Storm's Bellamy names arch-rivals as NRL benchmark
Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success.
Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title.
Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win.
"Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park.
"I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year."
After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory.
"I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence.
"Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best.
"The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp."
Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams.
Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane.
The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne.
"We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said.
"We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best.
"At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that.
"Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing."
Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week.
It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres.
"He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad.
"It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game.
"It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field."
Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success.
Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title.
Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win.
"Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park.
"I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year."
After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory.
"I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence.
"Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best.
"The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp."
Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams.
Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane.
The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne.
"We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said.
"We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best.
"At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that.
"Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing."
Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week.
It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres.
"He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad.
"It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game.
"It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field."
Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success.
Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title.
Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win.
"Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park.
"I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year."
After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory.
"I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence.
"Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best.
"The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp."
Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams.
Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane.
The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne.
"We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said.
"We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best.
"At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that.
"Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing."
Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week.
It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres.
"He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad.
"It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game.
"It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field."
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