LIVE NRL: Bellamy's shock switch as stars start from bench in do-or ...

Craig Bellamy’s brilliant finals record has the Melbourne Storm in the box seat in their semi-final with arch rivals the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park.

Harry Grant has been switched to the bench, with Bronson Garlick starting at hooker, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona starts at prop with Christian Welch on the pine.

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For the Roosters Fletcher Baker switches to the bench with Egan Butcher to start at prop.

The Storm have lost their last three finals, but Bellamy has never overseen four finals losses in a row and have only once gone out of the finals in straight sets back in 2013.

Harry Grant opened up on where the Storm need to improve after their 26-0 loss to the Broncos.

“Disappointing result last week, we left our worst game for a time when it counted so the mood has been pretty good through the week to learn from that and leave nothing in the tank tonight,” Grant said.

“Wishy comes in and will play his natural game, probably more of a runner, Jahrome is a big out but we’ve done it plenty of times throughout the year.

“We won’t have Paps either so looking forward to Means stepping up and having a big game.”

Cooper Cronk believes defence will be key to the result given both sides have struggled with consistency in 2023.

“The first time in a long team both teams have been inconsistent so this will come down to who can defend better for long periods of time,” Cronk said on Fox League.

“It’s also which all star steps up, Munster or Walker, it comes down to the flair and the big play because when you’re not playing at the highest level like the Broncos and Panthers are, it comes down to moments and individuals.”

Corey Parker belives the key will be who can fill their injury voids that will come out on top.

“There are key players out for both sides, the Roosters have three stars out but the big one is no Jahrome Hughes who has been integral for them, arguably their best player all season, he spearheads their attack,” Parker said.

“Their attack was something that left a lot to be desired last week, they were 26-0 beaten by the Broncos after not being kept to nil all season. They just didn’t seem to have anything so he’ll be a huge loss.”

The Storm lost the 2021 preliminary final to the Panthers, the 2022 elimination final to the Raiders and last week’s qualifying final to the Broncos in their last three finals appearances.

But a loss to the Roosters on Friday night would be the first time in his NRL career as a head coach that he has lost four in a row.

The only other time Bellamy’s Storm have lost three finals in a row was in 2014 after they went out of the 2013 finals in straight sets with back-to-back losses to Souths and the Knights.

If the Roosters want to upset the Storm on their own turf at their AAMI park fortress they will have to do what no team has ever done and hand Bellamy his fourth straight finals defeat.

Helping the Roosters’ cause is that star playmaker Jahrome is out for the Storm with Tyran Wishart coming into the halves in jersey No.21 to partner Cameron Munster.

Bronson Garlick comes onto the bench with Alec McDonald making way on the pine.

Justin Olam has been recalled in the centres to replace Young Tonumaipea, who suffered a head injury against the Broncos.

Meanwhile, Reimis Smith returns from injury on the wing in place of the injured Xavier Coates.

For the Roosters Paul Momirovski and Corey Allan are the new centre pairing with Joey Manu (hamstring) and Billy Smith (jaw) ruled out with injury.

Jaxson Paulo replaces Joseph Suaalii (head knock) on the wing.

A clash preliminary final clash with the Panthers awaits the winner of this semi-final clash, while the losers have Mad Monday and can start planning for 2024.

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TEAMS

Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park, 7.50pm AEST

Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Reimis Smith 6. Cameron Munster 21. Tyran Wishart 8. Tui Kamikamica 19. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 15. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims 18th man: 18. Grant Anderson

Players cut: 7. Jahrome Hughes 14. Alec MacDonald 20. Tepai Moeroa 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 15. Egan Butcher 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 8. Fletcher Baker 14. Sandon Smith 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 18th man: 18. Drew Hutchison

Players cut: 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Jake Turpin 22. Nathan Brown

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