Storm told to seize the day
MELBOURNE: Seize the day.
That is Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy’s directive to his players as they contemplate the postCooper Cronk era.
The Storm’s masterful halfback is poised to play his last home match for the Storm, headed either for retirement or a Sydney club after this season.
Veteran fullback Billy Slater’s future remains up in the air as he weighs up whether to play on, and Melbourne faces the offseason departure of other key personnel in Tohu Harris and Jordan McLean.
Before tonight’s grand final qualifier against Brisbane in Melbourne, Bellamy told his minor premiers to embrace the opportunity they have created.
In the last of many seasons with all of his ‘‘big three’’ together — Cronk, Slater and Cameron Smith, Bellamy says there are no guarantees about such a strong title shot occurring again in the near future.
‘‘You talk about opportunities, we’re not going to get to play again with Cooper in our team at AAMI Park and that’s sad enough in itself,’’ Bellamy said yesterday.
‘‘It’s more the opportunity — these guys have created a great opportunity for themselves this year. Now’s the time to take advantage of that opportunity.
‘‘Without putting pressure on the group, you don’t get these opportunities often and you want to take them. That’s been our main thought this week. Our focus has been about how this is about everyone.
‘‘Next year you don’t know where you’re going to be, you don’t know whether you’re going to be injured. It’s a unique opportunity.’’
Just like South Sydney in 2014, North Queensland in 2015 and Cronulla in 2016, there is a sense of destiny about the 2017 Storm side as one of the greatest club combinations prepares to break up.
Melbourne has dominated the competition this year, winning 20 of 24 games during the regular season.
The Storm also has the wood over the Broncos, winning 28 of their 42 meetings including 12 of their last 14.
Melbourne has played in seven grand finals since it entered the competition in 1998, winning four.
Brisbane has played in four over that same period, winning three. — NZN