Craig Bellamy, the coach of the Storm, expressed profound disappointment following his team’s narrow 18-16 defeat to the Sea Eagles in Melbourne, especially during the club’s old boys’ day. He questioned the players’ commitment and alluded to a lack of effort, suggesting that the squad was aiming for an “easy performance.”
“It’s disappointing to perform like that on old boys’ day,” Bellamy remarked in the post-match press conference. He criticised the team’s mindset, indicating they appeared to be searching for shortcuts rather than showing the resilience and hard work that defines the club.
Despite wing Xavier Coates’ impressive hat-trick, the Storm fell short due to crucial penalties against key players, including Harry Grant and Nelson Asofa-Solomona. A disallowed try stemming from Asofa-Solomona’s dangerous contact, which resulted in an injury to Jake Simpkin, further compounded the team’s issues. The Sea Eagles capitalised on errors and concluded the match with a penalty goal after a late infraction on Luke Brooks.
When asked about the team’s discipline and errors, Bellamy’s frustration was evident. He stated, “I was really disappointed with the way we played, how we started. It seemed like we were looking for shortcuts right from the get-go.” He emphasised the necessity of hard work, both in football and life, and lamented that the team was unwilling to put in the effort required early in the match, which ultimately led to their downfall.
Bellamy noted that the team’s poor completion rate compared to the Sea Eagles played a significant role in their inability to remain competitive. He stressed the importance of maintaining discipline and focus in order to succeed on the field.
Regarding a contentious first-half incident that resulted in denying the Storm a try, Bellamy chose to remain tight-lipped, stating, “I’ve got an opinion but I ain’t going to say it.”
In summary, Bellamy’s post-match comments reflected a strong disappointment in his team’s performance and attitude, highlighting a need for greater resolve and discipline in future matches as they strive to return to their former glory.