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Picture this: it is Round 26 and the Melbourne Storm are heading into their final round match. They are sitting in fourth place however with a loss could fall into fifth place going into the finals.
After a blistering start to the season the Storm have struggled form wise since their first loss of the season in Round 8 against the Raiders.
Consecutive losses in Round 10 and 11 against Manly and the Roosters respectively, a Round 15 loss away at the Gold Coast and losses in Round 18 against the Bulldogs and Round 20 against the Warriors punctuate an extremely unhappy post-Origin season for the storm.
Aside from the loss of its stars, the Storm has struggled with its depth with some injuries to members of the full time squad.
Gareth Widdop has struggled to lead the team in the absence of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
Brett Finch has covered at halfback however is not quite up to first grade standard.
With all the top guns back for the huge Round 22 clash at home against Souths it was anticipated that the Storm would return to form and rise to the occasion.
The Rabbitohs, who have continued to build all season, had other plans and dominated to win by 14 points.
In this match the Storm forwards were overwhelmed by a relentless Souths pack and the energetic Isaac Luke at hooker. The Storm were courageous however fell behind early and could not turn the tide.
The forwards looked tired, the superstars kept trying but the plays just didn’t come off.
Two wins follow this match however come undone once again in Round 25 against an in form, fast finishing Knights.
Crazy? Delusional?
Maybe, however the above scenario is not implausible. Without the superstars at Origin time the back up plan is makeshift at best.
Hinchcliffe at hooker is a great back up however Widdop is unproven as a playmaker.
Who can provide effective cover for Slater at fullback?
Finch at halfback is a Hail Mary selection.
Okay, so the big three will all come back after Origin. What condition will they be in is anyone’s guess.
Already this season Slater and Cronk have been carrying niggling injuries and have been in doubt at different stages.
Depth? Any injuries to first grade forwards or outside backs will be difficult to cover.
An injury to any of the big three would be catastrophic, Smith, Cronk and Slater work together like a timepiece.
Smith will always perform however if they lose Cronk’s kicking game or the threat of Slater at the back their attack starts to look decidedly one dimensional.
Time will tell however its vey hard to see Melbourne maintaining the high standards they have set.
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