Melbourne have declared Cameron Munster a certain starter for their NRL preliminary final and expect the star playmaker to be able to train on his troublesome knee in a boost for their preparations.
A frustrated Munster limped off Suncorp Stadium late in their qualifying win over Parramatta, tossing his mouthguard in disappointment at re-injuring his knee again.
But the Storm on Monday said not only did they expect Munster to face the winner of Friday night’s Sydney Roosters – Canberra elimination final, but they believed he would be able to take part in training.
“It’s the same knee injury he’s had trouble all year with,” Storm general manager Frank Ponissi told SEN radio.
“He’s just tweaked it and the medical staff are not concerned.
“We expect him definitely to play next Friday week and we expect him to do a full week’s training.”
Ponissi said NSW Origin lock Dale Finucane (calf) and Fijian-born prop Tui Kamikamica (ankle) are unlikely to play again this season unless the Storm reach the NRL grand final on October 25.
The preliminary final will be played at Suncorp Stadium, the Storm making a home there and at Sunshine Coast Stadium after their forced relocation to Queensland due to COVID-19 in Victoria.
While the Storm have enjoyed a stellar run at the Brisbane venue, winning their past eight matches, Ponissi said it didn’t feel much like home on Saturday night.
He said the Melbourne players were shocked by the boos from the pro-Parramatta crowd, while the window of Craig Bellamy’s coaching box was hit with a pie from a fan.
“Everyone says you’ve got a home prelim and it is as much as us living in Queensland at the moment but the crowd on the weekend was definitely pro-Parramatta,” Ponissi said.
“Teams like Parramatta and South Sydney, they’re a bit like your traditional AFL teams like Collingwood and Carlton, who have fans everywhere.
“Our players certainly got a shock when they ran out and heard the boos at what was supposed to be a home final.
“It even made the win more memorable.”
© AAP
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Eels prop Joe Ofahengaue was driven ten metres across the pitch and dumped over the sideline as Melbourne stamped a thumping 48-16 win.
The Eels couldn't even win a surefire Captain's Challenge against the Storm in a horror show.
Did Harry Grant - and Fox League's Michael Ennis - have a point?
Munster was ruled out of the remained of the game with the Channel Nine pundits immediately casting their attention to the upcoming Origin series.
The story of State of Origin so far has been the injuries in the NSW camp, but a scare has gone through the Queensland…
Nicho Hynes is on track to get his first No.7 jersey for NSW with new coach Michael Maguire set to ignore a late push…
