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Melbourne Storm lose Cooper Cronk, regain Cameron Smith for Cronulla Sharks clash
By Roy Ward
Melbourne Storm have lost Cooper Cronk but will regain Cameron Smith for their clash with Cronulla Sharks in Sydney on Thursday night.
The Storm opted not to risk Cronk's long-term fitness by playing him in his third game in eight days after he and centre Will Chambers backed up against Newcastle last Friday just two days after Origin I.
Smith missed the Storm's win over the Knights last Friday due to fatigue following Origin.
Cameron Smith watches from the coaches' box during the Storm's win over Newcastle. Credit: Getty Images
Smith trained this week and has given coach Craig Bellamy no cause to doubt he will play, but Cronk and Chambers were given time off and only returned to the club on Wednesday.
Bellamy stopped short of confirming they would face the Sharks when talking to media on Wednesday morning and his apprehension was reflected that night when Cronk was left out of the 19-man squad.
Cooper Cronk has been named in the side to play the Sharks.Credit: Getty Images
The Storm named utility forward Tohu Harris at half-back in place of Cronk while Chambers and Smith were named to start.
Playmaker Ryley Jacks was named in the 19 and he could come into the side on game day for either Slade Griffin or Young Tonumaipea who were named on the bench.
"We haven't done a whole heap of training, we had a light session on Sunday and one on Wednesday, but it is what it is and everyone has come up reasonably well," Bellamy said.
"Smith trained the other day and did what we wanted him to do, unless something happens today [Wednesday] he will be playing."
Bellamy said on Wednesday Cronk was not assured to face the Sharks.
"We will check them out," Bellamy said.
"We will see how they pull up, three games in eight days is a hectic schedule, especially after such a quick Origin game."
Storm supporters did receive some good news on Wednesday night when several Queensland media outlets reported Billy Slater would be recalled to the Queensland side for Origin II as long as he gets through Thursday night's game.
The two sides sit first and second on the NRL ladder and again look on course for a meeting deep in the finals following on from their grand final clash last year.
The Sharks had four players in State of Origin – Jack Bird, James Maloney, Andrew Fifita and Wade Graham – but they had bye last round.
The Storm had a bye leading into the first State of Origin game but Bellamy said there will be no excuses for not performing at game time.
"It probably is a bit rough but that's the way it is," Bellamy said.
"It's just the way. When Origin comes you baton down the hatches and do what you have to do.
"The draw at times favours some teams and other times it doesn't favour teams, but in the end it evens out throughout the Origin games."
The Storm's first-choice forward pack is finally in place and Bellamy has put the onus on them to create space and time for the Storm's playmakers to set up scoring chances.
A lack of time and space hurt the Storm in their early-season loss to the Sharks.
"They always have that job to make ground for us and give our halves a bit of time and room," Bellamy said.
"We are starting to get them back together, there have been different guys out at different times and they are starting to build those combinations together and get used to playing with each other again."
Storm play the Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Thursday, at 7.50pm.