Myles makes grade
AFTER the heartbreak of being axed from Queensland, Nate Myles is set to turn over a new leaf when he makes his Melbourne debut in the NRL on the weekend.
Myles had the curtain brought down on his 32-game State of Origin career when he was dumped from the Maroons side for Game Two before being granted an early released by Manly last month.
He left Sydney’s northern beaches to take up an opportunity with Melbourne and was last weekend made to prove he deserved his spot after being sent to Storm feeder side Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup.
Myles will on Saturday play his first game for the Storm off the bench against Parramatta at AAMI Park.
The 32-year-old’s experience will be a big boost for the Storm who have been hit hard by the Origin player drain with Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, Will Chambers and Tim Glasby all unavailable.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has been forced to turn to a host of rookie players including former Titans junior Jahrome Hughes, halves Ryley Jacks and Brodie Croft, while Slade Griffin will slot in at hooker.
Hard-hitting back-rower Sio Siua Taukeiaho will make a timely return from an ACL injury for the Sydney Roosters’ derby with South Sydney.
The Roosters will start Connor Watson in the halves for NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce while Mitchell Aubusson will slot into the backline for Blake Ferguson.
Tyrone Peachey has been promoted to the Penrith starting backline for injured centre Dean Whare (jaw).
Panthers hooker Mitch Rein will return after missing last week with illness, while James Fisher-Harris has been named on an extended bench after his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Jarrad Kennedy and Darcy Lussick come into the Manly pack to take on the Panthers for Lewis Brown (knee) and Jake Trbojevic (Origin).
Danny Fualalo, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Kerrod Holland all come into the starting side for the injury and Origin-hit Canterbury Bulldogs.