Hope for four
“THREE to four” spots in Melbourne Storm’s Round 1 team remain up for grabs as coach Craig Bellamy searches to find the winning formula for the season opener.
Bellamy has spent the past few days weighing up his newlook team as Melbourne prepares for a tough start to the NRL season with three of its first four games away from AAMI Park.
The Melbourne mentor said he will use today’s training session to finalise his line-up for next Monday night’s clash with St George Illawarra.
“For the (team of) 17, there are probably 19 or 20 still in the mix,” Bellamy said on Friday.
“There’s a couple of guys who have put their hand up; there is a centre spot up for grabs, a couple on the bench still up for grabs.
“And probably one of the back-row positions as well.
“So all in all there are probably three or four positions still to be settled.
“We’ll decide straight after that Tuesday session and go from there.”
Skipper Cameron Smith is in the mix to meet the Dragons after training strongly last week. Although he is far from a certainty with the club unwilling to risk the star hooker before his ankle is ready.
Ryan Hinchcliffe is expected to fill in at hooker if Smith does not get up for Round 1.
Forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs pushed his case for a spot in the season opener with a solid performance with Queensland Cup feeder team Sunshine Coast Falcons at the weekend.
Learoyd-Lahrs, on the comeback from minor knee surgery, scored a try and stood out in a 40-minute performance.
Tohu Harris is expected to partner fellow New Zealand international Kevin Proctor in the back-row, while new recruit Dale Finucane is a certainty to play in Round 1.
The battle is on for the departed Sisa Waqa’s wing spot with Young Tonumaipea a chance to get the first crack.