Storm need to stop living in the past: Slater
Melbourne Storm star Billy Slater says his side has to get out of “2017” and adjust to the NRL’s penalty crack down.
The Storm committed 19 penalties and 15 errors in their 14-4 loss to Cronulla Sharks on Friday night and the reigning premiers have fallen to a 2-2 record.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy took his side through an overtime review meeting on Monday morning ahead of their clash with Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday.
Cameron Smith chats to NRL referee Matt Cecchin.
Photo: SuppliedSlater was delayed for his scheduled press conference by the meeting and he said Bellamy took the team through a lengthy review as they had to stop shooting themselves in the foot.
“We have never been about concentrating on what we can’t control,” Slater said.
“There is plenty we can control, that we can improve on, so firstly Craig is focusing on our errors, our turnovers and secondly our discipline - the interpretation has changed this year and we are probably still stuck in 2017 and need to catch up.”
The Storm’s error rate has been especially alarming as it has left them with too few opportunities to attack. In the Sharks’ loss they only completed 27 of 42 sets and failed to score a try.
With referees policing the 10-metre defensive line more closely, the Storm should be able to make more metres in attack and thus create more chances. Slater said they could only start doing that by valuing possession better.
“We need to, don’t we?” Slater said. “We had a couple of opportunities last Friday night and we didn’t take advantage of them - there was only one try scored in the game and it wasn’t us.”
Billy Slater says the Storm need to adjust to new interpretations.
Photo: AAPStorm centre Will Chambers is facing a two-game suspension for a dangerous tackle on Sharks star Paul Gallen. He has requested a 24-hour extension to decide whether to challenge the charge.
He will face a two-game ban whether he takes the early plea or challenges and is found guilty.
A guilty finding would also give him 80 carry over points, just 20 shy of a future one-game ban.
If the Storm accept the ban then Slater has tipped reliable back Young Tonumaipea as a potential replacement, while Justin Olam is another who could come in.
Cheyse Blair, who played in the 2016 grand final, has just returned to training and will likely need more time to regain his match fitness after a knee injury.
“We have got a few options and obviously Young has been 18th man and played a really good game for our feeder club on the weekend scoring three tries,” Slater said.
“He’s quite an experienced guy who could slip straight into the centres if Will is missing for a couple of weeks; he is the main guy that comes to mind when I think about a replacement in the outside backs.
“Cheyse Blair only got back out on the field last week, he had quite a lengthy spell inside but it was good to see him training with us last week and hopefully he is not far away from returning.
“He had some tough injuries in the last couple of years and it will be good to see him back out on the field.”
The Storm lost their home-opener to the Tigers and want to atone for their struggles last week but they will have added motivation as Bellamy coaches his 400th NRL game.
While the celebrated coach is off contract at the end of the season and yet to confirm his future, Slater said the length of the review session on Monday showed his veteran boss still had plenty of fuel in the tank.
“Well, I was late for this, wasn’t I?” Slater said with a wry smile referring to the marathon review.
“I don’t see any signs of Craig slowing up.”
The Storm play Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday at 3pm.