A 6-2 record may on the surface suggest it has been smooth sailing for Storm early on in 2016 but that has been far from the case.
The men in purple have encountered significant hurdles in the opening eight rounds but have found a way to overcome them.
Melbourne will head to the Gold Coast in third spot on the NRL ladder after a 42-0 win over the Warriors on ANZAC Day.
Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Panthers in Round 13, Saturday 4 June, 7:30pm.
That score line may have been easy on the eye but it was just reward for a playing group that has endured plenty so far this season.
“I have been really proud of their resilience this year,” Craig Bellamy said of his players.
“What has got us through most games has been a bit of grit and determination.
“We’ve had a few setbacks but at the end of the day you can’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself, you’ve got to get on with it and that’s what they’ve done.
“They’ve been tremendous with their effort in games and that has won most of our games to be quite honest. If you can keep doing that you are always going to keep giving yourself a chance so hopefully we can improve in a couple of other areas in our execution.”
Sunday’s game will be Craig Bellamy’s 350th as an NRL coach, a milestone that sees him in eighth spot on the all time coaching record.
His side will face a Titans team that has shown significant resilience of their own this season.
“They’ve been tremendous with their effort and their ability to hang in games… they’ve done a great job this year,” Bellamy said.
“They certainly haven’t been out of any game they’ve played in. The effort they’ve put in on every game they’ve played in has been tremendous.
“We know that isn’t going to change this week, we are expecting a tough game and we are going to get a tough game without a doubt.”
