Chan Trying To Get Rid Of Monkey

Auckland-born prop Alex Chan is hoping that his wretched run of injuries will stop after making an off-season move to the NRL's southern outpost, Melbourne.

The former Parramatta front-rower managed to play only 26 games in three seasons with the Eels, thanks to suffering three broken arms in two years.

"This is a new start for me for sure. I'm feeling like a rookie again coming into a bunch of new guys," said Chan, who made his NRL debut for the Northern Eagles against the Warriors in 2000.

"It's also a new experience for me with a lot of different systems under way that are very foreign to me, but it's all really exciting," Chan said after the Storm resumed training this week.

"Hopefully, I've seen the back of that run of injury. At the moment the body is feeling really good and a lot further on than I thought it would.

"I'm excited by what's happening already and really looking forward to what's coming."

Chan, who has only 29 career first-grade appearances, is'nt the only Melbourne player hoping for less time in the casualty ward or club treatment room.

Stalwarts Scott Hill (shoulder), Robbie Ross (knee) and Rodney Howe (back) managed just15 games between them last season.

Melbourne finished sixth on the competition ladder this year under the captaincy of Kiwi veteran Stephen Kearney.

He finished the season out , but needed groin surgery, ruling him out of last month's test defeat of the Kangaroos at North Harbour Stadium.