NRL agenda: Melbourne Storm risk sending Craig Bellamy out of the game in shame
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy had some choice words for his team after their poor showing on the weekend. Check out all the biggest rugby league talking points in NRL Agenda!
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is under the blow torch, Brisbane star Reece Walsh has a mid-game shot at cross-town rivals the Dolphins and Parramatta’s big men must save the Eels’ season.
Check out all the biggest rugby league talking points in this week’s NRL Agenda.
STORM RISKING BELLAMY LEGACY
Melbourne find themselves staring down the barrel of a “low point” in the club’s illustrious history if Craig Bellamy can’t find a way to get his troops up against bottom-placed Wests Tigers.
“If they lose against the Tigers that would be the low point in Melbourne’s history... can you imagine losing to this current Wests Tigers side. You can’t sugar coat it,” Paul Crawley said on The Daily Telegraph’s NRL podcast.
With each loss, and injury, a finals berth in a tight competition can quickly turn into a futile endeavour.
In 21 seasons, Bellamy has only ever missed one finals series - in 2010 when the club could not play for points due to salary cap breaches.
Bellamy said his team has played without care factor. If they can’t find it within themselves to play for each other, they need to find it for their coach’s legacy, which will take a hit if his career ends on a low of a bottom eight finish.
SUNCORP STADIUM IS WALSH’S HOUSE
Reece Walsh has fired the first shot at the Dolphins ahead of the Battle of Brisbane blockbuster. It was so subtle most missed it, but the message it sent was loud and clear.
Celebrating a try, Walsh pointed to the hallowed turf of Suncorp Stadium, before defiantly folding his arms across his chest.
Ezra Mam, who later mimicked the celebration, explained after the Dragons win it was a message to the new franchise that Suncorp Stadium was the home of the Broncos — not the Dolphins.
The Dolphins will play seven games at Suncorp Stadium this season, and clearly, Broncos players aren’t too happy about it.
From Wayne Bennett’s revenge mission and players defecting Red Hill to Redcliffe, Walsh’s pointed message has only added more spice to what promises to be an emotionally-charged affair on Friday night.
THE SELECTION CALL: BRANDON WAKEHAM
Playmaker Brandon Wakeham should be in Wests Tigers’ starting side against Melbourne on Friday night. Wakeham warmed the bench for 60 minutes before finally injected in Sunday’s loss to Canterbury and he had an immediate impact - a line break, a line break assists and a try assist.
Instantly, Luke Brooks found the confidence to run with Wakeham on the field.
Thing is, five-eighth Adam Doueihi looked impressive in the trials with Wakeham by his side too.
The decision for Sheens now? Who should play alongside Wakeham, Brooks or Doueihi.
If Sheens insists on sticking with Brooks at halfback, moving Doueihi to fullback is worth a crack.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR: PARRA’S BIG MEN
Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo must turn up to Commbank Stadium on Thursday night with a mindset of bash Penrith or they will be bashed.
Just like Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris hammered them in opening exchanges of last year’s grand final.
Parra’s big boys have already admitted to being overpowered by Manly’s engine room last week.
This week, more than two competition points rest on the shoulders of Parramatta’s forward pack. If the Eels slump to four-straight losses, the critics will be out in force.
The move to re-sign Brad Arthur will come under fire, so to the stalling of Mitch Moses in extending his contract. A win, on the back of a big performance with the men up front, will silence the detractors.
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MARKET MOVER: PAYNE HAAS
Show Payne Haas the money. If Brisbane won’t, then a rival most certainly will.
The Broncos forward stocks continue to rise vindicating his shock request for a release from Red Hill when the club denied an upgrade to $1 million for season 2023.
Haas was destructive against St George Illawarra with a 198-metre dominant showing. When he came with eight minutes on the clock, he opened up the Dragons defence not just with his powerful running but ability to create space and bring his teammates onto the ball.
Haas is as valuable to the Broncos as any $1 million player to their side... as Nathan Cleary is to Penrith, as James Tedesco is to the Roosters.
UNDER PRESSURE: TIM SHEENS
Melbourne Storm stand between Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens and an avalanche of naysayers.
Only a win against an albeit struggling Storm side will arrest the mountain of criticism poised to rain on the Concord club.
The club might not have the steel to tell Sheens to step aside for Benji Marshall, who isn’t supposed to take over until 2025, but make no mistake, a loss to Melbourne and that drum will start beating.
So will drums baying for change in the front office and the Tigers can ill-afford that kind of disruption and distraction.
SUPERCOACH MUST HAVE: JACOB PRESTON
Jacob Preston will cost SuperCoaches an extra $70,000 to get him in ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Warriors.
But starting at bottom dollar, he is a bargain buy for an edge forward starting each week.
He punched out 80 minutes against the Tigers and finished with 69 points, mostly in base stats.
Preston also has decent job security even with Tevita Pangai Jnr, who has been out with a calf injury but due back this week. Luke Thompson’s long-term foot injury is likely to see Pangai Jnr used as a prop, helping Preston cement an edge role.
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