Roosters happy to rain on Bellamy’s Storm parade
Melissa Woods |
Hailing rival coach and milestone man Craig Bellamy for “changing the game”, Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is still happy to spoil the Storm party in their must-win match in Melbourne.
The Roosters sit eighth on the ladder but can’t afford to drop their final two games against the Storm and South Sydney, with the Dolphins and Manly also hoping to seal the last playoff spot.
Their preparation was rocked this week with the club dragged into a police investigation into Souths hooker Brandon Smith.
Melbourne already have their top-two ladder spot locked in but are looking to celebrate Bellamy’s 600th match in charge of the club at AAMI Park on Friday night.
They are also set to welcome back New Zealand Test winger Will Warbrick, who has only managed two matches and hasn’t played since round four due to debilitating concussion symptoms.
Robinson said Bellamy had broken new ground in Melbourne, building the club into a NRL heavyweight.
He said Bellamy also changed the way clubs used their spine position players, with the Storm boasting the best in the business for almost 20 years under Bellamy’s watch.
“Yeah, he’s changed the game … he came down and he set up one of the strongest clubs in the game and in the world in sports so that’s a real achievement,” Robinson said.
“There’s multiple things that have shifted – probably the biggest thing is the way that they sort of manage the nine-seven-six and one.
“It was quite unique at the time, the amount of domination they had in those four positions.”
Despite his admiration Robinson had no hesitation in shutting down the Bellamy party.
“That’s obviously the plan – you can really respect someone, and also … we have a mission to go down there and get the job done, so that doesn’t shift our focus,” the coach said.
“You can still celebrate someone and and go and do what the Roosters need to do.”
Robinson said the players had remained focus on the Storm despite the Roosters’ connection to the Smith allegations.
“The focus is really clear, and we go about doing our job.
“We feel like we’re a strong team and a strong culture, and this isn’t going to deviate from what our role is and and that’s to play really well tomorrow night.”
Bellamy handed pre-match media duties to his assistant coach, former Storm player Ryan Hinchcliffe, after a busy week.
Hinchcliffe said he expected the players to lift for their coach’s milestone game.
“Without a doubt we always want to make milestone games special moments … this is an important game for Craig, so we need to go out and play accordingly,” he said.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has finally broken back into the top squad following a two-game ban and then being relegated to the Q-Cup.
Hinchliffe said he hoped the giant prop, who missed last year’s grand final through suspension, could stay out of on-field trouble.
“He’s sort of been walking on that line a fair bit, but we’re really glad to have Nelson back in the team as he’s one of the best front rowers in the competition. When he’s playing he’s at his very best.”
AAP
