Live NRL Round 13 2016: Steve Mascord's Stupid Saturday - New Zealand Warriors v Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights, Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers

"You always expect that of our Origin players," said coach Craig Bellamy.

"Cooper (Cronk)... I don't think anyone could expect him to back up after what he went through with the ankle. We wanted to make it a medical decision, not Cooper's decision."

Captain Cameron Smith said: "We pride ourselves on backing up and playing for the club. It's pretty important for us that we're available for our club and our team-mates.

"It's an easy option to just rest.

"State of Origin is important ... but it's not something that is going to take away from club football. There might be times in the future or this year when Craig says we are definitely not saying.

"But until he says that, we will play,

"One thing that hasn't been an issue for us this year is attitude and effort during the week. It's the best sort of group we've had in a few years and that's a reflection on how we're playing."

PENRITH coach Anthony Griffin says the only problem with James Segeyaro is that Peter Wallace is in better form.

The PNG star’s fortunes have been in reverse since he was photographed with Junior Paulo and Corey Norman at dinner with underworld figures.

“He wasn’t selected in this team but he’s a contracted player," Griffin said after the 24-6 defeat to Melbourne.

"There’s no issue with anything else aside from the fact that, as I said during the week, we want to go with one hooker and Peter Wallace is the form hooker in our club at the moment. That’s just a selection thing.”

Segayaro pulled out of a NSW Cup game on Saturday during the warm-up due to the aggravation. 

Reflecting on the defeat, Griffin said; "We weren't strong enough for an 80-minute effort. They got out of their half way too easy in the first half."

On Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith backing up, Griffin said: "I knew they'd play. They always do."

Fullback Matt Moylan added: "We got good finishes to our sets but we weren't able to captialise on that."

Stunning passage of play as Vunivalu loses the ball near his own line, Penrith spin it quickly to the right and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is spectacularly prevented from scoring by some desperate cover defence. Was it a shoulder charge by Marika Koroibete? Play-on with a Melbourne scrum win. Melbourne 16-6

PENRITH fullback Matt Moylan questioned referee Matt Cecchin about the penalty count as the Panthers left AAMI Park 10 points down at halftime against Melbourne.

The Panthers scored first via NSW winger Josh Mansour but since then it's been all Storm. "We're really happy with how we;re playing," coach Craig Bellamy told Fox Sports at halftime,

COMMENT: The Panthers are on the improve but on tonight's evidence so far are not in the top echelon of premiership contenders.

Who wore it first? #NRLStormPanthers 👱🏼👱🏼👱🏼 pic.twitter.com/ZJawi1eHu8

— Lauren (@laurenm_02) June 4, 2016

Did Cameron Munster put a foot into touch before Jesse Bromwich scored that try off Cooper Cronk. Bromwich is just too big. No matter, it's given. Cameron Smith is unsuccessful with the goal.Waqa Blake is down injured. Penrith 6-4

21' Waqa Blake leaves the field for a concussion test. Chris Grevsmuhl enters the fray.. #pantherpride #NRLStormPanthers

— Penrith Panthers (@PenrithPanthers) June 4, 2016

NORTH Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston says he wont be rested for a match during the Origin series.

"Not at this stage," he said after the 46-26 win over Newcaste at 1300SMILES Stadium.

"The body feels pretty good. We'll just wait and see how I travel."

One game Thurston is certainly keen on is next week's Monday Night Football appointment with Cronulla at Southern Cross Stadium.

"It's always tough when you come down to their home ground," Thurston said. "They've bashed a few sides up down there. They're full of confidence, you know? Their key players are playing extremely well off the back of Gal (Paul Gallen), Mick Ennis, Wade Graham is going well.

"They've got a big forward pack there that obviously lays the platform for Maloney.

"They try to, I suppose, bash you up but also they play tough, hard, grinding footy. They've obviously added a few players they can attack from now which they probably lacked in the past and they're scoring points."

Coach Paul Green also talked up the Sharks, saying:  "They'll be full of confidence. You saw how they played against the Broncos down there. They probably see us as another scalp next Monday night so I'm sure they'll be pumped up as they can be at Shark Park. 

"We're expecting a pretty tough game but we've got a long turnaround which is good. The boys can get over Origin and tonight."

Discussing the use of second-phase play against the Knights, he said: "It wasn't a particular plan, it's something we've been working on for weeks,.

"It came off tonight and I thought it looked good when we played off the back of them.

"He's got some silky skills, Johnny (Asiata) - that's why he's in the team."

Green refused to be too harsh on his team for a couple of tries they conceded. "We need to be better in these areas. There were some soft tries. Two in particular."

We have kick-off in Melbourne with Nathan Cleary making his debut for Penrith while Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk are playing. Melbourne 0 North Queensland 0

"They won the grand final last year and they won it for a reason," said coach Nathan Brown.

"There will be sides that come up here with big salary caps and more experience than us and Thurston and Tamou and Scott and Taumalolo will do that to them too."

MELBOURNE: Cameron Munster; Suliasi Vunivalu, Cheyse Blair, Ryan Morgan, Marika Koroibete; Blake Green, Cooper Cronk; Dale Finucane, Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor, Jordan McLean, Cameron Smith ©, Jessey Bromwich. Res: Kenny Bromwich, Tim Glasby, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Felise Kaufusi.

PENRITH: Matt Moylan; Josh Mansour, Waqa Blake, Tyrone Peachey, Tyrone Peachey, Dalin Watene-Zelezniak; Nathan Cleary, Jamie Soward; Isaah Yeo, Trent Merrin, Bryce Cartwright, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Peter Wallace, Sam McKendry. Res: Leilani Latu, Suaia Matagi, Jeremy Latimore, Chris Grevsmuhl