Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant set to miss clash with Canberra
Superstar Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will get the final say on whether he lines up in Saturday’s clash with bogey-side Canberra after he suffered an injury setback.
Bellamy also said one of Queensland pair Harry Grant and Xavier Coates would “definitely play” but one wouldn’t back up from Wednesday night’s bruising MCG loss to NSW, with another match-day decision looming.
Papenhuyzen didn’t train on Friday due to a heel issue that sidelined him through the week, having only made his return from an ankle fracture in last week’s six-point win over the Dolphins in Brisbane.
Bellamy said Papenhuyzen’s decision could turn on how sore he felt on Saturday, with Melbourne looking to keep top spot on the ladder against a Raiders outfit that has won five of the past six encounters at AAMI Park.
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“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 of Papenhuyzen, with boom youngster Sualauvi Faalogo primed to take over the fullback role if he doesn’t play.
Ryan Papenhuyzen returned to action against the Dolphins. Credit: Supplied
“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.”
Storm captain Grant, who could only watch training on Friday, looms as the Maroons star who could miss the game having had his head opened up in a clash during the Origin loss. Coates did take part in the captain’s run.
“I think one will definitely play and one probably won’t, but we’ll work it out tomorrow morning,” Bellamy said.
“Hopefully, they’ll both back up but this stage we just need to check them and go from there.
“They’ve both got a couple of bumps and bruises and obviously Harry’s got that cut on his head.”
Bellamy was conscious of the great record Canberra, who sits 10th, has in Melbourne under coach Ricky Stuart and said they had added some “real dash” to their side.
“They’ve got a great record down here against us – they always seem to aim up and it’s a bit of an ambush,” Bellamy said.
“They’ve got some really good players and Rick’s (coach Ricky Stuart) brought in a couple of young blokes who have added some real dash to their game, so we know it’s going to be a real tough game tomorrow night.”