An ability to overcome early season adversity has Storm well placed ahead of Saturday’s clash with the top of the table Cowboys.
Craig Bellamy is proud of the way his side has handled its growing injury list to currently sit third on the competition ladder.
However he is under no illusion that Storm's greatest challenge now awaits at Suncorp Stadium this weekend .
Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Panthers, Saturday 4 June, 7:30pm.
The master tactician was frank when asked whether the Round 10 match-up with the Cowboys feels like his side’s biggest challenge of the year.
“It doesn’t feel like it, it is,” Bellamy said.
“We havn’t played the premiers yet and they are playing as well as they were last year when they won the competition.
“They havn’t had too many injuries with their team either, they’ve been very stable with their 17 each week. That is another bonus for them to have the same team week in, week out.
“There are so many good players at that club, they are playing really well at the moment.”
The Cowboys' 7-2 record has come on the back of a largely unchanged line-up while Storm, although holding the same win-loss ledger, have endured weekly changes due to injury.
Eight outside back combinations in the opening nine rounds have not been ideal but the Victorian side has taken the hurdle in their stride.
The ability for his side to overcome the early season adversity is something the Storm coach has taken great pride in.
“Both Tohu (Harris) and Benny (Hampton) are playing out of position but they are doing a really good job for us at the moment so hopefully they can keep that up,” Bellamy said.
“It is not a position they are used to playing and we are playing against the premiers so it is going to be a big ask for them without a doubt.
“Hopefully they can get some help from their teammates and do a good job there.
“Our guys have been competing really well and hanging in there through the tough times. Hopefully we can do the same again on Saturday night.”
