The Storm will “have a couple of beers” to celebrate moving to the top of the NRL ladder but “won’t be getting too carried away” as they prepare for a tough run home to the finals.
Melbourne defeated Brisbane 22-2 to overtake the Raiders on the ladder and take a big step towards their seventh minor premiership.
But coach Craig Bellamy knows better than to give the ladder too much energy, especially when his side face the Panthers, Bulldogs, Roosters and Broncos again in the final four rounds.
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When asked in his post-game press conference if the team will take a moment to celebrate moving to first, Bellamy said: “Nah not really, there’s another game on next week so we’ll have a couple of beers but we’ve got a seven-day turnaround.
“At the end of the day it’s a win and we celebrate any sort of win. Against the Broncos, we always know they’re a hard team to beat, but we won’t be getting too carried away as they had a tough night with injuries,” he added.
There were a lot of things to like about the Storm’s performance, but Bellamy was most pleased with their defensive resolve — it was the first time they’ve kept an opposition try-less since Round 10.
“Our defence was probably as good as it’s been all year… or one of our best defensive efforts,” he said.
“There’s still a few things attack wise that we can improve in a bit but certainly it was a really defensive effort and we’re real happy with that.
“We’ve just got to be consistent with it and do it again next week and again the week after.”
The Storm had plenty more to play for besides the opportunity to move to first with their skipper Harry Grant celebrating his 100th NRL game.
Grant had an impact on the game early and was a genuine threat every time he touched the ball, finishing with a try assist, two linebreak assists, two linebreaks and 75 running metres.
The 27-year-old has had some rocks and diamonds games this year, but Bellamy believes his star No.9 has stepped into some of his best footy over the last fortnight.
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“He was very good,” Bellamy said.
“You always get a full effort from Harry, sometimes he might put his effort into what I see as the wrong areas but I thought the last couple of weeks have been the better games that he’s had for us.
“He always comes up with one real big play where he sprints somewhere or saves a try for us. He definitely leads by example and whatever he expects from the rest of the players he’s willing to do that as well.
“I just think sometimes he probably tries too hard, that’s a pretty good trait to have. You’d rather see someone try too hard than not hard enough. I’ll take that any day of the week.
“We have chats after games about what we might be able to do better, what he might be able to do better and what I might be able to do better as well. Every now and then he’s got a bit of advice for me as well so I take that on board.”
When asked what advice he gives Bellamy, Grant laughed and said “keep picking me.”
The Queensland Origin and Kangaroos hooker doesn’t have anything to worry about on that front.
Even Fox League expert Greg Alexander declared him the “most influential No.9 in the game” during Thursday night’s call of he game.
