No injuries is music to Bellamy's ears - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

No injuries is music to Bellamy's ears

By Guy Hand 26/05/2011 03:56:59 PM Comments (0)

The post-State of Origin phone call from Craig Bellamy to Cameron Smith provided exactly the news the Melbourne coach wanted to hear - no injuries.

So Bellamy is expected to back up all four of the Storm's Queensland heroes - Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Dane Nielsen - in the NRL match against Cronulla at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Bellamy says he will wait until the day before the match to make a final decision.

But all indications are the quartet have survived unscathed from the Maroons' 16-12 win over NSW at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night and should be fit enough to play the Sharks.

"We've got nothing serious - I just spoke to Cameron at the airport," Bellamy said on Thursday.

"It'll probably be Saturday morning until we decide 100 per cent on the four of them.

"Our players all seem to take great pride in backing up for the club again. There'd have to be something pretty seriously wrong (for them not to play)."

Bellamy, NSW coach for the previous three seasons, admitted to an unusual feeling in watching the Origin match, rather than being involved in it.

One thing he was able to do that he hadn't for the previous three series was marvel at Slater's contribution - including his match-winning try in game one.

"I wasn't so fussed on him playing for Queensland when I was coaching NSW - he always made me nervous," Bellamy said.

"He's one of my most favourite players ever to watch. He's just so exciting with his pace and skill. He's always involved in the game."

Bellamy has also been able to devote the week entirely to his club, rather than having his attention diverted by Origin coaching.

The Storm have had two weeks to stew on their surprise loss to Canberra in their last hitout, but still sit second on the ladder with seven wins from 10 matches.

"We had five days off and enjoyed ourselves, tried to recharge the batteries," Bellamy said.

"They came back Monday and Tuesday and trained really well. There's certainly a couple of things we picked out we can improve from the Canberra game.

"It's obviously an important game after a bye, after a loss."

The match is Smith's 200th game for Melbourne - only the second Storm player after Matt Geyer to reach the milestone.

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