Bellamy lashing behind Storm NRL revival
Mar 28, 2017 - 4:25 AM Melbourne's very own cyclone hit their NRL change-room at halftime against West Tigers on Sunday in the form of coach Craig Bellamy.But rather than cause damage, the lashing from Bellamy produced a second-half revival that kept their unbeaten start to the NRL season intact.
In the early days of Bellamy's reign at the Storm the players used to joke they needed rain coats when the coach gave them a lashing, such was the spit that accompanied his rage.
Veteran centre Will Chambers said it was trademark Bellamy at Leichhardt, with his coach furious at their uncharacteristically sloppy start.
"It was a fair one (spray)," Chambers said on Tuesday.
"He's calmed down over the last couple of years - when I first started it was Craig at his real best.
"He gave us one on the weekend which was pretty good."
While the Storm regrouped to post a 22-14 victory against the bottom-placed Tigers, they are expecting fifth-placed Penrith to not give them the same leeway at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
"We need to start well this week, especially against Penrith," Chambers said.
"They're a team that if we give them as much opportunity as we gave Wests, they'll really put us to the sword.
"We need to be right on our game early on."
The Storm boast the best defensive record after four rounds this season, while the Panthers are No.2.
Chambers said they will need to call on that defence to limit the damage done by Panthers, who scored seven tries in a 40-0 romp against Newcastle last round.
"They play an exciting style of footy and can score points from anywhere on the field so if our defence isn't on, they'll really hurt us," he said.
"We know we have to turn up this week. It's going to be a tough game on Saturday night."
The Storm are ranked fifth in attack, but Chambers felt there was plenty of room for improvement with star fullback Billy Slater still finding his feet following his long absence after shoulder surgery.
"Bill adds another string to our bow. He's a world-class fullback and he's only two games back and the longer he's back out there, the more fluid we will get," Chambers said.
"If we can get the attack right, we'll be a fair footy side."
Source: AAP
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