NRL: Storm can be Globetrotters of league, says Penrith coach

SYDNEY - The disgraced Melbourne Storm can use their NRL season to become the Harlem Globetrotters of league and revolutionise the way the game is played, says Penrith coach Matt Elliott.

The Storm are facing a pointless season - figuratively and literally - unable to compete for the premiership as part of the huge penalties imposed by the NRL for salary cap breaches.

But Elliott believes Storm coach Craig Bellamy and his star-studded team can produce a positive outcome from their dire situation by emulating basketball's Globetrotters, who showcased brilliant new skills and techniques in exhibition matches that are now commonplace in the NBA.

"Melbourne are in a position to do something special for rugby league as far as what happens on the field," Elliott said on Sunday's Footy Show.

"I draw an analogy to the States where they had 'barnstorming teams' that didn't play in competitions for points and they changed the dynamics of how the game is played.

"The Harlem Globetrotters are one of these teams, they upped the skills and techniques because winning or losing didn't matter to them.

"And with the talent that Melbourne have there ... they can change the way the game is played forever."

Barnstorming teams were prominent in America in the 1920s, travelling to small towns to play exhibition matches.

- AAP