In an unexpected turn of events during round seven of the NRL, Brad Fittler has declared the Melbourne Storm’s chances of securing the premiership this season as bleak. Following the Storm’s fifth consecutive defeat, a 26-22 loss to the Raiders in Canberra, Fittler expressed doubt about the team’s prospects for the remainder of the season.
Fellow commentator and Storm legend Billy Slater countered Fittler’s comments, urging caution. He recalled that the last time the Storm endured such a losing streak was in 2012, a year they ultimately triumphed in the grand final. Despite this, Fittler remained critical, labelling the Storm’s recent performance as “flimsy” and expressing concern over their defensive issues and the absence of key players.
The Storm have notably struggled since losing star players like Xavier Coates and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, impacting both their attacking and defensive strategies. As a result, they find themselves sitting in 14th place on the ladder, risking a fall to 17th by the end of the round. Slater commented on the team’s disjointed play and inability to execute effectively, highlighting their missed opportunities in recent matches.
In a press conference after the game, Storm coach Craig Bellamy acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, describing their efforts as a mix of commendable plays overshadowed by critical mistakes. He lamented the difficulty in maintaining a steady performance, particularly in defence close to their try line.
Despite a promising start to the season with wins against Parramatta and St George Illawarra, the Storm seem to have lost their way. Bellamy expressed frustration at the current state of affairs and mentioned a need for a collective brainstorming session among the team to find solutions moving forward.
Melbourne, who have been grand finalists in the past two seasons, will be looking to regroup ahead of their next challenge against South Sydney at home. With the team’s recent struggles being a stark contrast to their usual dominance, fans will be hoping for a turnaround as the season progresses.