The sight of Melbourne Storm gamers working at teammates sporting Penrith jerseys throughout opposed coaching periods this week left their preliminary remaining opponents scratching their heads and one even had a “giggle”.
Pictures emerged of the Storm mentor Craig Bellamy’s males taking the bizarre step throughout coaching at Gosch’s Paddock in Melbourne forward of Friday’s blockbusters with a number of of gamers sporting reproduction Panthers jerseys, full with logos and sponsors.
Melbourne has misplaced each encounters with Penrith this season, with a mixed scoreline of 60-22 in favour of the back-to-back premiers and Storm are rank outsiders to upset the Panthers in Sydney within the grand remaining qualifier.
Using reserve gamers as opposition for groups to observe set performs is widespread, however Penrith prop Moses Leota mentioned it was “weird” to see the likes of Storm big Nelson Asofa-Solomona charging in to black jerseys.
“That was weird, it was the first time I have seen that,” Leota laughed on Wednesday.
“It is funny to see how other teams prepare differently to how we prepare.”
Newly re-signed prop Lindsay Smith mentioned he had a “giggle” when he noticed it however premiership successful Panthers huge man James Fisher-Harris mentioned if his coach Ivan Cleary thought it will assist preparation for a large recreation, he’d do it.
“I heard about it,” he mentioned.
“I’d do that, it’s pretty smart. Maybe it’s just [about] the awareness. Whatever helps the team. That’s why they are doing it.”
Smith mentioned Melbourne was simply including a brand new component to weekly opposition simulation each workforce does.
“For our boys that aren’t playing each week they will try and emulate the opposition team,” he mentioned
“The Storm have found a different way to do that this week.”
The health of star Penrith playmaker Jarome Luai stays the largest query across the Panthers this week as he seems to be to return from a dislocated shoulder sooner than most anticipated.
A key coaching session on Wednesday, and Luai’s restoration from it, may decide if he takes the sector towards Melbourne and be part of centre Izack Tago, who’s recovering from a pectoral damage which may give Penrith it’s first full-strength workforce for the season.
“I can’t remember when we have had a full strength team,” Fisher-Harris mentioned.
“It’s become normal for us with a next man-up sort of thing.
“Fingers crossed the boys will be sweet, it doesn’t matter who you are, you pull on a jersey and you have a job to do.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
