It wasn't quite "adapt or die" but Craig Bellamy's early-season message to his Melbourne players was just as blunt about the absence of Cameron Smith. Halfback Jahrome Hughes said that after a faltering start to the year to open their premiership defence, the coach gave his Storm troops a few home truths about life after the retirement of their long-time captain. "It was different at the beginning of the year, just not having him around in the team or around the club," Hughes told. "There was a bit of talk early that we were missing him and Craig gave us a bit of a spray about relying on him when he wasn't there. "I think we've done a great job since then not relying on him and we've got used to it now and we've got to be able to do that in the finals." "Even though we've learned a lot off him over the years we still do play different," Grant told. "We kind of had to change the way the squad plays a little bit to suit myself and Brandon because it's a massive change for the side and not only on the footy field but off field as well. "There's probably no one more to honour than Cam Smith but Bellsa (Bellamy) has been great in terms of just letting me and Brandon try and play the way we play and not be Cameron Smith but bring our own game to the team." "There's a lot of people - not only me and Brandon - but a lot of the leaders and the coaches that stepped up to assist in filling that gap," Grant said.
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