Brad Fittler, in a bold statement during Round 7 of the NRL, has dismissed the Melbourne Storm’s chances of clinching the premiership this season, following their fifth consecutive defeat. The Storm’s recent loss to the Raiders, 26-22 in Canberra, reflected the challenges they are currently facing, prompting Fittler to express concern about their performance and defence.
Storm legend Billy Slater, a fellow commentator, responded to Fittler’s remarks with caution, urging him to be careful with such declarations. He highlighted that the last time the Storm faced a five-match losing streak was in 2012, a season that ultimately ended with them winning the premiership.
Despite this historical perspective, Fittler was critical of the Storm’s current form, calling their performance against Canberra “flimsy” and citing significant injuries and absences, particularly in their forward pack, as factors hindering their success. He noted the absence of key players, like Xavier Coates and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, as crucial blows to their attacking and defensive strategies.
Slater echoed Fittler’s sentiments, observing that the Storm players seemed out of sync, with individuals failing to execute their roles effectively. He pointed out their missed opportunity to secure a win against the Raiders, who were desperate for victory after their own losing streak.
The Storm’s coach, Craig Bellamy, visibly frustrated, remarked on the inconsistency of his team’s performance. He acknowledged that while there were positives in their play, crucial mistakes had cost them dearly. Bellamy expressed disappointment in the team’s inability to maintain a steady defence, especially close to the try line, and noted the ongoing struggle to find a rhythm in both attack and defence.
Since beginning the season with promising wins against Parramatta and St George Illawarra, the Storm’s season has spiralled downwards, placing them in 14th position on the ladder. With their next match against South Sydney looming, Bellamy admitted the team is “scratching their heads” in search of solutions to reverse their fortunes.
While Fittler is sceptical about the Storm’s ability to bounce back this season, Slater remains hopeful based on past experiences, suggesting that it may be premature to write off a team with such a resilient history. Nevertheless, the Storm’s path ahead appears daunting as they seek to regain their footing in the competition.