Former Brisbane and North Sydney playmaker Ben Ikin has defended the Melbourne Storm and their wrestling tactics saying the Storm are simply good at what they do.

‘From a coaching perspective, Craig Bellamy does many things well, but it’s the breaking down of opposition sides where he shines” Ikin wrote for foxsports.com.au.

“And let’s not dance around it; the Storm have become champions at controlling the ruck in defence.

“This has led to the rise of wrestling in the Melbourne game, not something I’m a fan of.

“However, just because I don’t like one component of how the Storm play, doesn’t mean I respect their success any less, nor does it make what they’re doing wrong.

“Unfortunately this is an inconvenient truth for people on the outside.

“Rival coaches would rather position the Storm as evil outliers, tearing away at the fabric of the game, not the professional and hardworking innovators they really are.”