Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has defended his halfback Cooper Cronk, whose form has been criticised in the Storm's inconsistent start to the NRL season.
Ahead of their clash with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday Bellamy says the Test No.7 has been playing well in trying circumstances with the Storm hit by a series of injuries to their backline.
Test and Queensland Origin centre Will Chambers is the latest casualty with a fractured foot, joining fullback Billy Slater and teenage centre Curtis Scott on the sidelines.
The Storm lost their Monday night clash to the Bulldogs and dropped back to sixth on the NRL ladder.
"Cooper's not completely happy with the way he's playing at the moment but he's playing his role really well for us," Bellamy said.
"There's some other things happening around him that seems to be changing each week which makes it hard with combinations."
Cronk admitted recently his ongoing contract negotiations could be weighing on his mind and Bellamy said he would like to see it resolved.
"Everyone at the club and probably Cooper himself would like to see it get done as soon as possible so everyone can move on," Bellamy said.
With Chambers out for three months Bellamy said Richie Kennar was likely to start in the centres while Cheyse Blair, who has also been out injured, would come into contention with some more game time for their feeder side Easts Tigers.
Bellamy said the Tigers, who had a two point loss to the Knights, would also be a tough challenge, rating their backline as one of the best in the competition.
"They've lost a couple of close games and their attack, with their outside backs, is very sharp," Bellamy said.
"They provide a lot of challenges for you."
The Tigers will be without injured skipper NSW Origin prop Aaron Woods, which Bellamy said would be a blow for the home side.
"He plays long periods for a guy his size so they will miss him but it's like our situation with Will, you can't sit back cry about it you just put someone in and hope they do the job."
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