Retiring Melbourne star Billy Slater will miss his final home and away match at AAMI Park against Penrith on Friday night after flying to Cairns to be with a seriously ill family member.
"Unfortunately there's been an illness in his family up in north Queensland and family is more important than footy," Storm coach Bellamy said on Thursday.
"The family are going through a reasonably tough time up there at the moment and we want to support him any way we can."
Bellamy said that Jahrome Hughes would take over at fullback, leaving Brodie Croft at halfback where Hughes has also spent some time.
"At this stage he's done a great job when he's filled in for Bill so I imagine he will be playing that position," Bellamy said of Hughes.
Slater didn't return to Melbourne following their win over Gold Coast and three-day camp in northern NSW and instead flew north.
Bellamy said it was too early to say if Slater would be available for week one of the NRL finals.
The AAMI Park match had been hyped around Slater's final regular round game, with the Test fullback to retire after 16 seasons with Melbourne.
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