The Tackle: Craig Bellamy faces Cameron Smith-like decision on young gun Sua Faalogo
The last time Craig Bellamy had a decision this big was 2003 when a bloke called Cameron Smith had played just two NRL games but simply needed to be fit in.
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Craig Bellamy is facing potentially one of the biggest decisions of the Melbourne Storm’s history when deciding how to fit Samoan sensation Sua Faalogo into his team next season.
It brings back memories of the year before Bellamy arrived at the Storm, when Melbourne had a Kiwi Test dummy half named Richard Swain playing hooker when another young bloke named Cameron Smith was coming through.
At that point Smith had only started two games at halfback before Swain moved on in 2003 – which was Bellamy’s first season in charge.
The situation today relates to how Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nick Meaney are both currently ahead of one-game NRL rookie Faalogo in the Storm pecking order.
Make no mistake, this is potentially shaping up as just as tough a decision going forward.
After watching the flying fullback steal the spotlight despite Samoa going down 38-12 to Australia on Saturday night, the answer has to be Bellamy has no option but to just find a way to make room for Faalogo in his top squad next year.
Despite being heavily targeted by the Kangaroos, Faalogo not only didn’t put a foot wrong, but had some mesmerizing moments which were as good as anything you’d see from Papenhuyzen at his best, and you can throw Reece Walsh into that conversation.
Faalogo also came up with a try saving effort on Kotoni Staggs that showed he has the toughness and desire to go with his talent.
The reason we mention Walsh is because if Faalogo was on the open market tomorrow, rival clubs would be lining up to pay him in the vicinity of $500,000-plus-a-season on potential alone.
Just think back to how the Broncos signed Walsh last year for a bargain deal of about $450,000 to get him back from the Warriors when they already had Selwyn Cobbo and Herbie Farnworth wanting to take over at fullback.
Yet in the space of 12 months that $450,000 investment on Walsh has proven a masterstroke for a player who would now easily command $1m-plus on the open market.
We sent a message to Storm football boss Frank Ponissi to ask if Faalogo’s future was secured.
Ponissi confirmed the young gun would be at Melbourne until at least the end of 2025, with the Storm having an option in the club’s favour.
But while that’s a blow for rival clubs who would have been licking their lips at the possibility this kid could be up for grabs come November 1, the issue for Bellamy now will be making room for Faalogo in his NRL squad.
With the Storm fighting to find a way to reduce the gap between them and teams like the Panthers and Broncos, Faalogo is exactly the type of X factor that could make a huge difference to a team that was way off the pace during this year’s finals series.
Faalogo of course exploded on the scene in the Storm’s final round win over the Broncos where he scored two tries on debut.
That was the game where he combined brilliantly for one of those tries with Papenhuyzen (before Papenhuyzen was stretchered from the field with a broken leg in just his third game back from a serious knee injury).
But with Papenhuyzen’s injury not as bad as first feared, he is said to be aiming to be ready for the start of next season.
Meanwhile, Meaney has proven himself as an outstanding replacement, and adds great utility value.
That said, Faalogo looks to be one of those players that only comes along every so often.
It is going to be interesting to watch how Bellamy juggles this going forward.
MAL’S BIG CALL ON COBBO V EDWARDS
Mal Meninga also has a huge call to make if he wants to bring back Val Holmes for the next Pacific Championships Test against the Kiwis.
After Holmes missed the game against Samoa through suspension following the white bag controversy, there is no way Meninga could drop either centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow or Kotoni Staggs after their first up efforts.
The Hammer was simply breathtaking on his way to finishing with two tries that included an 80m solo effort where his blistering pace was on show for all.
Staggs was rewarded with a late try after a superb Test debut.
The other option would be playing Holmes on the wing in place of either Selwyn Cobbo or Dylan Edwards.
On what we saw from both players on Saturday night, Edwards deserves to keep his spot ahead of Cobbo despite Edwards’ limited experience playing wing.
Everyone knows what a freak of a player Cobbo is, but those momentary lapses the young Bronco is prone to just hold him back.
‘HOLD THEIR OWN AGAINST ANY ERA’
People say rugby league front-rowers aren’t as tough as they used to be.
Try telling that to Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who would hold their own against any of the great front-row starting combinations in the Kangaroos’ history.
Their opening spell where Haas charged for 90m and Fa’asuamaleaui 86m had the Samoans on the back foot from the get-go.
Then on comes Lindsay Collins and Patrick Carrigan.
You think about the best Aussie packs over the years and these blokes would have nothing to fear.
Throw in Liam Martin and Cam Murray as the starting backrowers and Isaah Yeo at lock, as well as Reuben Cotter off the bench.
That’s an awesome pack for any era.
No wonder the Samoans were up against it.
It only makes the Samoans’ effort more courageous when you take into consideration they had nine players on debut.
BULLDOGS’ LINK TO VETERAN PROP A HUGE CONCERN
One of the big concerns coming out of the Super League grand final from an NRL perspective has to relate to recent reports linking veteran prop Siua Taukeiaho to the Bulldogs next season.
Taukeiaho, 31, confirmed two months back that he had been granted a release from Catalans and was planning an NRL return in 2024.
While it was mentioned several clubs had expressed interest, it was said to be the Bulldogs leading the chase.
And the reports were indicating the former rampaging former Rooster was set to sign a lucrative $1 million two-year deal to head to Belmore.
As yet there is still no confirmation on that potential contract.
After watching what we saw from Taukeiaho in the slog-fest at Old Trafford in Catalan’s 10-2 loss to Wigan, if the reports of $500,000-a-season over two years is anywhere close to the mark, questions should be raised.
There was a time when Taukeiaho could hold his own against the best front-rowers in the game.
But after a season plagued by injury, Taukeiaho is a long way from that player these days.
That’s no knock on him either because time catches up with all players, but especially the big boppers in the middle who have to wear the bruises from every carry they take.
If Taukeiaho was coming back on a one-year deal on a bargain price to play as part of a middle rotation, where he didn’t have to be the main man, you could make an argument that his experience could be good value.
But even he conceded when he left the Roosters at the end of 2022 the game here had gone past him.
Rating Taukeiaho alongside the powerhouse efforts of Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in the Kangaroos’ runaway 38-12 over Samoa really puts in perspective why it could be a dangerous move bringing him back.
KNIGHTS’ RECRUIT LOOKS THE REAL DEAL
On the flip side of concern over Taukeiaho’s return, the Newcastle Knights have picked up an outstanding prospect in towering backrower, Kai Pearce-Paul.
Standing at 196cm, the 22-year-old is an athletic specimen who certainly looks the real deal, and will arrive with a Super League premiership ring to prove it.
He even spoke after the game about how he was initially enticed to join the Knights through his friendship with fellow Englishman Dominic Young.
And Pearce-Paul offered a tongue-in-cheek comment when asked about Young’s decision since to sign with the Roosters for next season.
“I called him a snake for leaving me,” Pearce-Paul said, while wearing a giant smile.
“But he is a good friend. Dom’s had an amazing season and he is a good friend of mine.”
PEARCE’S CAREER FINISHES ON A SAD NOTE
Mitchell Pearce will always be remembered as a player who gave his all.
But the veteran halfback didn’t get the send-off he’d hoped for in his final match.
Pearce came up with one cracking try-saving tackle on Wigan backrower Liam Farrell, but otherwise didn’t have a great impact.
Catalan’s hopes weren’t helped by the fact they had to deal with two sin bins during the match.
Former Rooster Adam Keighran paid the price for a first half lifting tackle, while winger Tom Davies was marched in the second half for a professional foul when holding back an attacking player.
FORMER DRAGON FINDS HIS HOME
Former Dragon Jai Field certainly hasn’t lost any of his pace.
And the now 26-year-old certainly looks to have found his home in the Super League, with some dazzling moments in the win.
Former Parramatta Eel and this year’s Super League Man of Steel Bevan French also had some good touches particularly in the second half after being kept relatively quiet in the opening 40 minutes.
Classy centre Jack Wardle was named Harry Sunderland Trophy winner and was instrumental setting up the only try with some dazzling footwork.
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Originally published as The Tackle: Craig Bellamy faces Cameron Smith-like decision on young gun Sua Faalogo
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