Pleasure and pain as injuries cruel Storm’s fine comeback
MELBOURNE could be without Brandon Smith for at least a month and skipper Christian Welch long-term after both sustained serious injuries in the Storm’s come-from-behind 26-16 win over Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.
Smith reeled out a tackle on Joe Ofahengaue in the first set of the match on Saturday night, his left arm hanging limply by his side. He disappeared up the tunnel after just three minutes while Welch went the same route just before full-time, escorted off by two trainers amid fears he has done his Achilles.
If so, that could be season over.
The Storm also lost winger George Jennings with what appears to be an ACL injury, capping a disastrous night on the injury front.
A distraught Smith eventually returned to the sideline holding his head in his right hand with his left arm in a sling. He will have scans on Sunday to determine the full extent of his injury and is expected to be out for anywhere between three to six weeks.
The Storm, already without Grant, Cameron Munster and Jesse Bromwich, trailed for most of the night before a Jarome Hughes-inspired comeback killed off the plucky Tigers.
The Storm do have Grant returning from suspension next week but Smith’s absence is a major blow.
The Kiwi international, who will join the Roosters in 2023, was looking to repay coach Craig Bellamy after a tumultuous off-season.
Hughes scored one try and made the break for Xavier Coates, on his 21st birthday, to put his side in front for the first time with a try 13 minutes from time. A late Reimis Smith four-pointer sealed the game.
The Tigers were committed and courageous despite ultimately falling just short of continuing a first-round full of upsets.