Storm coach Craig Bellamy has been captured in the coaches’ box seemingly directing an almighty blow up at Ryan Papenhuyzen, who had a dirty night with the boot during Melbourne’s 16-10 win over the Eels.
Papenhuyzen, who entered the game with a 82% conversion rate this season, missed three kicks at goal from four attempts. He was replaced in the role by Nick Meaney for the Storm’s final conversion following a matchwinning Xavier Coates try.
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One of those misses was from right in front, with Papenhuyzen hitting the post on that occasion.
The other two kicks he missed were penalty goal attempts, and while not easy by any means, they could have resulted in disastrous consequences for the Storm in what was a tight game.
“Didn’t he have a bludger of a night. He couldn’t kick a cow in the guts tonight,” Matty Johns said.
“It was just one of those nights.”
It’s worth noting that the Storm star was playing in his return game from a calf injury, which kept him sidelined for a month.
The Late Show with Matty Johns panel showed a clip of Bellamy yelling and pointing towards the field immediately after Papenhuyzen missed a second half penalty kick which would have given Melbourne a 12-10 lead.
“The good thing was that Bellamy didn’t care,” Johns quipped.
“Bellyache is just having a laugh.”
Bellamy reacts to Storm’s shaky win | 09:51
The Storm have the luxury of possessing Papenhuyzen and Meaney, who at their best, are two gun goalkickers.
Bellamy was asked who would take the tee next week, and in somewhat of a surprise, didn’t wait to announce a change was likely.
But not before a cheeky dig from skipper Harry Grant.
“You’re a goalkicker. Do some practice during the week,” Grant said.
“They would have to be ten metres out and right in front for me to kick,” Bellamy responded with a laugh.
“I think we’ll go back to Nick next week to be honest but we’ll have a chat about it and go from there.”
