Storm expects Smith’s NRL milestone to lift teammates
MELBOURNE is counting on Cameron Smith’s 400-game milestone to rally its troops for the match against Cronulla tonight.
Coach Craig Bellamy said his Queensland representatives — Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch — were downcast following their tight Origin series loss to NSW.
His Blues men, Josh AddoCarr and Dale Finucane, are in contrast on “cloud nine”.
But Bellamy said all were desperate to play in the AAMI Park match to honour their captain, who becomes the first NRL player to reach the magical mark.
“I don’t think there is too much physically wrong with them,” Bellamy said yesterday.
“They will have some bumps and bruises, no doubt, and there is a couple of them we need to check but they all want to play.
“It’s a big occasion — besides being our captain and the first player to do this, Cameron is popular among the group, so they are all really keen. But we will work out what is best for the team.”
Bellamy said there was a feeling of excitement — rather than pressure — among his players.
“They are excited for Cameron and also about the chance to play in such historic game, so we want to perform well,” he said.
Melbourne and the NRL are planning plenty of fanfare for Smith, including a lightshow, guard of honour featuring former teammates, and the post-match presentation of a specially-designed crystal football.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a Sharks fan, will be in attendance.
The only Storm player in serious doubt is Kiwi Test prop Jesse Bromwich, who has been battling a virus in recent weeks and will need a medical clearance to play.
“We haven’t seen him all week,” Bellamy said.
“He came back from the Kiwi camp not feeling so good and he’s been feeling flat the last couple of weeks.”
There’s no love lost between the Storm and Cronulla, who squared off in the 2016 grand final.