Melbourne are facing selection headaches at fullback, five-eighth and hooker, with plenty of names putting their hands up following strong performances in a trial win over Newcastle.
Potential suitors Jayden Nikorima and Tyran Wishart both scored a try in a 24-10 win over Newcastle, while Bronson Garlick set one up for departing back-rower Felise Kaufusi.
Melbourne will miss Brandon Smith, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster through suspensions in the first round of the season, while Cooper Johns left the game early after injuring his AC joint.
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“The biggest headache for (coach) Craig Bellamy is who plays five-eighth and who plays dummy half,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League after the game.
“I thought Tyran Wishart showed his hand today. (He) scored a try and was really solid for 60 minutes through the middle third defensively, so I think he’s a lock there.”
The Storm will begin their campaign on March 12 at Commbank Stadium against Wests Tigers.
“But in terms of the five-eighth position, Cooper Johns is injured, Nick Meaney moved there for a little bit, didn’t really have too many nice touches and defensively let that try go through for (Jake) Clifford, so while the majority of the team’s performance was great, it’s still that five-eighth spot that’s going to cause some headaches for the next two weeks.”
There are also still question marks over Ryan Papenhuyzen’s involvement in round one due to injury, so as of right now only Jahrome Hughes’ spot in the spine is locked in.
“It’s a bit of a concern for us,” Bellamy conceded.
“We’re not quite sure what we’re going to do now.”
He did hint that Wishart was likely the man to fill the No.9 shirt.
Munster, who was excellent himself, was full of praise for the former Dragon’s performance afterwards.
“He’s obviously got a bit of talent from his old man but he’s a very nice kid. (He’s) willing to learn and he’s really good at dummy-half and very quick out of there.
“I’m sure you’ll see his name in the papers a fair bit this year.”