Storm troopers back for Roosters blockbuster

A depleted Melbourne Storm will welcome back Dale Finucane and Ryan Papenhuyzen for its Thursday night blockbuster against Sydney Roosters at the SCG.

Dale Finucane, centre, will lead the charge for Melbourne Storm against Sydney Roosters Picture: Getty Images

A depleted Melbourne Storm will welcome back Dale Finucane and Ryan Papenhuyzen for its Thursday night blockbuster against Sydney Roosters at the SCG.

Finucane has brushed off a troublesome neck issue, while sitting out last week has allowed ­Papenhuyzen to freshen up for a marquee clash with Roosters and NSW Origin fullback James Tedesco.

But Cameron Smith (shoulder) remains at least another week away, with the Storm not prepared to take any risks on the captain’s health.

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Storm director of football Frank Ponissi said Smith would be reassessed again next week.

“Cameron might be a slight chance,” Ponissi said. Smith injured the AC shoulder joint while scoring a try against the Knights a fortnight ago.

Cameron Munster (knee) is the other main player out, with the playmaker resigned to spending at least the next two to three weeks on the sidelines.

Reliable playmaker Ryley Jacks has been named at five-eighth, replacing Munster, with Jahrome Hughes at halfback.

Storm has named Cooper Johns on the extended bench but it is unlikely the untried halfback would be blooded against the back-to-back premiers.

Queensland Origin bolter Tino Fa’Asuamaleaui, who started in place of Finucane last week, and Nicho Hynes move to the bench. Utility Tom Eisenhuth, who has cemented the right centre role alongside strike winger Suliasi Vunivalu, played off the bench last month when Storm upstaged the Roosters in extra-time.

“It was an unreal experience that game,” Eisenhuth said.

“To be on the side for a win like that, you don’t get too many opportunities to do that, to be able to contribute to that was unreal. Probably expecting a similar kind of game to that again this week. They’re a great team and always get up for a games against us, so it should be another close game.”

Eisenhuth, who has endured a wretched run of injury, opened up this week about his new contract extension, through to the end of 2022.

“I haven’t had the smoothest of runs since getting to the club, having a few injuries and that,” Eisenhuth said. “It means a lot (Storm) putting their faith in me and signing me for another two years. Hopefully I can repay that the rest of this year and the next few years.”

Eisenhuth debuted at Penrith in 2012 but a spate of injuries had the backrower in the NRL wilderness for seven years before Storm swooped in 2019. On debut last year for Storm, the Blue Mountains junior sustained a life-threatening fractured larynx.

After being rushed into a winning Roosters starting side last week, Lachlan Lam has been retained at halfback.

Lam made his NRL halfback debut last week against St George Illawarra and did enough to earn selection in just his third starting game.

Lam has agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Herald Sun