AND FOR CAMERON SMITH’S NEXT NRL MIRACLE ...
MELBOURNE has received a boost with Cameron Smith a “possible” chance to play his 350th game on Sunday.
Smith, 34, had all but been ruled out after he suffered a pectoral tear in the NRL win over Canberra.
But a positive scan coupled with the captain’s “incredible” powers of recovery has forced medical staff and selectors into a rethink.
Storm last night named Smith in the extended 21man squad for Sunday’s blockbuster at AAMI Park, with a final call on Saturday.
“He’s gone from slim and unlikely to possible play – not a probable quite yet,” Storm football director Frank Ponissi said.
“Given the improvement he’s made in the first 48 hours the medical staff have looked at it and said if it continues at this improvement over the next five days (then) he’s a chance of playing.”
Smith will be nursed through the week, ahead of a fitness test on Saturday.
“If he can do a full session (Saturday) and contact, you never know,” Ponissi said.