Steve Menzies is looking forward to the challenge of topping Storm superstar Greg Inglis in tonight’s top-of-the-table clash between Manly and Melbourne, while Storm coach Craig Bellamy has one eye on creating history.
Menzies, the longest serving player in the NRL, will mark up against the in-from 21-year-old Queensland flyer in what he says will be a “great challenge”.
“He’s is an awesome player with a killer fend. Inglis has it all. He’s a freakish talent,” Menzies told News Limited. “He runs when he wants, can palm off, has athletic ability and can beat a player.
“You just can’t give him any room. He’s particularly dangerous 20m-30m out from your tryline so you have to restrict his chances. It will be a great challenge for me because he is on fire,” Menzies said.
“We both have the same number on our back so it will be an individual contest, but it will be a test for the whole team really.”
Despite Manly holding pole position at the top of the ladder and playing with home ground advantage at Brookvale Oval, the Storm will go into the match as comfortable favourites.
Melbourne coach Bellamy says the game will be crucial in his team’s quest to win an unprecedented third straight minor premiership.
“Manly have a far superior points-for-and-against tally so they effectively have a two-game lead over us, Cronulla and Sydney in the race for top spot,” Bellamy told News.
“But no team has ever won three minor premierships in a row in the NRL, and while that’s not our number one goal, it would be wonderful.”
