Saturday night’s Melbourne versus Manly contest was unprecedented for a number of reasons.
It saw the send-off used for the first time since 2015 when Curtis Scott repeatedly punched Dylan Walker in what could only be described as a shocking brain explosion. It did not end there, however, with four players sent for ten-minute layoffs – or that was at least what we have come to expect. Stunning revelations later came that two Manly Sea Eagles players had entered the field almost two minutes before their mandatory breaks had elapsed.
The Fox Sports cameras peered into the Melbourne Storm coaching box. Craig Bellamy was visibly lost for words. The premiership-winning coach is renowned for his trademark blow-ups in the coach’s box, yet viewers were left disappointed with no sudden outburst from him. Instead he appeared utterly dumbfounded by the events that had transpired.
After being left underwhelmed by his reaction during the game, fans waited in anticipation for the Melbourne Storm press conference. Only a fortnight ago Dean Pay had blasted the referees for their role in the Bulldogs’ 22-20 loss to Brisbane, while Trent Robinson did similar on Friday night after the Roosters went down 28-22 in controversial circumstances. This time all that was needed was the knowledge of how to use a stopwatch. Yet, somehow, something had gone horribly wrong.
Bellamy fronted the media and he was incredibly upset. He was quick to place the blame directly on one party: his players. In a simple four-minute press conference Bellamy demonstrated his class and proved why he is the most professional coach not only in the NRL but in Australian sport.
“At the end of the day, I can’t remember the last time we played so poorly,” Bellamy said. “The second half was crap.”
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Bellamy’s assessment of the game was spot on. Locked up at two-all at half-time despite a shaky first half, the Storm had still given themselves a great chance of victory. Just a week ago Melbourne found themselves in a similar situation, down 14-8 at the break to a determined Titans outfit. However, a much-improved second half saw the Storm take advantage of an injury-plagued Gold Coast side to storm home 28-14.
Last night, however, after completing at 78 per cent in the first half, Bellamy’s men came out and completed just 38 per cent of their sets in the second 40 as they collapsed to a 24-4 defeat. That was why they lost. It was not due to the controversial timekeeping mistake that Bellamy would have had every right to blow up about.
Instead Bellamy calmly dismissed its importance and instead admitted: “I can’t remember the last time we played so poorly.”
Bellamy’s objective reaction to his team’s defeat was a pleasant surprise. It was certainly not what I was expecting given what we so often see from the veteran coach within the heat of battle. Yet, despite this, I was not left disappointed.
Bellamy’s attitude is certainly one that Bulldogs coach Dean Pay could learn from. Following their two-point loss to the Broncos, Pay was quick to shift the blame onto the performance of the officials – in fact not once did the Canterbury coach address the role his own team played in their demise.
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I understand that coaches dedicate their heart and soul into looking after their players and the 80th-minute defeat to the Broncos would have been devastating for the 17 men left dejected in Pay’s dressing room.
However, when you are ahead by six points with six minutes remaining, the expectation is that you close out the victory. In that instance, the Bulldogs lacked the discipline necessary to claim what would have been a well-deserved win. Instead a split-second decision by Moses Mbye cost them the two points, and the Canterbury fullback would have learnt from that experience.
All I hope is that other coaches also learn from what Bellamy did last night. He is truly the greatest coach of the modern era and the culture he has built at the Storm is a testament to that. It is a culture where individuals take direct responsibility for their actions and it is why the Melbourne Storm have enjoyed a dynasty of success.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
100% right - it is unbelievable it gets 4 weeks when, as you said, a tackle gone wrong can sideline a player for nearly just as long.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep. There isn't a rule against mouthing off players. But if you watch the replay Walker initiates contact with Scott by shoving him and essentially provokes the brawl. He maybe should have stayed on but ultimately he did contribute to it boiling over by pushing Scott in the first place.
Tom
Guest
I would also say his punishment seems tremendously inconsistent with, for example, Sam Burgess getting 2 weeks for his hit on Aidan Sezer. One was a tackle gone wrong, one was a deliberate action with no other purpose than to injure the other player. Yet somehow, these draw the same penalty. Madness.
Tom
Guest
Manly scored when they had 11 on 12, and as I said, no one has actually been able to explain what Walker was sinbinned for. Last time I checked there was nothing against the rules about mouthing off at other players.
Lance
Guest
I think Bellamy is a terrific coach, and has been for a very long time. He's a bit like Clarko for Hawthorn. Just out of curiosity, does anyone rate Mary at St George Illawarra?
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
Really Paul, I believe Proctor's a chance to play this weekend so Smith hasn't done a very good job of maiming the bloke. Come on how many of those tackles do you see every weekend. Third man into the tackle twists the player on the ground almost 180 degrees. I know he's tormented NSW for 15 years but give the guy the benefit of the doubt on this occasion
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yes, but Pay did not once say anything about his team's own inability to close out the game in the presser. I am not saying he is denial about his own team's downfall but rather he is taking the easier option of blaming the officials, thereby diverting attention away from his side's own wrongdoings and not creating a culture where the responsibility falls on the playing group. Sure, he may do this privately at training, but I can only comment on what I see.
Nat
Roar Guru
Maybe his swear jar was already full?
David
Guest
Paul I think it is thuggery any time you take an action designed to injure another .If Proctor is out for 2 then Cam Smith starts his suspension then.There does not have to be punches thrown or attacks on the head. Get rid of the likes of Gus who still bang on about all being OK. The bloke clearly knows his stuff but has an archaic view on violence and what is acceptable in today's standards.
Forty Twenty
Guest
I agree Paul Plenty of coaches have gone ballistic about the refs over the years. The rules stipulate clearly that you can't do that and you will get fined if you do. Fair enough I accept and understand that but to then take a huge amount of notice of what the coaches say, when they are all gagged, is a waste of time. Admiring them for playing by the rules is fine but coaches will still be thinking that refs sometimes play a major role in who wins games at times despite what they say. They are banned from speaking the truth as they see it. The idea that you can conclude that a coach thinks that his team didn't make any mistakes and therefore is in denial about it because he didn't spell it out and therefore has no right to comment on the refs is so simplistic. All the errors are for everyone to see and are recorded as errors when the player makes them but refs errors are spoken about in dark corners and may be admitted a couple of days later. A missed forward pass by the ref for a try goes down as a try assist for the passer and a missed tackle or two for the defenders yet the real story is a mistake by the ref and no missed tackles. Who wouldn't be frustrated by that ? A coach can come out and wisely say the opposite to what he really thinks maybe they need to deflect the question back to the journalists saying 'I'm gagged but what do you think" . I've noticed Bennett has come out and bagged the non citing of the human missile and I applaud it. He probably isn't allowed to say it but that's what happens when the coaches break ranks and say what's on their mind.
Paul
Roar Guru
But Cam "it wasn't me" Smith gets one week for trying to maim Proctor, yet Proctor's out for at least 2 weeks? I know it's not thuggery but the end result's the same as the Scott/Walker incident. This whole issue's been a problem for at least the past 40 years and until the NRL makes the time out of the game the same for both the illegal play and the injured player, there'll be complaints.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Agree David - Scott's punishment is far too lenient, should have been six weeks at the minimum. If he punches and injures Walker off the footy field the punishment is much harsher.
David
Guest
Good to see some Coaches remain focused. Sad to see some so called commentators remain so far out of touch they should have other employment. Apparently the hit on Sims was nothing ,a blight on the game having the whistle blown for such a petty action not even worthy of a penalty Sims has a broken jaw from something that was nothing ? He will miss maybe 6 weeks ? What will Napa get ? Dylan Walker is out for 6 ,Curtis Scott will get maybe 3 how is that just ? All codes where illegal actions result in suspension the suspension should only commence when the person injured is back on the park . So Scott would be looking at 9 weeks not 3 . Coaches would soon have instructions in place that made the game cleaner. Easy way to get rid of head highs , contact with the head is a penalty there will be squeals and then players and coaches will learn. The game is hard and tough enough without having to resort to thuggery.
Jarryd
Guest
Bellamy has been in a few similar press conferences this year and handled them all well. The journalist are trying to provoke emotional reactions and he is wise enough not to fall for the bait.
AJ Mithen
Expert
No sarcasm here! Or is there...
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
This is why I hate the internet AJ! I can never tell what is sarcasm and what isn't - and I am sarcastic pretty much 24/7. I'm going to be hopeful and interpret it as a compliment but feel free to correct me!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
You guys are thinking very logically today - definitely a fair argument. Pay is a rookie coach and the point you make about him wanting the backing of his players is actually a very interesting one Joe, one I didn't initially consider. I guess my problem was that he did not even once acknowledge that the result was influenced by anything else but the officials. It is when coaches blast the referees for the entire duration of the presser that I have an issue as it sends a pretty poor message to the players in regards to learning from their ill-discipline.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Look that's a fair call. But the Storm were up 4-2 when the sin-binning occurred so Bellamy had every right to argue that it was an extra 2 minutes his team could have had with a one-man overlap but obviously they hadn't looked like scoring much of the game anyway. The Dogs were on the rough end of the penalty count in the second half, but in the end they were still able to overcome that for 35-odd minutes before one ill-disciplined move by Mbye really cost them. Pay really should have put the responsibility on not just Mbye, but the Dogs side as a whole and made it lesson for them. I do understand his frustrations though given they had tried so hard despite not getting a penalty in the second half so I definitely do see where the two instances differ. Will take it on board!
Tom
Guest
Exactly - Melbourne got smashed and Koroisau being on the field an extra 1:40 had zero impact upon that. The Dogs couldn't buy a penalty in the second half, which robbed them of any chance. Also, nobody seems to mention that there was no reason for Walker to get sin binned in the first instance (headbutting someone's fist isn't a sin bin offence), and hence Manly were without a player when they shouldn't have been regardless.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Nice one X