Melbourne Storm to ring changes against Wests Tigers for Friday night NRL clash as State of Origin bites

MELBOURNE Storm are set to lose Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater to State of Origin duties against Wests Tigers.

Billy Slater

A WINGER moved to fullback, a back-rower to hooker and the inclusion of a former centre at halfback could be among the changes forced on Melbourne Storm for Friday night's home clash against Wests Tigers.

Melbourne lose their spine of hooker Cameron Smith, halfback Cooper Cronk and fullback Billy Slater to Queensland's State of Origin camp for the only time this season.

The Tigers will be without NSW hooker Robbie Farah while boasting New Zealand internationals Benji Marshall and Adam Blair, a former Storm enforcer.

Bookmakers think the Storm's back-ups can't beat the Tigers, who are on a six-game winning streak, and the ladder leaders are $3 outsiders.

With Bryan Norrie, Sika Manu and Kevin Proctor unlikely to return from injury, Storm coach Craig Bellamy will reshuffle his line-up and include at least one debutant, Kenny Bromwich.

The younger brother of prop Jesse, Bromwich is a former Storm under-20s captain.

"He's a big chance. Kenny and Mitch Garbutt were close to playing against the Warriors on Sunday too," football manager Frank Ponissi said.

Ponissi said the halfback to partner five-eighth Gareth Widdop was a race in three.

"Last year we had some success playing Rory [Kostjasyn] there, we beat St George Illawarra. We've got Maurice Blair and Luke Kelly, too, who could come in," he said.

"Ryan Hinchcliffe or Rory will go in to hooker, most likely Ryan, and [Matt] Duffie is most likely to play fullback."

A decision on the future of off-contract back-rower Manu could come within days. Manu is believed to be considering lucrative offers from several Sydney clubs.

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