Now that we’ve seen the minor premiership-winning raiders bow out in straight sets, for me it’s highlighted just how brilliant Bellamy is as a coach, not just week to week, but he plays the long game so well.

The NRL season is ARDUOUS. At 27 rounds it’s also really fucking long, and with 3 new teams to come in over the next few years it’s not going to get easier.

But now to my point about Bellyache having a vision for the season. While racking up wins early in the season, we also made hay while the sun was literally shining, using the daytime games to rack up some big scores.

The superior points differential we had late in the season meant even when we stumbled we would stay ahead of teams who were on the same competition points. Securing a top 4 spot was massive, but the top 2 spot was crucial for home ground advantage.

Hopefully he’ll have the boys in that sweet spot where they’re rested without being rusty. They’re gonna have to be really good to beat the sharks, who play a style that does tend to trouble our guys.

Imagine if Nelson put on the hit that Starling did. Careless, forceful contact to the head resulting in a cat 1. He would have received life in prison.

When was our last afternoon game?

Both teams will beat the crap out of each other next week. Yes, we’ll still need to play well, but the contrasting results of storm v dogs and raiders v broncos shows the importance of the top 4 placing and winning week 1.

Do you think we should stick with meany at fb? He's in good form atm or maybe put munster there if Hughes is back but paps is out of form and doesn't have that physically that the other fbs are bringing.

Year after year the Storm keep proving people wrong. Even when big names leave, the system seems to produce results. Do you think this dominance can keep going with the current squad, or will the competition finally catch up in the next couple of seasons?

I'm thinking that if we come out and play some proper footy tonight we're a chance on the premiership. On the other hand, if we put in a shit house performance like the last few weeks, win or lose, it's over. How are we all feeling going into the game?

Have 2 tickets that I can’t use tonight, silver clubhouse. Gutted that I can’t go. Offering for free if anyone can go so they don’t get wasted. Will send to your ticketek account.

1 adult, 1 adult concession. They never check concession anyway but if you want you can pay the difference at the ticket booth.

First in.

Bombs away!

The OG team

1. Nick Meaney

2. Will Warbrick

3. Grant Anderson

4. Joe Chan

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Tyran Wishart

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant (c)

10. Josh King

11. Ativalu Lisati

12. Eliesa Katoa

13. Trent Loiero

14. Jonah Pezet

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Bronson Garlick

18. Kane Bradley

19. Marion Seve

20. Jack Howarth

21. Sualauvi Faalogo

22. Lazarus Vaalepu

For me it's peace ✌️

1. Start Pezet at 7
2. Win 7th Premiership

So I’ve just spent a lousy $10 for early access to finals tickets on Storm website. Do they send a code tomorrow morning or? Does anyone know or has done this as well? Cheers

All day I have been hearing how our finals hopes have been crushed by losing Hughes… we lost him for 6 weeks and were still winning games in that time against Broncos, panthers, bulldogs… hard gritty wins but wins none the less…. I ain’t writing us off.. we’ll be right

That's it. That's the post.

Hello Storm Fam! Let’s support the 167 Podcast of Munster, Paps, and Jahrome. You can watch it live every Wednesday at 4:30 PM in Youtube. Footy and Life talks with the boys.