Not dropped, just ‘rested’: Mystery surrounds Storm halfback on eve of finals
The Melbourne team sheet come 4pm Tuesday will be the Storm’s most fascinating team list for the season.
Will “rested” halfback Brodie Croft be recalled for the top-four showdown against arch rivals Manly Sea Eagles?
Or are the Storm about undergo a spine shake-up on the eve of September?
Croft, 22, has long been referred to as a “work-in-progress” by the Storm as the young gun halfback continues his NRL development.
When the Storm No.7 was hooked against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 20, Croft’s body language suggested he was far from content with the call from coach Craig Bellamy.
Check the Storm’s numbers in terms of tries leaked this season and for the NRL’s best defensive team if you freeze it there all the problems are down Croft’s right edge.
There’s no question whatsoever the Storm No.7 has a brilliant kicking game and is a strong runner of the football.
But defensively there have been 28 tries leaked down his edge. Compare this to seven down Storm’s left edge or 11 down Storm’s middle.
Individually, Croft has had 11 “try causes” this season. Compare this to five-eighth Cameron Muster, who’s had three.
The numbers don’t lie and what they add up to is one of the most intriguing questions of the year.
Do the runaway competition leaders stick with Brodie Croft as their starting halfback for the remainder of the year or do they cut ties a fortnight out from the finals and go with Jahrome Hughes at No.7.
Let’s not forget Croft was dropped back to the Queensland Cup last year to further his development before returning leading into the finals.
If Melbourne drop Croft, it allows the Storm to get young gun Ryan Papenhuyzen into their starting side at fullback.
Papenhuyzen’s numbers against the Gold Coast in Round 23 were off the charts; 19 runs, 199m, seven tackle busts, three line breaks, two line break assists and a try.
Fox Sports has been told the Storm have entertained trying to move Croft on at the end of this season. Croft’s agent has denied this.
Which adds even more intrigue around whether Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy names him in the No.7 jumper on Tuesday.
And even if he is in the No.7, does he play against Manly or do the Storm do the late switch like they did against the Gold Coast.
And Croft gets “rested”.
The Melbourne team sheet come 4pm Tuesday will be the Storm’s most fascinating team list for the season.
Will “rested” halfback Brodie Croft be recalled for the top-four showdown against arch rivals Manly Sea Eagles?
Or are the Storm about undergo a spine shake-up on the eve of September?
Croft, 22, has long been referred to as a “work-in-progress” by the Storm as the young gun halfback continues his NRL development.
When the Storm No.7 was hooked against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 20, Croft’s body language suggested he was far from content with the call from coach Craig Bellamy.
Check the Storm’s numbers in terms of tries leaked this season and for the NRL’s best defensive team if you freeze it there all the problems are down Croft’s right edge.
There’s no question whatsoever the Storm No.7 has a brilliant kicking game and is a strong runner of the football.
But defensively there have been 28 tries leaked down his edge. Compare this to seven down Storm’s left edge or 11 down Storm’s middle.
Individually, Croft has had 11 “try causes” this season. Compare this to five-eighth Cameron Muster, who’s had three.
The numbers don’t lie and what they add up to is one of the most intriguing questions of the year.
Do the runaway competition leaders stick with Brodie Croft as their starting halfback for the remainder of the year or do they cut ties a fortnight out from the finals and go with Jahrome Hughes at No.7.
Let’s not forget Croft was dropped back to the Queensland Cup last year to further his development before returning leading into the finals.
If Melbourne drop Croft, it allows the Storm to get young gun Ryan Papenhuyzen into their starting side at fullback.
Papenhuyzen’s numbers against the Gold Coast in Round 23 were off the charts; 19 runs, 199m, seven tackle busts, three line breaks, two line break assists and a try.
Fox Sports has been told the Storm have entertained trying to move Croft on at the end of this season. Croft’s agent has denied this.
Which adds even more intrigue around whether Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy names him in the No.7 jumper on Tuesday.
And even if he is in the No.7, does he play against Manly or do the Storm do the late switch like they did against the Gold Coast.
And Croft gets “rested”.
