Melbourne might have won at Brisbane just last week, but they know it was just the undercard – with the main event due for Friday night.
Defending their barely believable 14-game winning streak over the Broncos, coach Craig Bellamy was in no doubt about where the biggest threat to his side would come from: superstar number 1 Reece Walsh.
Asked how intended to deal with the lightening fast fullback, Bellamy brought up one of his long-standing star, Billy Slater, and joked about what other coaches said regarding him.
“I think that question was asked to opposition coaches back when Billy was playing and the answer was, ‘with a double-barrel shotgun’, laughed the Storm coach.
“If anyone has got one of them we might be able to take it out on the field.
“I don’t know whether I have seen a quicker player than Reece. Billy was unbelievable at changing direction and still being quick, but that straight line pace…I haven’t seen many quicker than this bloke.
“We have a little plan we are hoping to put into action but he is a very dangerous player and a huge benefit for the Broncos.”
Bellamy has a speed merchant of his own in Ryan Papenhuyzen, but will continue to hold him back from the bench as he returns to full fitness after a long injury layoff, with the coach backing incumbent Nick Meaney to continue and the new man to provide spark from the interchange.
“Paps has looked sharp but the more footy he plays the sharper he will get,” said Bellamy.
“I think he has added confidence to the rest of the team, especially our senior players. Everyone thinks of his pace, which is a great quality, but he knows the game really well and has played in a few positions in the last six weeks in the Queensland Cup and NRL.
“We just think that he will give the team plenty of energy and knowhow when he comes on.
“There are a couple of positions he might end up in. We are relying on how the game goes with how we use him. We haven’t got a 100% plan.”
His counterpart, Broncos boss Kevin Walters, wasn’t moved on his side’s poor record against the Storm, telling media that it would have no effect.
“I don’t believe in hoodoos,” said the coach.
“This group of players haven’t even spoken about it. The Broncos beat the Storm in 2006 (to win the Premiership). Do you think that’s relevant to what is happening this year? I don’t think it is.
“The Storm have been a great team for a long time. We are respectful of that, but all my energy and focus has been on us and making sure we get it right tomorrow night as best we can.
“Now it won’t be a complete performance but it will be one of our best performances of the year and it will need to be.”
Walters was more focussed on his own team selections, with long-serving winger Corey Oates missing out on selection in favour of Jesse Arthars due to a lack of match fitness following a lengthy injury layoff.
“It was a difficult one,” admitted Kevvie.
“With Oatesy, I just felt he hadn’t played enough footy for us consistently for a match that is going to be quite fast.
“Oatesy has great experience at Origin and finals level, but the only way to gain experience is to play in those games.
“Jesse has been really good for us this year, whatever position he has played. He has been called in late at different times and done a terrific job for us whenever he has played, so he has got the jump on Oatesy.”
Martin Taupau and Corey Jensen failed to make the cut, with Keenan Palasia, Kobe Hetherington and Brendan Piakura – who avoided a ban despite being charged three times last week – all given the nod.
“Keenan has been starting and he has had a couple of games off the bench for us so he will know what to do,” said Walters.
“Kobe has been a regular coming on. He is a different style of player to our other middles but certainly brings plenty to the group.
“Brendan Piakura, we have used him with great effect on the edge. It is a different bench but one that has been very effective.
“We are mindful that we are a fit side and very athletic so we need to maintain that. It is a game of footy that will be won in the minds and we are very strong there.”
souvalis
Roar Rookie
The refs know the Storm will test their patience in the ruck. The Storm know this is their only genuine chance of winning the game. If it’s even in the middle with no Olam, Broncos look to have the edge in the outside backs.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah, I’m in the office today and I would be fooling no one to suggest i needed to duck out to site for some reason. The GPS on the work phone would be right in the middle of Caxton st. :stoked: By no means am i comparing a Bellamy plan to Freddy except for having a back on the bench for the sake of having him in the team. All Storm forwards are sub 50m players so someone is going to have to play a bit longer or have Paps in the middle. Hetherington is a genuine old school lock but Piakura is 6.4” over the 100kg. Capes has been used in the middle of late for Piakura which is an interesting move. Anyway, can’t wait. This is best team we’ve had a for a long time and thankfully all fit.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He’s played that utility role for the Storm before and then Hynes after him, both successfully When Fittler says he doesn’t have a 100% plan I worry When Bellamy says he doesn’t have a 100% plan I think that’s because he’s probably got 3 or 4 plans I don’t think too props on the bench is short. I reckon ideal bench make up is two middles, one edge, one utility. If one gets injured early it’s interesting Broncs only have two middles on the line as well, don’t they? Smoothy and Piakura… edge and utility Good luck tonight mate. I’m looking forward to this game. You guys must be jumping out of your skin !!
Nat
Roar Guru
It is a bit of a Freddy-esk selection, bar injury I’m not sure how Paps gets used. Fair enough if Melbourne dominate the middle he can follow Munny and Hughes around but if it’s tight in the middle do you stand him in front of Haas and Capt Pat? It’s a risk only having 2 props on the bench as an injury or HIA in any other position really disturbs your attack and defensive structures.
Nat
Roar Guru
Playing the Storm is always tough but I don’t think hoodoos come into play too much here because both sides are vastly different to the dominant side of the Smith era. In the last 5 years Brisbane have been also-rans But that’s not the case in 2023. Further, if Finals football experience is the contributing factor into how they play tonight, the Storm have only won one finals game since 2020.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Why would they start that now ? They have let him run roughshod all season , and are usually more lenient in the finals ! :silly:
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
TB, agree. I think Broncs can win the middle if they are at their best. Storm have generally handled good fullbacks well. They always seemed to have a plan for Turbo, Teddy and Latrelle by moving them around, making them run across the field at the back constantly and bringing the ball back from the corners. When they are done with that they don't seem to have the zip to do any damage on attack. I'm hoping that continues! :laughing: :laughing:
Phil
Roar Rookie
The plan for Walsh?? Bellyache said in an interview that he had a plan but executing it was something else. Walsh showed in SOO that he's quite at home in big games which is why I'm expecting him to star in this one. As for the winner, I have no idea.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I don’t disagree that a side with deep experience has more resources to draw upon. But I don’t see that as a problem for this Broncs side, it plays like a mature side and it’s not just Capewell and Reyno with big game experience if we count SOO and internationals. Carrigan may be QLD capt very soon.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Assuming games go the way of favourites (always dangerous at this time of year) the Panthers will have to play the loser of this game in the prelim to meet the winner in the grand final Good call on Reynolds and Capewell. Capewell’s form has been really good in the back end of the season. Their experience - particularly if things aren’t going to plan - will be invaluable
The Barry
Roar Guru
The MRC charge sheet for Piakura was interesting. He got three first offence charges (including two high contact - first offence) so therefore no loading and no suspension Really looking forward to this game. I’m tipping Broncos. They’ve been so good all year, but the Storm has much semi final experience in their side and not as much for the Broncos… on the field or in the box. Wouldn’t blow my hair back to see them win September fundamentals remain the same. For all the threat in the Broncos backline, they need to get on top through the middle. Haas, Carrigan and Flegler have been brilliant all season, but there’s a few tough nuts in the Storm middle. If they get on top, the Storm spine can choke the Broncs out of it I wonder what the plan is for Walsh. Despite being small, he’s stood up to the tough stuff pretty well so far. Maybe it’s kicking early to force him to carry the ball back on his own. Try and wear him out doing the grunt work so he doesn’t have juice for the pretty stuff What’s the bet Bellamy’s not 100% plan to use Papenhuyzen is miles better than Fittler’s to use Hynes or Gutherson…?
Cam
Roar Rookie
Should be a cracker! Broncos arguably the best side in the comp through 26 rounds (ignoring the reserve grade side that played last week), but I can’t understate the advantage of “been there, done that”. The Broncos haven’t played finals in four years and a fair percentage of their squad are usually on their Mad Monday this time of the season. The Storm on the other hand have played in 11 grand finals in their 25 year history and a fair wedge of the current crop have premiership rings. Capewell and Reynolds have big game experience and will be Brisbane’s most important players come Friday night. Tipping this to be a do-or-die match, with the winner to play the Panthers in the GF.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah every final needs a send off - bring it on :silly:
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
You make it sound so simple. NSW should hire you as an assistant coach.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Just couple of bombs aimed at Walsh with NAS following through with his "double barrels" will be enough to eliminate that danger ! Good luck to the blockers.