The Storm’s four rested Origin players are in major doubt for Friday night’s blockbuster against the Broncos.
Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Will Chambers missed Saturday’s golden point loss to the Roosters following Origin Two.
Melbourne sit two points clear on the ladder and have lost just three games after 16 Rounds but would be desperate to keep the momentum going with a strong display against the Broncos.
But without their four biggest names, toppling the third-placed Broncos in Brisbane will be a tough ask with all their Origin representatives set to play.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said there were no guarantees Smith and Cronk (precaution), Slater (soreness) and Chambers (concussion) would take the field.
“We’ll have to check on a couple of them during the week,” coach Craig Bellamy said.
“We’ve got a six-day turnaround. A couple of them could be touch and go, but we’d like to think they will line up there.”
A Broncos win could see them leapfrog the Roosters into second place.
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