Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk in frame for Storm’s Panthers clash after State of Origin heroics

SKIPPER Cameron Smith and halfback Cooper Cronk are every chance to back up from Origin 1 for Melbourne Storm againt the Panthers.

QLD's Cooper Cronk during game 1 of the 2016 Origin series between the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium, Homebush. Picture: Gregg Porteous

SKIPPER Cameron Smith and halfback Cooper Cronk are every chance to back up for Melbourne Storm after playing in Game 1 of the State of Origin series on Wednesday night.

Second-placed Storm, which boasts an impressive 9-2 win-loss record, will be chasing a sixth consecutive win when it meets Penrith on Saturday night.

It will be Melbourne’s first game at AAMI Park since Anzac Day.

A courageous Cronk performed well in Queensland’s gritty 6-4 win against NSW on after nearly withdrawing.

It took around-the-clock treatment and an ice machine to help the strain on the right ankle he rolled at Maroons training last Friday.

A promising medical report means Cronk is a chance to play.

“I got a report from our medical boys saying that they pulled up well and especially Cooper, who has pulled up surprisingly well,” Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.

“There’s no swelling or after-effects, so from an injury point of view there is nothing stopping him from being ­considered to play on the weekend.”

Cooper Cronk overcame an ankle injury to play for Queensland. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Storm officials will assess Cronk and Smith on Friday.

Smith made a game-high 54 tackles for Queensland on Wednesday night.

“There is nothing wrong with Cameron, but with him it’s purely a fatigue thing,” ­Ponissi said.

“He did an enormous amount of work and he always does, but he probably went ­beyond.

“We’ll see how he and ­Cooper look on Friday and go from there.”

Storm’s outside backs shortage has been an issue all season, although the situation has begun to ease.

Victorian Young Tonumaipea returns from a knee injury this week and he has been named on an extended Storm interchange bench.

Richie Kennar and youngster Curtis Scott are available and utility Ben Hampton is not far away.

Cameron Smith is a big chance to back up from Origin 1. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Storm coach Craig Bellamy now faces a selection dilemma with backs Cheyse Blair, ­Suliasi Vunivalu and Ryan Morgan all performing well.

“We’re not getting too ­carried away with it, but it’s a very pleasing thing,” Ponissi said.

“It is great to have them back and Young was probably our best outside back in the first six weeks.

“He’s going to be putting up his hand for a starting position pretty quickly.”

Originally published as Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk in frame for Storm’s Panthers clash after State of Origin heroics