LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Melbourne Storm maestro Craig Bellamy is facing a few hurdles as he gears up for the upcoming season opener, with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes dealing with setbacks.
Bellamy, who has never lost a season opener as the head honcho of the Storm, finds his record in jeopardy with two of his key players facing uncertainties.
The Storm will have a depleted backline when they take on the Cowboys, as Papenhuyzen could be sidelined for a few weeks due to his latest injury woes.
The fullback has battled through a series of serious leg injuries in recent times, making his return timeline uncertain.
With the grand final rematch against the Penrith Panthers looming in round three, Bellamy might opt to play it safe and not rush Papenhuyzen back for the second-round bye.
The 27-year-old's injury history is a cause for concern, and Bellamy will need to carefully manage his star player's return.
Papenhuyzen's absence will be keenly felt by Bellamy, who was counting on the talented fullback to put together a consistent run of performances.
However, Hughes, the Storm's standout player from last season, is also facing a race against time to be fit for the opening round due to a troublesome calf.
Despite the setbacks, Bellamy remains optimistic about Hughes' chances of making the first round lineup.
The coach is no stranger to overcoming challenges, but the pre-season disruptions have certainly thrown a spanner in the works.
Hughes' calf issues have plagued him in the past, and the team will need to carefully manage his recovery to ensure he is back to full fitness.
As Bellamy prepares to put his impressive coaching record on the line once again in 2025, he will need all his experience and tactical nous to navigate through these early season obstacles and lead the Storm to victory.