Melbourne Storm’s General Manager – Football, Frank Ponissi, has given an update on the Club’s injured players ahead of their Round 3 clash against the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
Cameron Munster is set to miss one more round ahead of Storm’s upcoming Round 4 bye in preparation to potentially return to full flight when the Melbourne squad light up AAMI Park again in April.
“He's getting closer. With the bye next weekend, we're very hopeful that he'll be back for the Broncos game Thursday fortnight.” Ponissi said
After another week on the sidelines, Nelson Asofa-Solomona is once again eyeing a return to the playing field. A hamstring injury has kept him off the field for the past few weeks, but since returning to full training, Asofa-Solomona will aim to run out with the Club’s Hostplus Cup feeder team, the Sunshine Coast Falcons over the weekend.
“[Nelson’s] looking very close to playing again and getting some minutes under his belt with one of our feeder teams so hopefully we'll get a few of those back after the break.”
New additions to the injury list include fullback Sua Fa’alogo and forward Christian Welch.
Fa’alogo made an exciting return to footy at the beginning of the season through Storm feeder club the Northern Sydney Bears, picking up a hat-trick last week. Unfortunately, the Northern Thunder junior also picked up an ankle injury late in the game.
“He’s been phenomenal...Craig was going to put him on the bench this weekend,” Ponissi shared.
“We're hoping he will also be back for the Broncos game, will be touch and go, but definitely the game after that if he's not available.”
Welch will miss Round 3 following a failed HIA assessment conducted after he suffered a head-knock in the first half of Round 2. Under the NRL protocols, he must stand down from playing for 11 days.
“Which is a shame because she started the season on fire...he has a really good break before the Broncos and he’ll be a valuable addition.”
Bronson Garlick also looks on track to be up for selection ahead of Round 5, while Ammaron ‘AJ’ Gudgeon continues rehabilitating his shoulder, potentially returning to full training by the end of the month.
Frank Ponissi Injury Report: Round 3
