NRL 2022: Storm coach Craig Bellamy upset with critics picking on Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has called out the critical focus on hard man Nelson Asofa-Solomona as unfair.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona was placed on report. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy believes front-rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona is paying the price for an unwarranted reputation as a cheap shot merchant after the enforcer was placed on report during the Storm’s 22-14 loss to Parramatta on Thursday night.

Bellamy said Asofa-Solomona had become a “punching bag” for critics in the lead-up to the clash that put him in the spotlight for referees.

Big NAS, whose every touch was booed by the large CommBank Stadium crowd, was penalised and booked for a late shot on Mitchell Moses as the Eels halfback launched into a clearing kick.

It was fairly innocuous contact and Bellamy believes it was only acted on because of heavy publicity surrounding Asofa-Solomona‘s alleged elbow on Roosters rookie Joseph Suaalii last round.

Asofa-Solomona‘s booking by referee Ashley Klein didn’t result in a charge from the NRL judiciary, further evidence of Bellamy’s concern his star was being treated unfairly.

“I think it was probably a touch late but it certainly wasn’t high,” the Storm coach said of Asofa-Solomona’s hit on Moses.

“His arms were around his waist so I’m not sure if the on report is because of his reputation.

“There was nothing around his head (and) I don’t think there was to much more to it.”

There is a reason why Nelson Asofa-Solomona is the worst cheap shot merchant in rugby league, via @BuzzRothfield. https://t.co/M18HJjTLgL

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) August 28, 2022

Asked his thoughts on the NRL’s threat to beef-up penalties from fines to suspensions for repeat offenders, Bellamy shot back: “It’s all come because of this week. Why react now because of one story that turned into a story for three or four days on one bloke?

“There are a lot of other instances that are as bad as Nelson’s but we decided to pick on Nelson this week. He was the punching bag.

“If they want to change rules, change rules. I can’t control that.”

This is just too funny.
Yet the NRL have no qualms over Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s tackling style. pic.twitter.com/MafSXFOfTA

— The Oracle (@BigOtrivia) September 1, 2022

Melbourne finds itself in the unfamiliar position of attempting to win the premiership from outside the top four after sliding to fifth on the back of the Parramatta loss.

No team from outside the four has won the premiership under the NRL’s top-eight system.

Bellamy underlined why so many teams had failed the challenge of winning from the bottom of the eight.

“It‘s hard to do. To win the comp you’ve got to win four games in a row and the last three of those you’re travelling,” he said.

“It‘s difficult, no doubt, but it will get done at some stage.

“There are some quality teams this year and there’s not a lot of difference in the teams.

“Penrith were probably the real standout early in the season (and) halfway through the season, but there‘s a lot of the things change towards the end the season and after Origin.

“I still think there’ll be a few twists and turns before it all finishes.”

The Storm will almost certainly meet Canberra in the elimination final at AAMI Park, with the Raiders winning on their last four visits to Melbourne.