Melbourne Storm prop Jesse Bromwich says the club will enforce a “next man up” mantra, as the NRL league leaders deal with a slew of personnel issues leading into the finals.
Will Chambers has accepted a three-game ban for an ugly tackle on Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne, while trio Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Suliasi Vunivalu and Brandon Smith have all been ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast.
Captain Cam Smith is also “touch and go” according to Bromwich, but the 29-year-old isn’t letting the outs distract the Storm.
“It’s the next man up and that’s the case this week, a few boys drop out and a few boys get an opportunity,” Bromwich said.
“We’ve had injuries throughout the year, a lot of the boys have missed a lot of footy this year and whoever has come in has done a great job so I’ve got full confidence in the boys.”
Winger Josh Addo-Carr also expressed his confidence in the replacements coach Craig Bellamy decides on bringing in.
“I’m very confident in whoever comes in and puts that purple jersey on is going to do the job,” Addo-Carr said.
“We train together through the week, so I’m confident whoever puts that jersey on will do the job.”
Bromwich and Addo-Carr helped the NRL launch their new All-Stars concept today, with the Australian Indigenous All-Stars set to face the New Zealand Maori Kiwis in Melbourne on February 15 next year.
Melbourne faces the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday evening, before closing the regular season against Penrith at AAMI Park on Friday week.