Melbourne Storm’s General Manager of Football, Frank Ponissi has given an update on the Club’s current injury list heading into Round 18.
For the second consecutive week the Club will be without Harry Grant, with the Club Captain rested for the clash against the Tigers amid a busy Origin period.
“After discussions with the medical staff and Craig we felt it best to give Harry another week off as he's been carrying a lot of bumps and bruises from the season and he's played a lot of football this year,” Ponissi said.
“He's had two tough Origin matches so given it’s the middle of the year we thought it was in his best interest to give him a break two games in a row which will freshen him up for the back end of the season.”
Nick Meaney will also sit out a second consecutive clash, with the versatile outside back sidelined with a calf injury.
"He's got a calf injury and just pulled up a little bit short this weel and since we've got the bye the following week we just took that extra precaution given it’s a soft tissue injury.
“We just felt it was in his best interest to hold him off another week so he should be back after the bye.”
Frank Ponissi Injury Report: Round 18
Xavier Coates was unfortunately helped off the field in the win over the Raiders in Round 17, with the star flyer facing 6-8 weeks on the sidelines.
“We're looking around that 6-8 week mark to be honest which hopefully brings him back about mid-August,
"It could have been a lot worse as the scans showed it was a low-grade strain but at the same time it's an injury that he's suffered before so the medical staff is going to go more on the precaution side with this one.
"If it's more than six weeks and actually around that eight weeks, so be it, as it's important that we're getting him back 100% for the run into finals.”
Cameron Munster has continued his rehab from a groin injury, making steady progress as he eyes off a return to the field sometime after the Club’s third and final bye.
“He's continuing his rehab at the moment, after the buy he'll start running so hopefully probably one or two weeks after the Roosters game he'll be available for selection,” Ponissi said.
The Club also received a welcome boost in both Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jack Howarth shaping as starters for the Club after being in some doubt heading into the week.
"Paps has got to get through the training but we're very confident that he will as he trained this morning and will be training tomorrow with the team and again on Friday for a Captain's Run so he's shaping to play on the weekend.
"He’s desperate to play football as he missed so much over the last few years and even this year of late, so he's very keen to get back on the field and he'll be a welcome addition come Saturday night," Ponissi said.
“Jack’s recovered remarkably well as we originally had him out heading into this week but he's recovered well and while he's still got a few boxes to tick before Saturday, the early signs are that he’s every chance of playing.”
Storm’s forward stocks were also bolstered thanks to Tepai Moeroa and Alec MacDonald returning to the field last weekend for the North Sydney Bears and Brisbane Tigers.
“They both played last weekend after both had long spells on the sideline and especially Tepai, he's had a long spell out so he did really well for the North Sydney Bears.
“MacDonald's been named in the 22 and whether he gets put into 17 we'll see how he goes but he also played very well so they’re some welcome additions into our squad.”
Young Tonumaipea (calf), Marion Seve (hamstring) and Tristan Powell (knee) all continue to work away in rehab, with their return to the field still a few weeks away.
