Seize the day.
That’s Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy’s directive to his players as they contemplate the post-Cooper Cronk era.
The Storm’s masterful halfback is poised to play his last home match for the Storm, headed either for retirement or a Sydney club after this season.
Veteran fullback Billy Slater’s future remains up in the air as he weighs up whether to play on, and Melbourne faces the off-season departure of other key personnel in Tohu Harris and Jordan McLean.
Ahead of Friday’s grand final qualifier against Brisbane in Melbourne, Bellamy has told his minor premiers to embrace the opportunity they’ve created.
In the last of many seasons with all of his “big three” together – Cronk, Slater and Cameron Smith, Bellamy says there are no guarantees about such a strong title shot occurring again in the near future.
“You talk about opportunities, we’re not going to get to play again with Cooper in our team at AAMI Park and that’s sad enough in itself,” said Bellamy on Thursday.
“It’s more the opportunity – these guys have created a great opportunity for themselves this year. Now’s the time to take advantage of that opportunity.
“Without putting pressure on the group, you don’t get these opportunities often and you want to take them. That’s been our main thought this week. Our focus has been about how this is about everyone.
“Next year you don’t know where you’re going to be, you don’t know whether you’re going to be injured. It’s a unique opportunity.”
Just like South Sydney in 2014, North Queensland in 2015 and Cronulla in 2016, there is a sense of destiny about the 2017 Storm side as one of the greatest club combinations prepares to break up.
They are short-priced $1.26 favourites to beat the Broncos and $1.70 for the premiership after dominating the competition this year, winning 20 of 24 games during the regular season.
Melbourne also have the wood over the Broncos, winning 28 of their 42 meetings including 12 of their last 14.
Melbourne have played in seven grand finals since they entered the competition in 1998, winning four. Brisbane have played in four over that same period, winning three.
