“It was tough for him last week to miss a game as he doesn’t miss many but the circumstance was one he was really upset with,” Bellamy said.

“Getting that charge. We think he was really hard done by but he though it was the safe way to take that early plea.

“We had different opinions at the club but we backed him all the way. It was fairly harsh and he was genuinely upset he got that charge.”

Bellamy added the Storm met from the match review committee who explained their thinking on the charge.

“They were good enough to come down and explain their side of it so it’s a little bit clearer, but we still think it was a little bit harsh but you just roll with the punches," Bellamy said.

The Storm have vowed not to be distracted as Bellamy ponders his future and they have more immediate concerns around correcting their error count and poor attacking form.

The Cowboys have fallen down the standings this season but will lift for the Storm who beat them in last year’s grand final while Cowboys star half-back Johnathan Thurston could be playing his last game against good mate Smith and the Storm whom he has tormented for many years.

The two sides have already played during pre-season and in the early rounds of this campaign so unless the Cowboys go on a long winning streak it’s unlikely the two will both be in the finals.

Storm duo Dale Finucane and Sam Kasiano could both be playing their 150th NRL games, with Kasiano battling for a place on the bench after being suspended last game. Both made their debuts for Canterbury Bulldogs although in difference seasons.

"Dale is copying me," Kasiano joked this week.

"Dale was the same then as he is now, does everything at 100 miles an hour .

"It's a nice milestone if I get the chance to play and I didn't know I was up to 150 until the club told me – it's all the same to me. I can remember my debut and now, wow, 150.

"To do it with my mate Dale would be even better."

Cowboys forward Matt Scott has battled a knee injury but remains a chance to play after training on Thursday with coach Paul Green stating he believed Scott would play.

The Storm play the Cowboys in Townsville on Friday at 7.55pm.