In the aftermath of a gripping NRL grand final rematch, the Melbourne Storm celebrated their victory over the Penrith Panthers, but the delight was overshadowed by significant injuries to key players. On Thursday night, March 20, 2025, three major injuries were reported that will impact the Storm's upcoming games.
Star halfback Jahrome Hughes suffered a broken hand during a head-on collision with Nathan Cleary, which will sideline him for two weeks. Hughes, who played out the remainder of the match despite his injury, expressed the team's resilience post-game.
Center Nick Meaney also faced a tough night, sustaining a facial fracture after an accidental collision with teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona while both were attempting to tackle. He is now set to miss six weeks, leaving a notable void due to his dependable goalkicking abilities and solid performances as a center. Coach Craig Bellamy confirmed, “They’re thinking Nick’s got a broken cheekbone.”
Asofa-Solomona, known for his substantial impact on the field, now enters concussion protocols after failing a head injury assessment. This incident not only affected his health but also shifted team dynamics, as he had previously returned from suspension and was looking to make a strong contribution.
The injuries didn't stop there. Winger Grant Anderson also suffered a knee injury during the match. However, scans indicated no serious damage, giving the team some hope moving forward. Coach Bellamy remarked, “GA, he came off, but he wanted to go back on again, so I’m not quite sure what his situation is.”
In more encouraging news, Ryan Papenhuyzen, the star fullback for the Storm, battled through an ankle injury that he sustained in the latter stages of the match. Bellamy mentioned, “Paps has got a bit of a crook ankle.” Papenhuyzen is expected to take on a crucial role in the next encounter against the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday, March 28.
Despite the injuries, there were standout performances in the game. Tyran Wishart, coming off the bench, struck a crucial late try that helped secure the team’s victory. Bellamy had high praise for Wishart: “You know, just such an important player in our team in that you can say is versatile; he can play any position. I just thought he’d done a tremendous job out there today.”
Bellamy expressed his satisfaction with Asofa-Solomona’s return after suspension, noting that he brought an intimidating presence to the Storm pack, even if he was a bit rusty at times. “I thought he had an impact,” Bellamy stated, while acknowledging that he needed to improve his handling going forward.
With the win against the Panthers, the Storm showed grit and determination. However, the injuries put a damper on the victory, highlighting the physical demands of the league. As they gear up for their next challenge, the Storm will need to strategize around the absences created by injuries to their core players.
Overall, while Melbourne Storm's NRL grand final rematch victory over Penrith was marked by respectable performances, the looming injury concerns will require careful management in their efforts to secure more wins in the coming weeks.
