Bellamy tipping a new Storm in 2009 - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Bellamy tipping a new Storm in 2009

By Wayne Heming 01/03/2009 05:58:17 PM Comments (0)

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has tipped a few selections surprises for Melbourne's NRL season opener against Wayne Bennett's Dragons after being impressed by the efforts of his youngsters in Saturday night's 20-6 trial win over Brisbane.

Bellamy gave Storm fans, disappointed by some key player losses for 2009, some encouragement for the season ahead, tipping a few of the club's new faces would quickly win them over.

The triple grand final coach said as many as four spots were up for grabs for the round one showdown with the Dragons.

"Everyone knows we've had a pretty big turnover of players." said Bellamy.

"We've lost some really good players in Israel (Folau) obviously and Jason Crocker and Jeremy Smith, Antonio Kaufusi and Matty Geyer who could play a lot of positions for us.

"I was really happy with the way the young players and those from other clubs who haven't established themselves performed.

"They've certainly put their case forward.

"Kev Proctor was outstanding, Scott Anderson was good, so was Aiden Tolman and young Joe Tomane and Willie Isa.

"There's probably three or four spots open in the 17 so there'll probably be a few new faces against the Dragons that people probably didn't expect would be there two or three months ago."

Canberra recruit, Ryan Hinchcliffe, who slotted into the dummy half role in the second half after skipper Cameron Smith suffered a corked knee, former Warriors Test forward Wairangi Koopu and rugby bound Will Chambers also impressed their coach.

"Obviously Hinchy plays dummy half but he could do a role in the back-row for us," said Bellamy.

"He's a tough kid and he did some really good things when he went on for Cameron.

"Wairangi is a very experienced player and he held his own when he replaced Sika Manu in the first half,

Koopu finished the game in the centres showing his versatility.

"He played the last 20 minutes in the centres as a bit of an experiment. I'm not quite sure that's his position but he's been tremendous at the club and he certainly wouldn't be out of place if he finds himself in the 17 for the Dragons game," said Bellamy.

One player Bellamy won't have to think too much about is Chambers, who will link up with the Reds in the Super 14 at the end of this season.

Despite limited opportunities on Saturday Chambers looked the goods when he got involved in the play.

"He was the most pleasing of all the players," said Bellamy.

"I thought he was excellent. He hasn't played for nine or 10 months and I thought his game tonight was tremendous."

Bellamy's only concern out of the trial win was a corked knee suffered by Smith in the first half.

"We were a bit worried about him at half time but I don't think it's too serious," he said.

"The doctors didn't want him to go back for the second half because he's too valuable to take any chances with in a trial.'

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