’Huge boost for the team’: Cameron Munster in line to make NRL return next week for the Storm

The Storm could receive a huge boost with superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster set to face the Broncos as long as he gets through the next week of training unscathed.

The representative playmaker has missed Melbourne’s opening three games due to a groin injury he suffered after he slipped in the bathroom in Fiji in the pre-season.

There were fears the injury had the potential to keep him out for even longer, but Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi revealed that Munster was a strong chance of returning for the game against the Broncos next Thursday night.

“Munster is now returning to full training this week, which is great news,” he said, with Munster set to have more time to train and rehab this week given the Storm has the bye.

“If he can train for the rest of this week and early next week given it’s a Thursday night game, then he too will be back for the Broncos game which would be a huge boost for the team.”

Towering prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona is also in the mix to make his 2024 NRL return after he got through 48 minutes for the Bears in reserve grade last week.

The giant forward missed the start of the season with a hamstring issue and the club might opt to keep him in reserve grade just to build up his match fitness.

“He had two stints on Sunday for the Bears, playing 48 minutes in total, which we’re really pleased about,” Ponissi said.

“It was difficult for NAS because he didn’t even train with the Bears. He just turned up and met his new teammates on Sunday at the stadium.

“He did well under the circumstances just to get 48 minutes out of his first run of the season, so it’ll hold him in good stead for the next few weeks.”

The Storm will welcome back former skipper Christian Welch next week after he missed the loss to Newcastle due to a head knock suffered in round 2, while Reimis Smith and Joe Chan are both tracking well to face Brisbane at AAMI Park.

“Reimis copped a nasty whack to the ribs midway through the first half (against the Knights),” Ponissi said.

“He wasn’t able to come back, but the medical staff are happy that he’ll be rehabbing this week and available for selection next week.

“Joe was unlucky. Against the Warriors he accidentally got stood on his hand which became infected and required surgery just to clean out any possible infection.

“He’s still in rehab this week and we’re hoping that he’ll be available next week against the Broncos.”

The news isn’t so good for Sua Fa’alogo, who hurt his ankle in NSW Cup a couple of weeks ago that cost the Samoan speedster the chance to play against Newcastle.

“Sua is probably unlikely to play against the Broncos, which is unfortunate,” Ponissi said.

“He would have played last week against the Knights, but the ankle injury that he sustained for the Bears the week before may keep him out for after the Broncos.”