It seems like every year we are thrown into the exact same argument – is it disrespectful to fans for teams at the top of the table to rest players? As the regular season approaches an end and teams at the top of the ladder have secured qualification into the finals, they start giving regular players a break to make sure they are fit and ready to go for the sudden death important games. That’s exactly what Craig Bellamy has done; 11 players have been left out of the 17-man squad to face the Cowboys. Eight have been omitted entirely, while three are named as reserves, should there be a last-minute injury.
More League It makes perfect sense. The Storm will virtually travel the entire length of the country from south to north to face the Cowboys in a game where there’s little to play for. Both teams have secured finals and the only change that can happen is that North Queensland’s results could determine a home elimination semi in the first week.
Some have mounted the argument that it’s insulting to local fans by robbing them of seeing talent on the field – but are they going to care at the end of the day if they go home a winner and finish higher up the ladder? For Melbourne, the minor premiership is wrapped up; they cannot go up any further, or lose any position on the ladder. The players have done the hard work this year to get them into the place that they are in, and now they deserve to cash in the rewards. Should the Storm be resting the majority of their best .