Melbourne coach Bellamy ponders on the suspension of Smith

The defending champions will play the Sydney-based Manly Sea Eagles for the league title on Sunday at the former Olympic stadium without their captain, Cameron Smith.

He was suspended for two matches for a dangerous tackle in Melbourne's semifinal win over Brisbane.

Team fine

Strong criticism of that suspension by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and chief executive Brian Waldron resulted in the team being fined $41,000 by the NRL.

Bellamy even questioned the league judiciary's integrity.

Several members of the judiciary, the committee that decides on player suspensions and fines, didn't take kindly to that suggestion, and said they will sue Bellamy, who has refused to apologise.

Easy path

Melbourne, also without injured Australia test forward Ryan Hoffman, beat Cronulla 28-0 last week while Manly had a similarly easy 32-6 win over the New Zealand Warriors.

Manly has scored 70 points and conceded only 12 in its two playoff wins over St. George Illawarra and the Warriors.

Matt Orford batters his way through the defence

Orford criticism

League player of the year, Manly captain Matt Orford, has battled ankle problems this week after a hit by the Warriors' Ruben Wiki.

He also had to deflect criticism that he comes up short in big games.

"Why is all pressure on me?

"Everyone's saying it's career-defining ... I can't see how it can be career-defining for myself," Orford said.

"Melbourne's got a lot more pressure than what I do.

"I'm definitely not going to hang my boots up if I don't have one of my best games," he continued.

Manly favourites

Despite Melbourne's sustained success, Manly are favourites in betting.

"Manly certainly deserve to be favourites, their form in their two semifinals has been really good," Bellamy said.

"We've sort of gone through a bit of a tough run to get there."

Steve Menzies greets the fans

Menzies swansong

Veteran centre Steve Menzies will play his record-equaling 349th and final game for the Sea Eagles on Sunday.

"It'll either be a dream or the other thing called a nightmare," said Menzies, who played 15 tests and scored 10 tries for Australia, the last in 2006.

Due to salary cap restraints, Menzies wasn't offered a contract to play for Manly next year.

In July, he signed a one-year deal for 2009 with the Bradford Bulls in England's Super League.

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