Storm star set to miss Titans after ugly Origin outing
Melissa Woods |
Skipper Harry Grant is set to sit out Melbourne’s NRL clash with Gold Coast after his State of Origin shocker.
The star hooker was the only member of the Storm’s Origin contingent to return to Melbourne from Brisbane, given Saturday’s clash is a Titans home game at Cbus Super Stadium.
Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu all remained in Queensland, with Melbourne players joining them later on Friday.
Despite flying home Grant was a notable absence from their captain’s run.
He went into Origin I on Wednesday night with just 55 minutes game time in six weeks under his belt due a hamstring injury, and turned in his worst ever performance as Queensland lost 18-6.
With Bellamy on the NSW coaching staff, the Blues forwards targeted the 27-year-old, forcing him into 43 tackles which emptied his fuel tank, with Grant making only five runs for 23 metres.
Bellamy was cagey about his captain facing the Titans before conceding it was unlikely.
“Obviously he (Grant) hasn’t played much footy,” Bellamy said Friday.
“He’s OK physically … like the others, he’s disappointed in the result as you would be.
“He seems OK this morning, I haven’t ruled him out at the moment but he’s probably doubtful, to be quite honest, especially with the amount of footy he hasn’t played.
“We’re just trying to do what we think is best for tomorrow afternoon but also do what’s right by the players too.
“We’ll see how they are when we get up there … see how they’re feeling.”
Burly centre Jack Howarth could make a return from six weeks out with a shoulder dislocation after being named in the reserves.
The youngster didn’t look restricted by the injury but Bellamy said he hadn’t done a lot of contact work.
“He’s (Howarth) got through most of the training without doing a whole heap of contact this week so it’s another step up for him today.”
When Bellamy was the head NSW Origin coach from 2008-10 he spoke of discomfort plotting against his Storm players, including Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.
But taking on an advisory role to coach Laurie Daley rather than calling the shots, Bellamy said he “really enjoyed” the return to the Blues’ box.
“I wasn’t in the camp the whole time … it’s obviously enjoyable when you get the win, they’re a really good group of guys, staff and players.”
Both the Storm (fourth) and Titans (16th) are coming off the bye, with Melbourne looking for some consistency after trading wins and losses in the past six rounds.
Bellamy said Gold Coast, who have the worst defensive record in the competition, had plenty of strike power.
“They probably haven’t got the results that they want and they’ve lost a few close games,” he said.
“They’ve come back a couple of times and won close games as well so they’ve certainly got some guys who can run the footy really well.
“We just need to make sure we’re aware of that tomorrow night and make sure our defence is up to scratch.”
AAP
