05/06/2026
Bellamy Praises Storm Resilience After Gritty Win Over Knights
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has praised his side's resilience after securing an important victory over a top-four Newcastle outfit, admitting his injury-hit team will "take any win" they can get this season.
The Storm survived a high-scoring contest to claim the two competition points heading into the bye, overcoming a Newcastle side Bellamy believes showcased exactly why they sit among the NRL's best teams.
"They move the ball as much as any team in the comp," Bellamy said post-match.
"We were hoping for a bit of rain today, it was forecast during the week, but we didn't get it tonight."
"You can see why they're in the top four. They defended their 20-metre and 30-metre zone as good as any team we've played this year."
Bellamy was particularly impressed with Newcastle's attack and defensive resolve, admitting it was a game few would expect the Storm to win after conceding 30 points.
"They moved the ball around."
"I don't think you think you can have 30 points conceded against you in a game and still win."
Despite the defensive lapses, Bellamy felt the foundation for the victory was laid in the opening half through Melbourne's dominance of possession.
"I just thought, to be quite honest, the amount of ball we had in the first half probably counted in the end."
"They probably tired a touch a bit from that. That's probably where we won the game."
The win was another reminder of the importance of halfback Jahrome Hughes, who once again steered the Storm around the park in trademark fashion.
"I don't know how much better I could describe Hughes," Bellamy said.
"He has been a class player for a long time now for us."
"We have been able to keep our spine basically intact even with the injuries and Hughesy has led the way there."
Bellamy also reserved special praise for forward Trent Loiero, who delivered one of his strongest performances of the season after battling confidence issues earlier in the year.
"Trent was struggling earlier. I'm not sure why, he was down a little bit in confidence."
"We have worked at building his confidence back up."
"He played long minutes tonight. He wasn't just getting through it, it was a lot of important minutes for us and he did a great job."
Storm captain Harry Grant echoed Bellamy's sentiments, praising his team's ability to adapt throughout the match.
"It is hard to understand week to week what the game is going to be like," Grant said.
"They are a really good attacking side with some good attacking weapons and they made us pay tonight for sure."
"We were good at getting on with our next role and next job."
"To come away with two points going into the bye, you've got to be happy with it."
Another player earning recognition was veteran prop Stefano Utoikamanu, whose consistency has become a hallmark of Melbourne's forward pack this season.
"Stef has been really consistent this year," Bellamy said.
"I'm not sure where that compares with last year."
"The last couple of weeks he has done a great job and has been one of the most consistent this year."
"He is tremendous."
"Stef is a great team man or club man, whatever you like to call it. Whatever his team needs or his club needs, he seems to try and find that."
Bellamy also praised Cameron Munster's performance, joking that predicting the Queensland star can often be impossible.
"With Munster you say one thing, and it could be 180 degrees apart from that."
"I thought he had a great match."
However, the night was overshadowed by heartbreaking news regarding star winger Xavier Coates, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon just weeks away from returning from injury.
The news was delivered to the playing group before kick-off and served as a major source of motivation throughout the evening.
"You probably know more than me about Xavier Coates with that press release that's been released," Bellamy said.
"He's done his Achilles again."
"The players knew before the game."
"Our effort tonight was for X."
"I'm not really sure what to say either."
"He's a great player and a great fella too."
"I'm not quite sure what to say, it's a serious injury again."
"If there is someone who will fight it and fight his way back, it is Xavier."
Grant admitted the setback was devastating for the entire squad.
"He was only a couple of weeks away from returning."
"He is the ultimate team man. You always know what you're going to get from him."
"He will get the full repair done now and get on with the journey."
The injury creates another opportunity for outside backs such as Moses Leo, who Bellamy believes continues to improve every week despite still learning the finer details of rugby league after transitioning from rugby sevens.
"Moses Leo is still learning about the game to be honest."
"He has done a lot of his learning in the Sevens."
"He is still learning about the game."
"I thought tonight's game was one of his best."
"He certainly has some pace, that is his big strength."
"He is learning a lot more defensively and I think he is going to be a good player for us."
With another hard-fought win banked and a bye on the horizon, the Storm head into the break with momentum, confidence and perhaps most importantly, a victory dedicated to one of their most respected teammates.
Melbourne Storm NRL
