Despite already locking up the NRL minor premiership, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has resisted resting a swag of stars for the Storm’s final round clash with North Queensland after learning a costly lesson in 2011.
Five-eighth Cameron Munster won’t play due to a shoulder injury but Bellamy is reluctant to completely unsettle the line-up that thumped Manly by 30 points last round.
Instead just interchange forward Brandon Smith and winger Josh Addo-Carr will join Munster on the sidelines, with the pair also managing minor injuries.
Jahrome Hughes will shift to No.6 to cover Munster with Brodie Croft back in the side at halfback.
In 2011, heading into their final round match against the Sydney Roosters, who were outside the eight, Bellamy opted to rest five players, including Dally M player of the year Billy Slater and skipper Cameron Smith.
The Storm were thrashed 40-8 and despite edging past Newcastle 18-8 in week one of the finals, Bellamy believes they lost their way. They were subsequently bundled out in the preliminary final by the New Zealand Warriors.
“We learnt a lesson about resting a lot of players in the last game of the season when we just lost momentum,” Bellamy said.
“I think we just won our first final … and then we had a week off but the momentum wasn’t quite there that we had before.
“I think it had something to do with it so that’s one mistake I think I’ve made so hopefully I’ve learnt from it.”
The Storm also want to put on a strong showing against the Cowboys before being presented with the minor premiership trophy at AAMI Park in front of their home fans.
Bellamy said they wanted to finish the regular season on a strong note.
“It looked like we’d plateaued a bit or had a couple of flat spots but our performance at the weekend was really strong so that’s pleasing,” Bellamy said.
“We want to play well every week – we don’t go there just to put a hand-brake on just because there’s a big game the week after.
“We’d like to think the players have a lot of pride in what they do and every time they pull on a Storm jumper it’s important to them.”
