I can think of a few theories why Dean Pay has sent out a reserve grade side.
The first is that he wants to see who in the reserve grade side shines against an almost full strength Panthers side. Those reserve graders who haven't played first grade before wouldn't otherwise get tested in that way against another team, without being debuted in a regular season match.
Admittedly it is a trial, so won't be exactly the same intensity, but it'll be a good test. It'll also help give him an idea of where some of those reserve graders are in the event that they are needed to step up during the regular season.
Second is that he is also playing games, and doesn't want Melbourne to know too far in advance what the Dogs starting side is going to be next week. Bellamy is one of those coaches that prepares a lot for the particular opposition to be played, and the more time he has to know about what the Dogs side is likely to be the better prepared the Storm will be to target perceived weaknesses. Brad Arthur was, after all, at the Panthers v Roosters game filming our trial team in action to try to get info.
