It's hard to believe Melbourne are on top of the NRL ladder, coach Craig Bellamy says as his team continue to find a way to win despite a swag of sidelined stars.
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More of Melbourne's first-choice players were in the coaches' box than on the field as the Storm beat Canberra on Saturday night, with Bellamy joined by skipper Harry Grant, five-eighth Cameron Munster and centre Nick Meaney.
Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was also in the AAMI Park stands, out with another injury - this time his foot - while representative winger Xavier Coates suffered a hamstring problem late in the match.
But the makeshift backline, helped by a strong forward showing, were able to keep the Raiders at bay to win 16-6 - their 12th victory of the season.
"With our spine, our key position players, (Jahrome) Hughes was the only one that played," Bellamy said post-match.
"It's been a very disruptive season as far as injuries and people being out, so the guys have to take credit for the resilience they've shown.
"I can't remember too many pretty wins we've had this year, they've just hung in and got the job done.
"It's hard to believe we are where we are on the table with some of the games we've played. Some have been ugly but we've found a way."
While Grant and Meaney are expected to be available for next Saturday's clash visit to Wests Tigers, Papenhuyzen's heel injury has caused some concern.
The luckless fullback was only one game into his comeback after missing five NRL matches with a right-ankle fracture.
It was the same ankle he broke in week one of the finals against Brisbane last year, having previously missed 13 months with a shattered kneecap.
"I'm still not quite sure about Paps, they're still doing a bit of experimenting with injections or whatever and the right treatment for it," Bellamy said of his No.1.
"I don't think anyone thought it was going to be too long an injury, or too severe. It wasn't too bad when he first did it but a couple of days later, it got real sore.
"There's been some treatments since then and a couple of things they've done, but it hasn't seemed to have worked.
"It might be just a time thing. Hopefully he'll get on the paddock next week."
Australian Associated Press
