Melbourne Storm Coach Craig Bellamy says his players are ‘on notice’ heading into tonight’s all-important clash with the Sharks at AAMI Park.
With the winner to be crowned the competition’s Minor Premiers for topping the table come the end of the regular season, the Melbourne mentor says his side will approach the task much differently to that of when the side’s met earlier this year.
“They got away with a few things (in Round 4) that I don’t think they’d probably be allowed to get away with later in the season,” Bellamy said.
“That’s just the way they play their footy … they’re obviously a very talented team too, they’ve got very good outside backs who are very strong and very quick.
“Their forwards are really hard workers. But they’ve certainly got a little bit of niggle in their game, and that certainly took us by surprise last time.”
Such has been the tight, hard-fought nature of the competition throughout 2016, Bellamy said tonight’s deciding fixture is a fair end to the home and away season.
“They’re obviously a better team than what they were then … they won 15 or 16 on the trot … that’s a hell of a record in this competition. It just goes to show the quality team that they are,” Bellamy said.
“We had a good lead (atop the NRL ladder) with only a couple of games to go, I suppose it is fair enough that it comes down to this last game.
“I think it’s very fitting that it has come down to this.”
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