Matabele
Journey Man
Melbourne's bid for back-to-back minor premierships suffered a double blow with key backs Matt King and Steve Turner set to miss the NRL club's run home to the finals through injury.
The return of Storm "lucky charm" Michael Crocker to the Melbourne line-up had the opposite effect with NSW centre King expected to miss at least two weeks with a wrist injury and winger Turner likely out for the season with ligament damage to his right knee.
Crocker, who has yet to taste defeat in his 17 games for the Storm, was named on an extended bench for Friday's blockbuster clash with the third-placed Eels.
He returns after nearly four months on the sidelines following shoulder surgery.
But that news was soured by the loss of both King and Turner, leaving the league leaders without two of their strike weapons as they try to fend off the challenge of Manly for the minor premiership over the final three rounds.
King suffered a fractured scaphoid bone in his right wrist during the first-half of Sunday's win against Brisbane and underwent surgery on Tuesday to have a screw inserted.
"We expect he will improve rapidly and at this stage should be back for the Titans game in Round 25," said Storm physiotherapist Mary Toomey.
"Steve is ... having an arthroscope to assess and treat a lateral cartilage tear and a posterior cruciate tear in his right knee.
"Best case scenario is four to six weeks, but it's likely he won't be available for the remainder of the season."
The Eels will be at near full strength for the clash at Olympic Park with Kangaroo backrower Nathan Hindmarsh set to return from a toe injury.
After missing a month with Achilles and knee injuries, Newcastle skipper Danny Buderus was named to make his return against Penrith on Sunday in the battle between the competition's two bottom sides.
Wooden spoon favourites the Panthers, who must win to stand any chance of avoiding the dreaded piece of cutlery, named Luke Lewis at five-eighth.
As expected, Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce was named to make his return after missing the past five weeks with a serious back injury.
The teenager was selected at No.7, with Craig Wing shifting to hooker for the suspended Heath L'Estrange - who pleaded guilty to a dangerous throw on Wests Tigers Robbie Farah, copping a one-week ban.
Inspirational Canberra captain Alan Tongue was selected to play the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, but will still have to be passed fit after missing last week with a nose injury.
Terry Campese has also been recalled at five-eighth for the Raiders, with Michael Dobson dropped.
The return of Storm "lucky charm" Michael Crocker to the Melbourne line-up had the opposite effect with NSW centre King expected to miss at least two weeks with a wrist injury and winger Turner likely out for the season with ligament damage to his right knee.
Crocker, who has yet to taste defeat in his 17 games for the Storm, was named on an extended bench for Friday's blockbuster clash with the third-placed Eels.
He returns after nearly four months on the sidelines following shoulder surgery.
But that news was soured by the loss of both King and Turner, leaving the league leaders without two of their strike weapons as they try to fend off the challenge of Manly for the minor premiership over the final three rounds.
King suffered a fractured scaphoid bone in his right wrist during the first-half of Sunday's win against Brisbane and underwent surgery on Tuesday to have a screw inserted.
"We expect he will improve rapidly and at this stage should be back for the Titans game in Round 25," said Storm physiotherapist Mary Toomey.
"Steve is ... having an arthroscope to assess and treat a lateral cartilage tear and a posterior cruciate tear in his right knee.
"Best case scenario is four to six weeks, but it's likely he won't be available for the remainder of the season."
The Eels will be at near full strength for the clash at Olympic Park with Kangaroo backrower Nathan Hindmarsh set to return from a toe injury.
After missing a month with Achilles and knee injuries, Newcastle skipper Danny Buderus was named to make his return against Penrith on Sunday in the battle between the competition's two bottom sides.
Wooden spoon favourites the Panthers, who must win to stand any chance of avoiding the dreaded piece of cutlery, named Luke Lewis at five-eighth.
As expected, Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce was named to make his return after missing the past five weeks with a serious back injury.
The teenager was selected at No.7, with Craig Wing shifting to hooker for the suspended Heath L'Estrange - who pleaded guilty to a dangerous throw on Wests Tigers Robbie Farah, copping a one-week ban.
Inspirational Canberra captain Alan Tongue was selected to play the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, but will still have to be passed fit after missing last week with a nose injury.
Terry Campese has also been recalled at five-eighth for the Raiders, with Michael Dobson dropped.
