Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy fires back at critics who questioned his mass resting of NRL stars for clash against Cowboys in Townsville

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has defended his decision to rest 11 players for Thursday’s clash with the Cowboys in Townsville, declaring the draw forced his hand.

Amid some criticism that Bellamy was ‘ripping off’ fans by leaving so many stars out, the long term mentor stated: ‘it’s not my job to control who comes to the game and who doesn’t’.

Factoring in the longest road trip of the season and coming off a five-day turnaround following last weekend’s rout of the Dolphins in Melbourne which sealed the minor premiership, the Storm will field a patched up team in the tropics.

The likes of Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica are all on ice.

Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen – who have both missed a chunk of games this season due to injury – were named to play.

Bellamy stated he had no interest in the critics because his job was to do the best thing for his team as they prepare for a tilt at another premiership. 

‘Four of our last five games are away from home, so that means not jumping in your car and going 20 minutes for a game or, you know, 45 minutes. It means jumping on a plane,’ he said on Townsville on Wednesday.

‘I can understand people being critical of it (resting players), but at the end of the day, that’s what we think is going to work best for us.

Hooker Harry Grant will be given the opportunity to freshen up with the finals looming

‘Townsville is our longest away game and on a five-day turnaround, it is the ideal time to do it. 

‘I don’t think that draw is ideal, so we’re trying to make the best out of it that we can and being the minor premiers and it happening so early, we didn’t expect that obviously….but this is what we think is the ideal time to do it.’

He also scoffed at suggestions he had an obligation to the game and fans to field his strongest possible team.

‘It’s not my job to rip anyone off and it’s not my job to control who comes to the game and who doesn’t,’ he said.

‘My job or our job is – I don’t make this on my own you know, these decisions I get some advice and opinions….we think this [resting players] is best for our club this time of year.’

The Storm will unveil three debutants in young playmaker Keegan Russell-Smith, prop Tristan Powell and Ativalu Lisati, a mid-season signing from Penrith.

Bellamy added the club don’t ‘give Storm jumpers away’ and expected the trio to seize their opportunity.

Papenhuyzen and Munster will be Melbourne’s co-captains against Todd Payten’s men.