Craig Bellamy has had many proud moments over his storied 14 year career as Storm coach but Saturday night’s win over the Cowboys may take the cake.
Storm hit the front with courtesy of a Cameron Smith field goal with eight minutes to play and managed to hold onto the 15-14 lead down the stretch on the back of some trademark, brave defending.
Saturday’s win, the Club’s eighth in the opening 10 rounds, gave the coach plenty of cause to praise his troops after the match.
“I can't remember a time when I've been prouder of a team than I am with these guys,” Bellamy said.
“We are going through injuries and we lost another one tonight... but the amount of effort these guys are putting in at training, it is producing results for us on the field.
“It wasn't pretty tonight, we didn't score a try in the second half but the defence we are coming up with has been outstanding. I can't remember the last time we've won a real tough game like that.
“We are playing the premiers, a side leading the competition at the moment... it was a tremendous effort.”
Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Panthers, Saturday 4 June, 7:30pm.
Ben Hampton suffered a suspected calf injury, he will undergo scans during the week but is expected to spend some time on the sidelines. However this is a Storm side that is making a habit of overcoming adversity.
The Cowboys went into the game with the No.1 ranked defence, averaging 34 points per game over the last five weeks.
However the purple wall was strong at Suncorp, holding the reigning premiers to their lowest score of the season.
With only ten rounds gone, both captain and coach made a point that this side has a long way to go and must embrace the challenge of producing that effort week in week out.
“That is the challenge for everyone really,” Cameron Smith said.
“Over the last two seasons it is probably an area that we haven't been so good at, getting our younger guys turning up each week and playing consistently well.”
“This year they have done it for 10 rounds which has been great. I've been really proud of what they've been able to produce for our club this year.”
Storm will return to Melbourne before preparing to face the Eels next Monday night at Pirtek Stadium.
