Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is threatening to withdraw some of his players from their 2013 round-two clash with North Queensland, saying the NRL draw threatens their health.
He also sees the draw as unfair with his team receiving five five-day breaks, more than any other side.
The defending premiers play the Cowboys in the heat of North Queensland on Saturday March 16, with the game kicking off at 6.30pm local time.
They are then required to return to Melbourne for a grand final rematch against the Bulldogs on the Thursday night, a five-day turn-around.
With the bulk of the team returning for pre-season training in Melbourne on Monday a furious Bellamy said the draw showed a lack of “common sense”.
“The NRL and the Players’ Association talked to doctors about the shoulder charge but is anyone talking to them about dehydration?
“It takes us a full day to get to the Cowboys and it’s basically still summer time.
“It’s really hot and humid and then it’s a full day’s travel back and then they expect us to play four days later.
“We’re really worried about the welfare of our players, so we’re told, but are any doctors being asked about their opinions on what this does to players.
“We feel we’ve been shafted with that turnaround between the Cowboys and Bulldogs.”
He said he would consider resting players from the North Queensland game.
“I’m really concerned about our players and if I think it’s dangerous for some of our players then they won’t be playing up there.”
The coach said he was made aware of the draw while enjoying a holiday break on a Queensland beach, late the afternoon before it was made public.
He said the NRL should follow the AFL’s lead and give clubs at least a few days to voice their concerns about the draw.
“Then there’s still time to perhaps change it.
“And going back to the AFL, none of their teams have five-day turnarounds and with all due respect I think our game’s a bit more physical in contact than their game.”
Bellamy said it was time for the Players’ Association to stand up for the players.
While most of the Storm players got their pre-season underway, superstars Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk won’t be seen until after Christmas.
Veteran half Brett Finch, who is returning for a second stint, will be on deck in early December.
mushi
Roar Guru
this is based on the assumption that Fox would outbid nine on it's own rather than continue with the current joint bid format
JayBob
Guest
Great comeback, didn't expect much more from a Storm fan. Please explain to me why we never received penalties then? It wasn't just that we got penalised a lot(I agree, that can be our bad discipline). We consistently received a low amount of penalties as well. The only way that could possibly make sense is if every time we played a team they all of a sudden had good discipline and didn't put a foot wrong. Given the fact this trend continued throughout the whole year, it is highly unlikely that it's just a coincidence. But anyway that's besides my point. I was merely pointing out that Storm actually have it pretty good, better than every other club, but you wouldn't know with all the whining and complaining you hear from south of the border. It seems a lot of Storm fans have no idea how much help they actually receive from the NRL. And all this crap about NSW conspiracies coming from both QLD and VIC is getting real old. Especially considering the Sydney teams have it the toughest.
Pollock
Guest
I'm am so sick of Bellamy whining about everything that now when he has a reasonable grip you ignore it as moaning and bitching about something that doesn't suit him.
Renegade
Guest
I'll have a guess and say that your a bulldogs fan......did you think that maybe the reason you got penalised the most is because the team is full of grubs?!?!
Confucius
Guest
The ALRC knew exactly what they were doing so inexperience excuse is BS.....
oikee
Guest
OH, and i agree with Bellamy, the ARLC rushed the draw through and got it wrong. They should have shown the clubs like the AFL do. Admit you got it wrong, learn from our mistakes, first time we used this setup, and move on. Weather they can adjust the draw or not, time will tell. But it is not a catastrophy. Live and we learn.
JayBob
Guest
That's why the NRL gives Melbourne $4-5 million extra each year hey? I'm sick of people feeling sorry for Melbourne, and this apparent NSW conspiracy. Why is it that Melbourne had the best penalty differential last year and Bulldogs had the worst? If the league wanted a team from Western Sydney to win then it is pretty strange to try and penalise them out of every game. Melbourne aren't on FTA much because they STILL don't have enough fans. Imagine if they were an average team over the last decade, rather than a highly successful one, they'd probably have 10 fans(you can see why the NRL tries to help them so much, and how ironic it is that fans think they are hard done by). Bulldogs are on FTA because they are popular, simple really. Personally I would prefer them on Fox because I'd rather watch it in HD without ads. Also I live 3 hours away so it's impossible for me to attend any of those Friday night games. I should complain about it but it'll probably just get lost in the incessant whining from everyone else, especially the Storm. BTW Bulldogs played every other top 4 team twice last year, the Storm only played the Bulldogs twice(from the top 4). So you think the Storm had a harder draw because they played the Broncos, Raiders & Sharks twice whereas the Bulldogs played the Rabbits and Eagles twice? The top 4 were clearly ahead of the rest, and the next 4 weren't much better than the other 8 sides. Storm should have had a harder draw due to their relative position in the prior year, but they still had an easier one.
oikee
Guest
At least Bellamy and his club have pride in playing the World Club Challenge. They will be taking on Leeds Rhinos, one of the biggest rugby league clubs in Britian. And i am sure they will be taking this serious, it wont be a sideshow or Kontiki tour. If it ever comes to that, the winning finalist should be banned from international sport. Keep them home in a paddock . I cant believe what some people can write about a brilliant concept. Being shallow minded really has to stop.
oikee
Guest
Celebratory tour. Are you for real. Look if they want to go join a Kontiki tour, then go. Nobody will miss Manly anyhow. But to treat a world club challenge like some sort of a dud game, please god in heaven dont ever let Manly win another comp. It's a disgrace if your fans or players think this way. And league fans should have more pride.. Sideshow? a sideshow. No wonder our game cant grow. Wigan are one of the most respected clubs in Rugby league.
Renegade
Guest
"Making up fibs? Im not sure of your intentions when posting on the Roar but i see no point in making things up. " ??? Not sure what your trying to say there.... Anyways i'll agree with your last sentence that more needs to be done for what is a terrific concept however saying that we should scrap it, is plain backward thinking.
eagleJack
Guest
Making up fibs? Im not sure of your intentions when posting on the Roar but i see no point in making things up. This year Manly decided to treat the WCC as a celebratory tour of their 2011 success. The bonds and camaraderie formed on the tour meant that many off-contract players re-signed. The result was not important. Of course once on the field the players wanted to win. They are professional athletes, and their competitive juices push them to want to succeed. But the main goal of the trip was to enjoy themselves. Have fun. And come back with no injuries. Can you imagine the same mindset being acceptable going into an Origin? Or semi-final, Grand final or International? Even an NRL premiership game is treated far more seriously. The WCC is a sideshow. Im sure some clubs and coaches have considered resting their stars from competing but they have an obligation to send the best available squad over. As I said it is a good concept in theory. But more needs to be done for it to be treated as anything but a game they want to seem important but can't be bothered really putting any effort into making it so.
Confucius
Guest
Last year the NRL sent Manly to Auckland (Brooky was being upgraded?? cant see where??) 8 days after getting back from North of England. The advanatge for the Storm is they get a NQ trip out of the way early but the usual NRL msaking sure the premiers have a harder draw to even it up scenario besides this is the first year News Ltd Storms owners havent had a hand in the draw...
Stu
Guest
If players are injured from burnout or the like and lose match payments because they can't physically back from freexing England to boiling Townsville to who knows what the weather will be in Melboure do the players have a case against their club or the NRL for breaching the duty of care towards the players? I would have thought so. The players association seem to just care about increased salaries. Shouldn't they be the ones saying "hey, this draw means players will miss out on match payments because they can't physically back up, or, if they do they'll get injured."
Renegade
Guest
Again, i'll just say rugby league is bigger than the NRL. It is huge for the game in the UK....just take a look at the crowds and ratings associated to the WCC. All your points are concerned with the NRL....and don't make up fibs that the players agree with you, if they did agree they simply wouldn't play and send a reserve grade squad over. It is gaining in relevance and importance every year except for people like Phil Gould.....maybe you've been listening to him too much. Ask the two competing teams this if the game lacks importance....
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I have an idea. Why not make the first round of the season Derby day. Who ever finished higher up on the ladder gets the home game. Melb should have a home game first as reward for winning and becuase they have to play the WCC. Storm v warriors Broncos V Cowboys Eels v Dogs Roosters V Sths Panthers v Tigers Eagles V Knights Dragons V Sharks Raiders V Titans, ok this ones not a derby but
Boomshanka
Guest
RMPN I'm with you, the WCC is a great idea but needs to be played closer to the end of the season and more than ever, promoted more. Check out the 1987 Wigan v Manly match. Many locals reckon there was close to 50000 watching the game on a cool Wednesday night. No tries, but a hell of an intensive match. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_4HSnEkyiI Hard to believe this was 25 years ago, but if one listens to Hanleys and Lydons comments at the start of the Video, it meant a lot. The atmosphere towards the end of the game was electric including the crowd singing ."...the greatest team the world has ever seen". This game lifted the team to the extent they went on to dominate, winning the Challenge cup for eight consecutive years.
eagleJack
Guest
Name one positive from having the WCC in its current existence? In theory it is a great idea. In reality it is a waste of time. They have it purely as they feel a need to have it, rather than put any effort into it whatsoever. Problems with the WCC: 1. Huge travel for one game. Cam Smith noted a couple of years ago it takes until around Round 5 to get over the full effects of the travel. 2. High intensity game so early in the season, in conditions completely different to what the NRL teams have just trained in. The ESL teams are 3 games into their season proper and have played a number of trial games. The NRL sides have usually had one or two trial games. Significant injuries are a major concern. 3. It is played in the year after the team won meaning many premiership players are not involved. Hardly a contest between the 2 championship sides. Alternate it between the 2 countries. Or make it a bigger event with 2 or 3 sides from each comp involved. Play it a couple of weeks after the season. Do anything. But right now it is a waste of time. And the players agree.
FrancisC
Guest
Got it now, thanks Boom and I fully agree with your sentiments.
Boomshanka
Guest
Dayer It has everything to do with Melissa's article. If proposed changes to the anti siphoning laws had been enacted prior to the NRL media deal then FOX would have been able to secure their rights directly with the NRL, instead of the situation we currently find ourselves in which is that Channel Nine (who in my opinion - should never be allowed near sport - ever) currently holding all TV rights to the detriment of our sport. Channel Nine has too much influence in the game, largely as a result of the archaic anti siphoning legislation. Even when signing the deal a couple of months ago, David Gynell unapologetically stated "you play when we say". The draw could have been exactly that - a draw, instead of the lopsided pretence that it is. The Raiders and the Storm are shafted. Without the anti siphoning legislation, sport would enjoy a real competitive return on their entertainment value and our FTA dinosaur networks would be more accountable to their audience. At the moment the audience / consumers have to be just grateful for whatever is dished out.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Dayer, how do you not see the relevance? Clearly Boomshanka is feeling and expressing what most of us were thinking. The Nrl schedule along with all other sports are shafting the fta viewers and teams that play for that sport, therefore supporting Bellamy and storms view on this matter of poor match scheduling.