Storm expect Smith record to lift players

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says Cameron Smith's 400-game milestone will give his players a lift, including the losing Queensland Origin contingent.

STATE OF ORIGIN III

Melbourne Storm's beaten Maroons will lift for Cameron Smith's 400th NRL game. (AAP)

Melbourne are counting on Cameron Smith's 400 game milestone to rally their troops for their NRL match against Cronulla on Saturday night.

Coach Craig Bellamy said his Queensland representatives - Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi, Christian Welch - were downcast following their tight Origin series loss to NSW.

His Blues men, Josh Addo-Carr and Dale Finucane, were 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 player to reach the magical mark.

"I don't think there is too much physically wrong with them," Bellamy said on Friday.

"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 amongst his players rather than pressure.

"They are excited for Cameron and also about the chance to play in such historic game so we want to perform well."

Melbourne and the NRL are planning plenty of fanfare for Smith, including a light-show, 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.

Bellamy said the Sharks, who will be missing skipper Paul Gallen through injury, would like nothing more than to rain on Smith's parade.

"The last three games they've lost but they've scored more tries than the opposition so we know they don't have too many problems scoring," Bellamy said.

"They've got (Andrew) Fifita back and he's a huge in for them.

"(Matt) Moylan is back and (Shaun) Johnson so those guys, with a couple of games under their belt, are going to be really dangerous.

"They will come here looking to spoil the party."


Share
3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world