Storm and Kangaroos strengthen bond

The Melbourne Storm and AFL club the Kangaroos continued to develop their strong bond today with Storm coaching staff taking the Kangaroos players through a typical rugby league training session at Gosch’s Paddock.

With the club having this weekend off due to the AFL’s split round of matches, it gave Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley the opportunity to try something new.

“It’s been a different week and to finish it off down here with Craig (Bellamy) and the boys is great for us, it’s a bit different,” said Laidley.

“We pass on the same message but a different voice carrying on that message is pretty good for us at this stage of the year.”

The Storm and the ‘Roos have enjoyed an outstanding relationship in recent times with the Kangaroos players benefiting from a change of pace and scenery, as well as being taught a vital aspect of both games.

Both forms of the game have distinct differences, but Laidley is hoping the various similarities between the two games can be incorporated into the Kangaroos style.

“I just thought that at the end of last year it (tackling) was something we needed to address. It’s an ongoing process we’ve been working on with the guys and will continue to do so,” said Laidley.

Laidley appreciates that tackling is an important part of the game and something the rugby league boys do well.

“There’s certainly more grunt about it (rugby league). Every time you’ve got the footy you know that you’ve got someone running straight at you,” explained Laidley.

“Things are a little bit different for us, they come at you from different angles. So the stuff that we have been doing, which is an ongoing process, we need to be on top of that part of the game.

“You only possess the ball for 50% of the game, unfortunately for the other half the opposition has the ball so you need to be able to get it off them pretty quickly and I think this certainly helps us.”

Not only do the Kangaroos benefit from these sessions. Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy also believes there are benefits for his team as well.

“We’ve had breakfast with Dean and his staff and we certainly talked about a few things and shared some ideas there and I’m sure it’s going to help both clubs,” said Bellamy.

“Those guys are very good with the ball in the air and hopefully in the near future we might be able to return serve and send our kickers and catchers to do a little bit of work with Dean and his boys.”

The Kangaroos have always been known as a team that gives it everything, especially in the tackling and harassing department. If the players can take on board any advice from the coaches of a game where tackling is its core skill, it will only make the Kangaroos harder to beat.