While much of the plaudits will go to Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk after Saturday night’s win over the Panthers, and deservingly so, there is another duo who are worthy of equal praise.
As Smith and Cronk spent much of the week in Origin camp, Jesse Bromwich and Blake Green were back in Melbourne driving the team’s preparations.
The newly promoted members of Storm’s leadership group proved their credentials in a week when their side needed them most.
In what would please the coach and the purple faithful even more, they backed up their off-field efforts with stellar performances on Saturday night in the 24-6 win over Penrith.
Green was an everywhere man, scuffing out countless Panther attacks on the Storm line while Bromwich was at his metre-eating best with 192m.
It was their commitment to the team, both on and off the field,that awarded them much deserved praise from the coach after the game.
“The two guys besides our Origin guys I’d like to give a wrap to are Jesse (Bromwich) and Blake Green,” Craig Bellamy said.
“I thought they were tremendous and they were tremendous throughout the week. Without Smithy and Cooper here they took it upon themselves to get in the front seat and drive the team through our preparation.
“The last thing I wanted to see was for them to see Cameron and Cooper’s face back and think they’ve got to get in the back seat again. The team needed them to stay in the front seat and that is what they did.
“Those two were especially effective tonight, their performance was tremendous and that is what we want from them in the future. Tonight and throughout the week they’ve been great, they’ve lead the younger players and done a great job with them.”
Storm now have a 10-2 record and will travel to face the Roosters next Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
