Craig Bellamy proud as Storm secure thrilling win over Rabbitohs

MELBOURNE have qualified for their 10th preliminary final in the past 13 years and earned a crucial week off after a win that had coach Craig Bellamy rapt.

STORM coach Craig Bellamy gushed with pride after Melbourne secured its hard-fought win over South Sydney.

The Storm, who qualified for their 10th preliminary final in the past 13 years, are also the first reigning premier to register a win in the first week of finals since 2004.

The victory and week off is crucial for the Storm with Nelson Asofa-Solomona (ankle) in contention to return, while Will Chambers (suspended) will also be considered after three weeks out.

“We were probably lucky to win and they were unlucky to lose but it could have gone either way without a doubt,” Bellamy said.

MATCH WINNER: Magic Munster on the money for Storm

PLAYER RATINGS: Who starred, who struggled?

“My main feeling is how proud I am of the team tonight.

“Souths played really well, their kicking game was outstanding and we really struggled coming off our line basically the whole game.

“For us just to keep bashing away and hanging in there and defend as well as we did, we obviously learned a fair bit from four weeks ago and we tried to put that into practice.”

Cameron Smith celebrates with Storm teammates during his side’s win over the Rabbitohs. Picture: Getty Images

Souths peppered the Storm in attack with tricky bombs towards Josh Addo-Carr, Billy Slater and Suliasi Vunivalu.

Addo-Carr reeled in the first couple before a costly error, while Slater defused a couple bombs late to thwart any Souths momentum.

Bellamy tread carefully when questioning a couple of contentious calls.

“We got some bad calls tonight, I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that or not, I might be wrong but until I check that out for sure I’m thinking watching it live we got some bad calls,” Bellamy said.

“For us to overcome the pressure Souths put on us and to overcome that I just thought it was a really good performance.”

Suliasi Vunivalu dives to score a try for the Storm. Picture: Getty Images

Addo-Carr was penalised for a forward pass late in the game that even on video replay looked a tough call — at best.

Souths hit the lead with six minutes to go but the Storm rallied again, Cheyse Blair scoring the equaliser before Cameron Munster sealed the game with a field goal.

Storm captain Cameron Smith praised Munster’s efforts.

“He doesn’t tend to practice those things a lot. Not at all,” Smith said.

“He practices a lot on his general play stuff. He has a few cracks in the warm up on game day in the end.

“Cameron’s a guy that just has natural talent and has the ability to make those things. He has a feel for the game.”