Loading The remaining two places look uncertain, with newcomer Max King doing well in recent weeks, powerful forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui a natural ball-runner, Tom Eisenhuth making a case due to his versatility up front and utility forward Joe Stimson returning from suspension. Bellamy could also opt to bring a back line player in his 17th spot, such as Curtis Scott, but that looks less likely. Kamikamica, King, Fa'asuamaleaui, Eisenhuth, Stimson and Scott were all named in the 21-man squad to face the Cowboys although whether they all play won't be known until closer to game time. "There is still a bit of an audition," Bellamy said on Tuesday when asked about the bench spots.

"Christian's injury put a bit of a hole in us. Tui has come in and done a great job, Brandon has done a great job, in the last couple of weeks he has come back from that ankle injury and got back to where he was. "We have been able to get a couple of younger guys in there too. Tino has had three or four games, Max King has been really good for us as he has a good work ethic and fits in well. "The last couple of weeks there is a few things he has shown us that we really like so he will be pushing really hard for that 17. "We wanted Joey Stimson to get a bit more time [in the Queensland Cup] a few weeks ago and he unfortunately got a one-week suspension so I'm pretty sure he will be back in the squad this week. "I wouldn't say we have settled on what we want for that first week of finals but I don't want to think too far ahead."

Bellamy named half-back Brodie Croft to replace Munster at five-eighth this Friday, but it appears the coach will be sticking with Hughes at half-back and Papenhuyzen at full-back considering their strong form since moving to those roles two games ago. The Storm coach won't let his side look beyond this week despite them having the minor premiership locked in. The JJ Giltinan shield will be presented to the Storm after Friday night's game. Unless other injuries flare up, Bellamy said he wouldn't be making mass changes to his side as he wants to maintain momentum going into the finals. "We don't go out there and put a handbrake on just because there is a big game the week after," Bellamy said. "I'd like to think our players have a lot of pride in what they do every time they put on a Storm jumper."

As Munster sits out, his coach admitted the star playmaker's pranks have got the better of him in recent weeks. Last weekend Munster pinched Bellamy's bag when they arrived at the team hotel. "I feel like I'm going to punch him in the nose sometimes," Bellamy said with a laugh. "It was at the hotel that he knocked my bag off and I was just in a rush so I wasn't so happy. "At least I know he's an idiot and we can go from there."