Billy Slater lifts the lid on Craig Bellamy move that could impact Broncos' NRL finals hopes

Storm legend Billy Slater has suggested Craig Bellamy could opt to rest a number of his players in the coming weeks, which will impact the Broncos in their desperate attempt to play NRL finals in 2024. The Storm have all but guaranteed themselves a top two finish on the ladder having defeated the Panthers in last Thursday's clash.

The Storm will play a home qualifying final and will look to make sure all their players are ready for an arduous finals campaign. Bellamy is a master-coach and has often opted to rest a number of players from his squad towards the end of the season.

And he will most likely look to do this again in 2024 with the final two games against the Cowboys and the Broncos being played in Queensland. Bellamy will likely rest Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster at some stage due the trio battling through injury at some stage this year.

Jahrome Hughes has also played the majority of the season and could use a week off before the finals. And Storm legend Slater has offered an insight into Bellamy's workings ahead of the finals. Slater believes Bellamy could rest a number of players as early as this weekend against the Dolphins, before taking a weakened side to Townsville against the Cowboys. This would benefit both teams.

The Cowboys currently sit in 7th position, Dragons in 8th and the Dolphins are in 9th. The Broncos are in 10th and will need to win their remaining three games - and hope the Dragons, Dolphins and Cowboys lose games - to reach the finals. "They've got their last home game against the Dolphins this week and given their position on the ladder, they might choose to do it this week and next week," Slater said on The Billy Slater Podcast.

"Especially [with] the Townsville trip — that's a long way from Melbourne. It's a four-hour flight going up there, playing in the heat. I wouldn't be surprised if Craig Bellamy rested his players there and potentially this week as well."

Unfortunately, Slater also believes Bellamy will opt to play a near full strength side in round 27. This clash would be against a Broncos side who might need a win to qualify for the finals.

"Given it's a Thursday night in Brisbane against the Broncos, you've got over a week to prepare for the first semi-final — I think Craig Bellamy would like to go into that Broncos game in round 27 fully fit and fully strengthened and go after the momentum," Slater added. The Maroons coach added he feels Melbourne have not peaked yet in 2024 and are only playing at 80 per cent.

Kevin Walters backs Broncos NRL finals push

The Broncos need to win their remaining three games and hope their closest top-eight rivals slip up if they want to qualify for the playoffs this season. Mathematically it's not impossible, but it's unlikely for Walters' side.

Walters is also dealing with a mounting injury toll and will miss Reece Walsh (fractured hand) and Payne Haas (foot injury) for Friday night's do-or-die clash against the Eels at Suncorp Stadium. Fortunately, Walters will welcome back Selwyn Cobbo.

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The outside back is set to put aside some recent personal struggles to help the Broncos make one final push. “He’s come back in great shape and he’s been going well at training,” Walters said on SEN Radio on Wednesday. “Cobbo has been through a bit in the last month but he seems to be on top of that at the moment. We haven’t seen him in a Broncos jumper for some weeks now so it will be good to see him back."