Smith yesterday hit back at Phil Gould after the premiership-winning Panthers supremo raised queries over the Storm’s title favouritism by labelling them “overrated”.
The Storm charged to the minor premiership in one of the most dominant seasons in history, but Gould believes the Melbourne juggernaut could splutter in the grand final against the Cowboys on Sunday night.
Providing a critique of the Storm on his Channel 9 podcast, Gould – the two-time premiership coach – lashed Craig Bellamy’s troops, saying Melbourne have lost their edge in the finals.
“I haven’t been a fan of the way the Melbourne Storm have been playing in recent times,” Gould said.
“I think they’ve sort of been overrated a little bit. I know they finished a long way in front in the premiership ladder, but if you look at their two finals games I think they were pretty fortunate.
“They’ve got some improving to do and I doubt Craig Bellamy would think differently.”
Smith begged to differ, with the newly crowned Dally M Medallist scoffing at suggestions the Storm have lost their way.
While he concedes Melbourne haven’t been at their optimum in victories over Parramatta and the Broncos, the Storm skipper strongly disagreed with Gould.
“It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” he said.
“For us, it’s not about what people say about our football side or capabilities, whether they rate us as a good side or a bad side. It’s about what we believe is going to work on Sunday against the Cowboys and that’s what we’ve done all season. People have been saying we are one of the greatest sides they have seen, we win by a few points against Parramatta and then all of a sudden they have found a way to beat our side.
“This week is all about putting together a strong 80minute performance.”
Gould is adamant the Cowboys can pull off the type of boilover that saw Brisbane stun Melbourne in 2006.