Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is not a man to reminisce
or rest on his laurels.
He allowed himself to watch one replay of Melbourne's 2009
grand final triumph over Parramatta and then it was back to
the future.
And, as usual at the Storm, it's looking bright.
They've started 2010 on a high, winning their first World
Club Challenge crown with a gutsy victory 18-10 over Leeds,
avenging their defeat two years ago.
Bellamy believes his squad have the talent to defend their
NRL title despite another major off-season turnover of
players.
Vitally, the big guns - Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Cam Smith
and Cooper Cronk - remain.
"It's the biggest change over we've had in players in the
squad so it's a new year, new team," Bellamy said.
"Nearly half of the squad's been turned over, it's a big
number.
"But I think when we've got everyone fit we certainly can
(retain the title)."
The most high profile of the five recruits is backrower Todd
Lowrie, who came from the Eels.
Lowrie is likely to step straight into the shoes of
work-horse Dallas Johnson, who was a surprise departure to
Paris-based Super League club Les Catalans.
They are big shoes to fill.
"You don't really replace players like Dallas Johnson, you
can put someone else in his spot and hopefully they'll bring
something to the side," Bellamy said.
"Todd Lowrie will get first go out there.
"He's a different player to Dallas, I'm not saying he's
better or worse but Dallas is pretty unique in what he
brought to us, not only on the field but off the field as
well."
Many of the new faces in the squad come from their champion
under-20 side but Bellamy said he only expected about two to
make their NRL debut.
"Those guys did a tremendous job last year but it's still a
big step up from under 20s to the NRL.
"There's certainly some guys showing some promise.
"We won't know what these young blokes can do until they get
a chance, it's a big step up, some can do it straight away."
He named winger Matt Duffie, English-born fullback Gareth
Widdop, halfback Luke Kelly, lock Billy Rogers and prop Jesse
Bromwich as players to watch.
Brisbane was the last side to successfully defend its ARL/NRL
premiership, back in 1992-93, while the last team to make
five successive grand finals, a feat Melbourne will be aiming
for this year, was Souths from 1967-71.
"It'd be nice if it happened but if that's our focus now, it
won't work for us," Bellamy said.
"We're only worried about first game, the rest of season will
look after itself."
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