Melbourne NRL coach Craig Bellamy says Canberra coach David Furner must think the Storm are a “bunch of hillbillies” to be dumb enough to teach their players to tackle around the heads of opponents.
The Storm were accused by Furner of using a new tackling technique, which employs a wrestling manoeuvre dubbed the “chin strap”.
Bellamy looked like he wanted to put someone in a headlock himself as he addressed the media before training on Wednesday to defend his players.
Before taking any questions, he teed off on Furner and the Raiders, who sent the NRL footage of six tackles by Storm players during their 24-19 loss they believed was proof.
Bellamy conceded one of those tackles, by Todd Lowrie on Brett White, should have been penalised but said there was no head-high wrestling technique.
“I’m not quite sure whether David Furner thinks we’re a bunch of hillbillies down here,” Bellamy said.
“… If he thinks we actually teach our players to attack the head and necks of other players when that part of the game is so highly under scrutiny these days by the referee, by the review committee.
“I know we’re not that smart but we ain’t that dumb either.”
The Storm have previously been accused of devising other suspect tackling techniques including the “chicken wing”, the “grapple” and the “crusher”.
Bellamy said his players and their tackling techniques were an easy target for individuals and opposition clubs under pressure.
Canberra, under Furner, finished second last in the 2011 competition.
“We’re an easy target to deflect that pressure after the week they’ve played us or the week leading up to when they play us,” Bellamy said.
“It seems as though my players’ tackling technique seems to be a favourite topic.”
He said the Storm only expected to be treated like any other side and, if there were any problems, he wanted to hear from the referee or the match review committee.
Melbourne were infuriated that the Raiders aired their grievances with the media before referees’ bosses Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper had received the vision of the tackles.
“We’ve had no problem with the referees – no problems with the review committee,” Bellamy said.
“We played Canberra in a trial three weeks ago – there wasn’t a peep about it. We played the Broncos – there wasn’t a peep about it.
“All of a sudden, we play our first game and win a very close, tight game … then it comes out three days after the game.
“You can understand our frustration there.
“They (Storm players) thought it was a bit of a joke,” Bellamy said of the criticism.
“It seems to not worry them too much. It’s like water off a duck’s back.
“It’s happened before and is probably going to happen again.”
Melbourne face Souths in round two at AAMI Park on Sunday night. The coach didn’t believe the furore would affect preparations to play a side that includes some of their former favourite sons in Greg Inglis, Michael Crocker and Matt King and is coached by former assistant Michael Maguire.
john
Guest
after the storm told them we have footage for you to look at not different at all blazza
Nathan of Perth
Guest
It's the Manly Sea Eagles/Elphaba from Wicked reponse. If you're going to be hated anyway, no point being a martyr about it, just enjoy being a villain!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
I bet he'd love the team if they were from Sydney~
gleeso
Guest
Bellamy has no dignity.
turbodewd
Guest
Considering the Storm salary cap scandal, they shud really be trying to maintain a clean image. They are becoming infamous for pushing the boundaries of acceptable tackling techniques. These chin strap tackling techniques are ugly and should be penalised. The Storm are a great side, why resort to such lameo tactics???
JCVD
Guest
Only after complaining to the media they had video footage of the incident and saying petero should be suspended did the nrl request it
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The Storm are the biggest bunch of cheating scum in the NRL. Go through every game in round 1 and try to find one "chinstrap" tackle performed by any other player in any team. Now watch the Storm. To even think they can brush this one under the carpet is a joke. Bellamy and his staff should resign before they destroy the clubs reputation forever. I can't believe he got away with pleading ignorance during the salary rort. Soon they will be telling us there was actually nuclear weapons in Iraq.
oikee
Guest
I have mentioned how to fix this, any new wrestling tactic has to be run past the commish and then passed by the other teams before the season begins. If the refs see anything new each year without knowing what it is, penalise them, put them on report. Easy fix. Our refs are not known for being able to see things, OPSM is their sponser. Next we can show them what it means when a ball comes flying out of the tackle. It has been punched, balls just dont fly. Our refs really need help. We have a video ref who could be helping, we could also change the ruling at a scrum, like the yanks do. (if the video ref has seen the ball was punched out, when we come back from the ad, the ref can make a call and say he has changed his decision, penalty instead of scrum. Who cares, it is then the right call). The penalised team cant complain, they punched out the ball and they got caught, good. This way no one, or hardly any mistakes are made, plus it gives you a bit of extra time at the scrum, which is what silly nine want. You solve 2 problems at once.
Jaceman
Guest
Fairfax press Canberra Times having a go at News Ltd owned Storm
Gareth
Guest
Get your hand off it, Bellamy. It's always been a feature of the Storm to play right to the boundaries of the rules and constantly test them, and it's one of the reasons for your ongoing success. We fans aren't hillbillies either.
baller
Guest
they didnt have anything to compalin about in 2010 they were all too busy counting there money lol ......
Blazza
Guest
Really ? Really ? Really ? People still going on about salary cap rubbish that now has nothing to do with anything. As a Storm fan i enjoy all the hatred put towards my team. Its just jealousy, every team that dominates the ruck like Melbourne and Manly tend to be on top of the ladder year in year out and teams that don't are always down the bottom. And to say they intentionally attack the head to injure a players is absurd. I love how you opposing fans love our players if they play for you state and country, or when they are free agents you want them on your team but as soon as they do anything wrong or dominate your team its oh there dirty players and their cheats. And its even funnier when Melbourne played for nothing in 2010 no one complained about anything, and then come 2011 when we are back on top teams and fans complain again. Hope your team has a great year and does nothing controversial.
Blazza
Guest
The NRL requested their footage, completely different.
john
Guest
funny how the storm are upset another team sent footage of them doing the wrong thing to the nrl, when they did the same thing to petro and the broncos
Maximus
Guest
Storms tackling techniques have always been questionable and in the heavy grounds last week things may have gone awry. Bellamy knows referees are told to keep the game going and are rewarded for low penalty counts so tackling on the margins has become an art form. The refs just have to get the green light from hatrrigan and be stronger. They dont call him bellyache for nothing,...
Will Sinclair
Guest
I'm really sick and tired of the Melbourne Storm, and their coach. It's not enough that they indulged in season after season of systematic cheating of the salary cap, it's not enough that they coach their team to dangerously choke opposition players through the grapple and the crusher, or to rip their arms out of the socket with the chicken wing tackle... No, that's not enough. We also have to listen to them whinge every time they're caught cheating. Here's an idea "Bellyache" - try playing according to the rules for a couple of seasons, and maybe then you'll stop being treated as a bunch of cheats.
Karen Addis
Guest
First game played, and they rubbish the Storm again, could you Please put on your thinking caps and think about the damage you are doing? You need common sense in all things