NRL: Craig Bellamy disappointed despite Storm win over Panthers
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is disappointed with how his side played against the Penrith Panthers on Thursday night to kick off Round 3 of the NRL, despite winning 30-24 in the grand final rematch.
“Nah, not happy at all,” Bellamy said after the match.
“I think we got a bit complacent, which I don’t really like that in our team.
“We should have realised that Penrith have been in the last five grand finals and won four of them, so they know how to win.
“Pretty disappointed, to be honest.”
The Storm went into the match as clear favourites with top NRL betting sites, and their live odds plunged after Penrith lost star pivot Nathan Cleary early in the match due to a mid-air collision that resulted in a concussion.
This, combined with two quick tries, meant Melbourne were up 14-0 after the opening quarter and looking completely in control of the game.
The Panthers came back hard, however, and scored 16 unanswered points to take the lead early in the second half.
While the Storm managed to hold off Penrith in the second half to gain their revenge for the 2024 grand final, the victory was far less comfortable than it should have been.
When asked whether it was the 14 early points his side scored or the sidelining of Cleary that triggered the Storm’s complacency, Bellamy said it “was a little bit of both”.
“Yeah, I was really disappointed,” he continued.
“Like I said, they’ve been such a successful club for such a long time, they know how to win.
“They know if they lose a couple of key players they’re still going to play well, they still know how to win.”
Rugby league bookmakers have lengthened Penrith’s odds of winning a fifth-straight title, while Melbourne’s outright price has remained firm.
Bet365 has the Storm at $2.75 to win the 2025 NRL Premiership, with the Panthers back at $7 and the Brisbane Broncos on the second line of betting at $5.50.
