The Storm have been dealt a major blow with superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster ruled out of Sunday night’s clash with the Titans.
The Queensland captain will be given the weekend off, with Harry Grant and Trent Loiero likely to back-up.
Grant made an impressive 51 tackles on Wednesday night and might start Sunday’s clash on the bench, with Tyran Wishart and Trent Toelau in the mix to join the starting side.
The Storm are in a tricky position where they need to win the bulk of their matches to sneak into the top eight, but they have to find a way to rest their Origin stars with Melbourne’s next game against the Roosters just five days later.
“Munster is definitely out,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.
“We’ll check the other two – Trent and Harry – and there are also a couple of others with some minor stuff. We just need to check them and make sure they get through today’s session.
“If they do then they’ll play. If they don’t then we’ll have to make a couple of changes.
“It is tough to have the last game on Sunday and then expect players to back-up five days later.
“I’m not quite sure if that’s in the best interests of any NRL players and teams. It is what it is and that’s the hand we’ve been dealt.”
Mid-season recruit Oryn Keeley is expected to get some minutes this weekend after impressing Bellamy following his move from the Dolphins.
“We signed him up for next year but we were lucky enough that the Dolphins were willing to let him come down for the rest of the year,” he said, with the Storm missing edge forwards Eli Katoa, Shawn Blore and Ativalu Lisati.
“He’s only been here a week, but he’s made a really good impression. He hasn’t sat back and looked to see what we do – he’s got in there and done it.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll add something to the squad.”
The club also confirmed this week that Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri will make the move south in 2027 after he signed a three-year deal.
It’s a handy get for the Storm who will lose Will Warbrick and Nick Meaney next season, with Xerri and Jamayne Isaako locked in to replace them.
“I don’t know Bronson too well. I’ve met him two or three times now, but he comes across as a really good guy,” Bellamy said.
“I know he’s a really good footy player because I’ve watched him playing for the Bulldogs so he’ll be a very welcome addition to the team next year. I’m sure he’ll fit in here really well.”
Originally published as Cameron Munster ruled out of Storm’s must-win match against Titans