Storm coach Craig Bellamy concedes there’s no clear timeline on Ryan Papenhuyzen return

The ongoing absence of Ryan Papenhuyzen could haunt a Melbourne Storm outfit stinging from the disappointment of their coach following a shock home loss.

Melbourne Storm Craig Bellamy says there haven’t been many “better buys” than star winger Xavier Coates, with his 100th game milestone set to stir the team into action after the disappointment of an embarrassing failure in front of the club’s former players last weekend.

Bellamy was still stinging from last Saturday’s loss to Manly on “Old Boys” night given the importance he had put on significant club events during his 23 years at the helm.

A five-day turnaround between the defeat and Thursday’s clash with the Sydney Roosters demanded he “move on” quickly after what would have been a piercing review.

The coach conceded it would be tough, particularly having to travel, and without star playmaker Cameron Munster, electric fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

But a response looms likely given the tone in Bellamy’s voice on Wednesday that suggested his frustration with the effort against Manly would have reverberated through the playing group.

“That was disappointing for me,” he said of losing in front of the former players.

Ryan Papenhuyzen continues to battle a calf injury. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“Obviously, we don’t like losing any game, we don’t like losing at home, but to have all the old boys down and to actually perform like that ... getting beat in this competition is going to happen at times but just the way we started the game was really disappointing.”

The loss, Storm’s fifth of the season, made winning every game on the road to the finals crucial to lock up a top-four spot.

But while Munster, who is missing the clash with the Roosters to attend his father’s funeral, should be back as soon as next week to help the charge, Papenhuyzen’s recovery from a calf injury is not as clear.

He’s now missed four games.

“When it first was happening it was only going to be a week, so I’m not quite sure,” Bellamy said.

“I don’t understand injuries all that well. I haven’t done any PhD or whatever it is, so we just need to get on with what we’ve got.”

They don’t have Asofa-Solomona, who was suspended for an errant elbow that also cost Storm a penalty last week.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has copped another suspension. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Asked on Wednesday whether there was a “fine balance” between using the big man’s aggression and curbing his outbursts, Bellamy gave a terse response.

“Yeah, it seems to be a fine balance,” he said, without expanding.

Coates will be flying down the wing in his 100th game for the Storm since crossing from the Brisbane Broncos and thriving.

The coach was full of praise for the State of Origin star.

“What he’s put in form wise and what he’s added to the club, not only on the field but off the field, there hasn’t been too many better buys than Xavier,” Bellamy said.

“What he’s done here has been exceptional and really proud of him and really proud he plays his 100th game here and hopefully he’ll play a lot more milestones here.”