Melbourne Storm could rest star back Cameron Munster but they won’t make wholesale changes for the final round.
Munster scored the match-winning try in the Storm’s 10-8 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night, but he suffered a cork above his knee which needed treatment before he played out the game.
Storming ahead: Cameron Munster in action against the Titans.
The 23-year-old star also hurt his elbow during the game but managed to lead his side to a win which has all but locked in a top-two finish.
The Storm face a desperate Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on Friday with have the chance to secure first place if they win.
But with a two-point lead and sizeable points difference, Melbourne could lose and still finish on top depending on how Sydney Roosters fare as they start the final round 32 points behind in points.
The Panthers will be fighting for a home elimination final and could still fall to seventh or eighth after losing their past three games.
Storm football director Frank Ponissi said Munster wouldn’t be risked.
“If he needs to be rested we will rest him, but we will see how he goes in the next few days before we make a decision,” Ponissi said.
“The medical staff expect he will be available to play so it’s a matter of whether the club decides to give him the week off, but he is always pretty keen to play.”
After resting their stars in the final round of 2011, the Storm lost out in the preliminary finals so have have only made limited changes ever since.
“2011 was the year we rested a heap of players and the Roosters did a job on us in the final round and it stunted our momentum heading into the finals, so that is going to dictate what we do,” Ponissi said.
“There won’t be mass changes, if anyone is rested it will only be the odd player as momentum is important.”
Utility back Jahrome Hughes will come under eye of selectors as both Hughes and Brodie Croft are competing for the starting halfback role in the finals.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said post game on Saturday he hadn’t made up his mind on who will play halfback through the finals.
Bellamy added Hughes, who had battled a knee problem, could have played against the Titans but was better served sitting out another week.
"We'll have a look at tonight's game and have a discussion with a couple of senior players and make a decision from there,” Bellamy said.
“It's not an easy one but we will do what we think is best for the team.
"The amount of footy those guys have played is not a lot, especially for that position.
"There will be a little bit of who we think is going the best but it will have a bit to do with the opposition as well on what decision we make.
"You'd like to go into next week and go through with the one half but if we think it's better going for one and even if he plays well go for another the week after depending on who we play – we will.”
If Munster doesn’t play Hughes could fill his role at five-eighth as could Ryley Jacks.
Bellamy offered a playful response when asked if he was concerned when Munster went down clutching his knee.
"I was about to ring the hospital to get the operating theatre ready the way he was going on," Bellamy joked.
"He is obviously a very important player for our team so the heart went into the mouth but he is a tough rooster and if he did come off I knew then it would be serious."
The Storm play Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on Friday at 7.50pm.
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