NRL 2020: Storm coach Craig Bellamy accuses Eels players of ‘staying down’ in crusher tackles

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy’s press conference lasted just two minutes but he has thrown a bitter accusation at the Eels.

Eels coach Brad Arthur.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy was pulled out of his press conference after just two minutes after seemingly accusing the Eels of staying down to milk penalties.

It comes after the Eels’ 14-0 win over the Storm kept Melbourne scoreless for the first time in six seasons.

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The Storm, who entered the game without the likes of Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Dale Finucane, Jesse Bromwich and Suliasi Vunivalu, had Brandon Smith leave with a serious injury.

But Bellamy’s side were also involved in some incidents that may be reviewed by the match review committee.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sin binned after a high shoulder hit on Marata Niukore, with Eels coach Brad Arthur admitting he may have a broken nose, while two other players - Cooper Johns and Albert Vete - were put on report for crusher tackles.

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It led to a testy moment in each press conference.

When asked about the tackles on his players, Arthur said he didn’t see them.

“It’s hard to see them close up in the box,” he said.

He was then asked if he thought Maika Sivo appeared to “go down reasonably easy”.

Arthur snapped back: “What do you mean go down reasonably easy? I’d have to have a look at it again but nobody’s deliberately staying down mate.”

A trainer attends Maika Sivo.

With two of his players on the suspension block, Bellamy took aim at the Eels.

“I suppose by the definition of whether they are (crusher tackles) or not, you do get people turn in tackles,” Bellamy said. “I made that comment during the week.

“I don’t think anyone goes out there to consciously do a crusher tackle on the opposition.

“With all due respect there was one of our blokes that didn’t get picked up, and our bloke got up and played the ball. At the end of the day that’s out of my jurisdiction what happens, but whatever will be will be.”

Bellamy was then asked: “Brad just defended his players and said he doesn’t coach them to stay down, do you think there was a hint of players staying down there?”

“I think I disagree with Brad on that,” the Storm coach replied.

Bellamy was immediately ushered out of the conference with Storm football manager Frank Ponissi saying the team had to catch a flight.

As he was walking out, he was quickly asked about Brandon Smith’s injury - “a broken jaw” - and the fact that Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sin binned but the Eels’ Niukore was not penalised for a similar incident that led to Smith’s injury.

“It’s the inconsistency I would call that,” Bellamy said as he walked out.

It was a bitter end to what was a bitter match and comes after the NRL instituted a series of changes with the lowest range crusher tackle carrying a two week ban.

Craig Bellamy answered his last question at the door.

The NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley said the penalty wasn’t harsh enough after 18 crusher tackle charges this season.

“We have seen a concerning increase in the crusher-type tackles in recent years and the Commission has approved stronger deterrents to reverse this trend,” Annesley said.

“Despite the charges and warnings previously imposed, we have not seen a decline in offences, so it has become clear that the penalties we had in place were not sufficient.

The Storm had Jesse Bromwich suspended for the tackle last week and called for “a bit more consistency with that so-called tackle”.