Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has walked out of his post-match press conference after voicing frustration at the NRL’s stance on hip-drop tackles, following an incident involving Cameron Munster.
The Storm held on for a 26-18 victory over the Bulldogs, but the late-game flashpoint left the veteran coach visibly agitated.
Munster immediately grabbed at his ankle but was able to finish the game with a limp.
The incident came at a crucial time with finals just around the corner.
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With just over five minutes remaining, Bulldogs forward Jaeman Salmon trapped Munster’s foot as the Storm playmaker pushed through the defensive line.
Munster went down clutching his ankle and looked in serious discomfort, though he avoided major damage.
Bellamy questions NRL stance on hip drops
Bellamy was asked about Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo’s comments on slow play-the-balls but instead pivoted to the dangerous tackle debate.
“The one thing I noticed today, it might have been slow play-the-balls, it might not have been. But it seems as though the league has come (to) a different opinion of hip drops now,” Bellamy said.
“I don’t think any player goes out there to drop their hip on the back of someone’s legs, but in the past we’ve had players at other clubs be suspended for that.
“All of a sudden now it seems to be an accident. That’s what I took out of the game.”
Storm coach walks out mid-press conference
After making his point, Bellamy stood up and abruptly exited the press conference, leaving captain Harry Grant caught off guard by the sudden move.
The Storm coach’s frustration stemmed from the lack of action against Salmon, despite the NRL having cracked down heavily on hip-drop tackles throughout the season.
South Sydney’s Jamie Humphreys was hit with a two-match suspension for a hip drop in Round 27, while Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes also faced a ban before his charge was successfully downgraded.
That context made the decision not to penalise Salmon difficult for Bellamy to accept.
Munster injury update
Earlier in the media conference, Bellamy had downplayed concerns over Munster’s injury.
“I don’t think it’s great, but I don’t think it’s anything too serious,” he said.
“He was just talking to me about it then, he said it’s really sore. But he will be all right.”