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Bellamy backs Finucane for NSW pack

Laine ClarkAAP
Dale Finucane powering over for one of Storm's 12 tries in the thrashing of Wests Tigers.
Camera IconDale Finucane powering over for one of Storm's 12 tries in the thrashing of Wests Tigers. Credit: AAP

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy believes Dale Finucane can fill NSW's forward pack vacancy after the Storm's 66-16 NRL rout of Wests Tigers on the Sunshine Coast.

There was plenty to like for Bellamy after Melbourne romped to their 12th straight win to reclaim NRL top spot following the 12 tries-to-three thumping on Saturday night.

The Storm scored five tries in the first 15 minutes before the Tigers had completed a set to lead 40-0 at halftime.

There was no shortage of stars but Bellamy believed the workaholic Finucane stood out in a not so subtle reminder to Blues selectors who must replace injured prop Jake Trbojevic for Origin II.

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Finucane played the last of his four Origins for the Blues in 2020 but Bellamy believed he had done enough to earn a recall after running 129 metres and featuring as one of Melbourne's 10 different try scorers at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

"I couldn't think of a better player than Dale to be going in there," Bellamy said.

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"This is not being critical because NSW have got some really good players in that position, but I thought he was very unlucky not to be there originally.

"This year I think he has gone to greater heights. Any rep team that he is eligible for I would be picking him in it."

Finucane and Queensland Origin stars Harry Grant and Christian Welch helped Melbourne's pack maintain momentum when they were reduced to 14 for the final 20 minutes after injuries to Brandon Smith (calf), Reimis Smith (ankle) and Tom Eisenhuth (elbow).

Giant forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona was also sin binned in the 66th minute.

But Grant and Welch look set to face a tougher test against NSW in June 27's State of Origin II after being eased into the game by Melbourne.

Grant only had 45 minutes off the bench against the Tigers despite Brandon Smith not featuring in the second half before being hooked after scoring a try and setting up another.

It was a vital hit-out for Grant who almost played the full 80 minutes for Queensland in their recent opening Origin horror loss - his first game in a month due to a hamstring complaint.

"He is fit enough to play a strong 80 minutes but we got him off towards the end to make sure he is 100 per cent for Origin," Bellamy said of Grant.

Welch came off the bench to run 110 metres in 59 minutes in his return match from concussion suffered in Origin I but was blowing hard after being left on the field for all of the second half.

"I probably intended getting him off 10 to 15 minutes before the end, but I think we only had one player left on the bench," Bellamy said. "He will feel a bit more confident playing Origin tomorrow week."

Melbourne's other Maroons stars Cameron Munster (one try, one line break, one line break assist) and Felise Kaufusi (one try, one line break, 80 metres) also impressed.

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