Storm skipper Cameron Smith suspended for “wishbone” tackle on Kevin Proctor
MELBOURNE Storm will be without Cameron Smith and Sam Kasiano for the crunch clash against Manly Sea Eagles after the club elected not to appeal one-game bans offered to the star duo.
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MELBOURNE Storm will be without superstar Cameron Smith and Sam Kasiano for the crunch clash against Manly Sea Eagles after the club elected not to appeal one-game bans offered to the star duo.
Club officials held lengthy talks at AAMI Park before taking the early pleas on four separate counts of dangerous contact laid on Smith, Kasiano, Josh Addo-Carr and Cameron Munster.
In doing so, the Storm quartet must tread the judiciary tightrope for the rest of the season, with 12-75 carry-over points hanging over their heads.
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Young guns Munster and Addo-Carr are most at risk, holding 75 carry-over points apiece for a clumsy and dangerous tackle on Gold Coast Titan Lee Brenko last Saturday night.
The pair need only commit a minor misdemeanour to face automatic suspension.
Cleanskin Smith’s ban is the captain’s first since he sensationally missed the 2008 grand final.
The NRL games’ record holder faced a possible two-game sanction, upon a failed appeal, for his controversial “wishbone” tackle on Titan Kevin Proctor.
Storm seriously considered appealing one or more of the charges but opted against the added risk of extra weeks had they been unsuccessful.
Smith and Kasiano will be available for the Round 12 blockbuster against North Queensland in Townsville, where it is expected forwards Jesse Bromwich (knee) and Tim Glasby (thumb) should return from injury.
The bans compound the premier’s woes this season, having already battled a spate of injury, form and suspension through the first 10 games.
Despite the setbacks and shoddy ball control Melbourne sits in fourth spot on the ladder.
Storm veteran Will Chambers backed the club’s depth to cover the latest losses.
“We have shown throughout the year that we’re able to cover all positions,” Chambers said.
“I think we’ll be in a good space whoever covers Saturday night.”
Hooker-in-waiting Brandon Smith looks set to step in for namesake Smith, while props Patrick Kaufusi and Tui Kamikamica could fill the Kasiano void on the bench.
Halfback Ryley Jacks pulled up well after a head knock early in the Titans game.
Chambers declared Storm desperate to “click again” after falling back into bad habits the past two weeks.
“We probably showed 40 minutes of good footy (this season), which was against the Warriors, hopefully come Saturday night we can click again,” Chambers said.
Originally published as Storm skipper Cameron Smith suspended for “wishbone” tackle on Kevin Proctor