LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a significant development for the Melbourne Storm, reigning Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes is on track to return from injury just in time for their crucial match against the Broncos. He needs to successfully complete Wednesday's captain's run to be cleared for action on Thursday night, ahead of the team's finals campaign.
Hughes has been sidelined since suffering a severe shoulder injury in round 21 during a match against the Roosters. However, after a solid training session, he is expected to be fit to play against the Broncos.
The Storm recently rested key players, including Xavier Coates and Eli Katoa, in their last game, which saw them struggle in the second half against the Roosters. As a result, they will be nearly at full strength for Thursday's encounter, presenting a challenge for the Broncos, who need a victory to secure fourth place.
"He trained yesterday, so depending on how he pulls up - which we think he will - he'll be on the plane to Brisbane," said Storm general manager of football, Frank Ponissi, in an interview with SEN. "If he can get through captain's run, then he'll be a big chance of playing on Thursday night."
Ponissi indicated that while there might be one or two players rested, the club is aiming for maximum strength: "I think we'll be as close to full strength as we possibly can be. A lot of the players either chose not to have a rest or preferred to do it last week because they felt they'd rather have a game going into the finals rather than having a week off before the finals."