The Melbourne Storm currently lead the NRL competition by four points, a comfortable margin that has allowed them to adopt a conservative approach regarding player injuries. This strategy sees the club prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term gains as they navigate the mid-season grind.
The club confirmed that both Harry Grant and Nick Meaney will miss this weekend’s clash against the Wests Tigers for different reasons. Grant, who has been carrying “bumps and bruises,” will be rested, while Meaney, recovering from a calf injury, will benefit from an additional week off as Melbourne has a bye next weekend.
Frank Ponissi, the Storm’s general manager of football, explained the decision.
“After discussions with the medical staff and Craig, we felt it best to give Harry another week off as he’s been carrying a lot of bumps and bruises from the season and he’s played a lot of football this year,” Ponissi said. “He’s had two tough Origin matches so given it’s the middle of the year, we thought it was in his best interest to give him a break two games in a row, which will freshen him up for the back end of the season.”
Ponissi also provided an update on Meaney’s status.
“He’s got a calf injury and just pulled up a little bit short this week. Since we’ve got the bye the following week, we just took that extra precaution given it’s a soft tissue injury,” he said. “We just felt it was in his best interest to hold him off another week, so he should be back after the bye.”
Cameron Munster, another key player, will not be rushed back from his groin injury. The club reports that he is making steady progress and could be available for selection as soon as Round 21 against the Parramatta Eels or Round 22 against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
“He’s continuing his rehab at the moment. After the bye he’ll start running, so hopefully one or two weeks after the Roosters game he’ll be available for selection,” Ponissi stated.
However, the news is less favorable for winger Xavier Coates, who is expected to miss six to eight weeks following an injury during Saturday’s win over the Canberra Raiders.
“We’re looking around that 6-8 week mark to be honest which hopefully brings him back about mid-August,” Ponissi said. “It could have been a lot worse as the scans showed it was a low-grade strain but at the same time it’s an injury that he’s suffered before so the medical staff is going to go more on the precaution side with this one. If it’s more than six weeks and actually around that eight weeks, so be it, as it’s important that we’re getting him back 100% for the run into finals.”
Coates’ injury timeline likely means he will miss games from Round 18 to Round 23, including matchups against the Tigers, Roosters, Eels, Dragons, and Rabbitohs. He may return against the Panthers, Dolphins, or Cowboys in the weeks leading up to the finals.
On a positive note, the Storm have confirmed that Jack Howarth is fit to play after failing to finish Saturday’s game against the Raiders, and Ryan Papenhuyzen will also be available provided he completes training without issues.
Adding to the depth, Alec Macdonald and Tepai Moeroa are now back on the field for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup. Meanwhile, outside backs Young Tonumaipea and Marion Seve, as well as young forward Tristan Powell, are all still a few weeks away from returning to action.
With strategic player management, the Storm aim to maintain their lead and ensure key players are fit and ready for the crucial run into the finals.