The Canberra Raiders have gotten themselves into this situation and coach Ricky Stuart doesn't expect Craig Bellamy to help them get out of it.
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While they might be good mates, dating back to their playing days with the Green Machine, Stuart expected Melbourne coach Bellamy to do what's best for the Storm's finals aspirations.
Bellamy's considering resting a raft of key players for the final round of the home-and-away season to be fresh for the play-offs.
The Raiders are locked in a three-way battle for eighth spot on the NRL ladder and, given their poor points differential, have to beat the Sydney Roosters at Mackay on Thursday night to have a chance of playing finals.
Cronulla and the Gold Coast Titans are their two rivals for that spot, with the former playing the Storm and the latter up against the New Zealand Warriors.
If the Sharks beat the Storm, then the Raiders need to thrash the Roosters by more than 50 points.
So a strong Storm naturally helps the Canberra cause, but Stuart wasn't expecting any favours.
Melbourne will already be without New Zealand international Jesse Bromwich, who faces a one-game suspension for a crusher tackle on Parramatta forward Isaiah Papali'i.
"It's completely out of my hands, he's got a job to do and that's the situation we're in," Stuart said.
"We've got our own job to do, but unfortunately we've got to rely upon another game too."
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Stuart said he would give winger Bailey Simonsson (groin) every chance to prove his fitness to face the Roosters.
He limped off in the win over the Warriors and faces 1-2 weeks on the sidelines with a slight strain.
But Stuart said he would give the 23-year-old the chance to prove his fitness at training on Monday morning.
Then he'll make a call on who runs out against the Roosters.
"Probably [out for] a week I'd say," Stuart said.
"I'll give him the opportunity to train [Monday] morning, but then I'm going to have to make a decision.
"I'll give him every opportunity to play, but I'll just wait and see where it's at because he strained it and couldn't go on with it.
"I'll give him the opportunity to train with it and if he gets through it he'll be available."
Stuart has options to cover Simonsson if he's ruled out.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad made an impressive return to form against the Warriors after missing most of the season following surgery on his neck.
He came on for Simonsson and played the final 54 minutes, sparking the Green Machine's comeback from 16-0 down.
It was a performance that showed he could be ready to return to the No.1 jersey, which would allow Jordan Rapana to return to the wing.
Fijian flyer Semi Valemei's also back from a larynx injury and was named on an extended bench last week.
"We've certainly got options with a bit of depth in the outside backs," Stuart said.
"That certainly helps us in regards to not having to push or rush Bailey either.
"That's also an option too, to push 'Rapa' back to one of the wings, that's definitely an option going forward."
Meanwhile, the Raiders' hunt for a halfback continued.
They've been linked with every playmaker under the sun, whether off-contract or not.
Newcastle No.7 Mitchell Pearce popped up on the Raiders' radar as a possibility, but there haven't been any discussions around him.
Stuart said it was an ongoing process.
"People keep throwing options out there, but it definitely isn't coming from us," he said.
AT A GLANCE
Thursday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Mackay, 7.50pm.