Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is hopeful star Ryan Papenhuyzen will be part of the full-strength line-up he’s going to pick for the final round clash with Brisbane after the star fullback was forced out of Thursday night’s loss in Townsville.
Papenhuyzen, who missed the bulk of the season through injury, captained a team minus 11 first-choice players, but his night ended early with a lower leg cork as Melbourne lost 38-30.
He only lasted 15 minutes and Bellamy wasn’t concerned the injury was a serious one ahead of the final round clash with the Broncos before the minor premiers tackle the finals.
“Not quite sure, but medical staff don’t seem to think it’s too bad,” the coach said of Papenhuyzen’s injury.
“Don’t know whether it’s a cork or he’s done something to that (leg).
“We’ll see when he has a scan how bad it is, but they don’t think it’s too bad.”
Marion Seve (ankle) was another casualty in the first half after his leg was caught in a tackle as he reached out to try to score a try in his first game of the season.
Bellamy staunchly defended his decision to leave so many of his frontliners out of the clash, having declared the five-day turnaround following Storm’s previous win over the Dolphins, and the long journey, with top spot locked up, were all reasons for his decision.
But, conscious of trying to take some winning momentum into the finals, Bellamy said, fitness pending, all of his preferred players would be back for next Thursday’s clash in Brisbane.
Bellamy could become just the second coach in NRL history to record 400 wins with a victory in Brisbane.
Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica are all likely to return.
“The main reason tonight, was a five-day turnaround to lour longest travel trip,” Bellamy said.
“I’d imagine we’d put out what we think will be our strongest side next week.”
