Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant will both miss the Melbourne Storm’s clash
with the Raiders on Saturday night. Papenhuyzen, after fracturing a bone in the right leg he broke at the end of last
year, returned for the Storm in his team’s blockbuster 30-24 win over the Dolphins last Friday night.
Papenhuyzen was in electric NRL form before his injury in the first nine rounds and he continued his try scoring form
against the Dolphins in the 11th minute. His return was also highlighted by an incredible chase, which nearly resulted in a remarkable saved try.
However, the 26-year-old didn’t train during the week after picking up a heel injury in the victory. While not a major
issue, Papenhuyzen won’t play against the Raiders on Saturday, with the Storm opting to play it safe.
Sua Faalogo will take over as fullback after filling in for Papenhuyzen previously. “He hasn’t done a whole heap
of training from last week, he’s been a bit sore, as he hadn’t played for a while,” Bellamy said about Papenhuyzen ahead of the weekend clash.
He’s got a little bump on his heel but they (Storm medical staff) expected it to be no problem but there has been a bit of a
problem, obviously, it’s not 100 per cent. We didn’t want to stir it up again and it be sore again tomorrow, so we will see
how he is in the morning. At the end of the day, it’ll be his decision on how sore it is.”
Harry Grant and Xavier Coates were on the end of a beatdown on Wednesday as
the Blues won 38-18 at the MCG in State of Origin 2. Grant received a cut to the head during the clash and won’t play against Canberra either.
