Early injuries strike Storm, rope
Cowboys and boil Rabbitohs

Star Melbourne halfback Matt Orford will pay a visit to his local neurologist this morning in order to gain a clearance to play in his club's season-opener against Newcastle on Sunday week.

The Storm has the bittersweet first round bye, giving Orford more time to recover after he was diagnosed with swelling of the brain on Friday. But it's good to know in this day and age that footballer's still have brains?.

Meanwhile, North Queensland coach Graham Murray will allow barnstorming lock Glenn Morrison until tomorrow morning to prove he's recovered from a shoulder injury, so he can give it to Manly when they travel to Townsville for Saturday night's late game.

Elsewhere, South Sydney's high-profile signing Terry Hill will undergo knee surgery tomorrow. This could sideline the veteran Lowes commercialist for up to six weeks of the National Rugby League season.

The 32-year-old Hill went under the knife in December to treat a knee infection but the complaint has resurfaced.

The ensuing fallout has prompted Rabbitohs boss David Tapp has hit-out at critics who claim Hill has only signed for Souths to top up his super. Tapp says every NRL club has long-term injured players on its roster and it's unfair to target Souths because of Hill.