LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Nick Meaney, the talented fullback for the Melbourne Storm, has been dealt a brutal blow in his development amid the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen to NRL action.
Papenhuyzen recently made his comeback after a year on the sidelines due to a fractured kneecap.
With three games under his belt in the Queensland Cup, Papenhuyzen is on the cusp of making his return to the NRL.
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has been tight-lipped about when exactly Papenhuyzen will be deployed in first grade, but he has hinted that it could be before the finals in three weeks' time.
This uncertainty has left Meaney in a precarious position, as Bellamy has flagged the possibility of moving him to the bench once Papenhuyzen is ready.
Meaney has been outstanding in the absence of Papenhuyzen, and it would be understandable for him to feel hard done by if he loses his spot.
However, Meaney has revealed that Bellamy has discussed the potential switch to the bench with him.
With no other injuries in the backline, there is no clear place for Meaney in the starting line-up once Papenhuyzen returns.
Bellamy's message to Meaney has been to continue playing his best footy and to focus on improving each week.
Meaney acknowledges that when he joined the Storm, he knew that Papenhuyzen was the first-choice fullback.
Despite this, Meaney is committed to doing his best for the team, regardless of where he is positioned on the field.
The competition for spots in the NRL can be ruthless, and Meaney's situation is a prime example of that.
As Papenhuyzen prepares to make his long-awaited return, Meaney finds himself at a crossroads.
It remains to be seen how Bellamy will ultimately utilize his talented fullbacks, but Meaney's commitment to the team is unwavering.