Storm star shrugs off knee issues to play round one

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Storm star shrugs off knee issues to play round one

Melbourne captain Harry Grant has declared fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen good to go for the Storm’s NRL season-opener in a massive boost for last year’s beaten grand finalists.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy told AAP last month Papenhuyzen was “most doubtful” for round one because of ankle and knee issues.

But Melbourne named the star No.1 in their starting squad to host Parramatta at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Papenhuyzen clarified on his podcast this week he had actually only been dealing with a knee complaint, not also an ankle as Bellamy had stated.

“He’s just been training and completed all his training since off the back of that trial (Papenhuyzen missed the practice match against North Queensland),” Grant said on Wednesday.

“We know what ‘Paps’ is like, he’s a resilient *******, and he’s professional with the way he does these things.

“He’ll definitely be ready to go round one.”

The Storm will start as strong favourites to keep Bellamy’s remarkable record alive of never having lost an opening-round NRL match, with the stretch currently at 21 wins.

But Grant is wary of any team coached by former Storm assistant Jason Ryles, who will make his debut in charge of Parramatta.

“I come in with the mindset that they’re going to be – you look at the competition, and it’s so level, it’s so even – but I know Parramatta are going to be really big improvers from last season and be super competitive this year,” Grant said.

“I know what ‘Rylesy’ brings as a person, as a coach, and some of the things that he’ll have in play for them as a team.”

The Storm are hoping for a crowd of more than 20,000 for their stand-alone match on Sunday.

Not only is it the only NRL game on that day, but both AFL games this weekend will take place in Sydney.

“That was one of our (fixture) requests that we put into the NRL to make sure we had a (home) game in round one,” said Storm chief executive Justin Rodski, who announced the club’s new three-year major partnership with RedZed.

“We’re made for Melbourne, we’re really really proud of our heritage here in Melbourne, and we’re really excited about getting a big crowd at AAMI Park.

“It’s really significant and important for us to kick off the season with no AFL in town, and to be fixtured on a Sunday afternoon of the long weekend is perfect.”

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