Hill & Ross Named For Panthers
Clash

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named five-eighth Scott Hill and fullback Robbie Ross for the Storm?s first home game of the year against Penrith this Saturday at Olympic Park (5.30pm).

Hill suffered an injury to his left shoulder in the Storm?s win over the Sharks last Sunday but initial fears of long term injury were quashed yesterday after scans revealed there is no structural damage to the shoulder.

?My first impressions of the pain I was getting was worse than when I had my other shoulder reconstructed so my initial thoughts were that it was reconstruction time again,? Hill explained.

?But after the MRI scan and seeing the surgeon yesterday he put a big smile on my face and virtually said that if I work hard this week and the swelling goes down then I?d most likely be right for the weekend.

?It?s a big turn around from what I first thought and if I do everything right there shouldn?t be too many problems.?

Ross was a late omission from Sunday?s season opener after straining his hip flexor at training last Wednesday but has since made strong progress and is hopeful of lining up against the Panthers.

?After the disappointment of last week things have come along really well and provided I have a steady few days this week I should be looking good for Saturday,? Ross said.

?Obviously I want to be available for the first home game of the year as we?re expecting a big crowd and looking to keep the momentum going from last week.?

Marcus Bai is expected to play after straining his hamstring last Sunday and Rodney Howe will take his place up forward after suffering a mild concussion in the first half of last weekend?s match.

Melbourne retains a bench brimming with prime movers ? with a combined weight of 410kg it?s possibly the biggest bench in the league.

Young guns Billy Slater and Dallas Johnson have again been named in the Storm?s run-on side after impressive debuts last week at Toyota Park. Slater in particular was outstanding, igniting a Storm revival with a magnificent solo try late in the first half.

THE MELBOURNE STORM TEAM TO PLAY PENRITH, THIS SATURDAY AT OLYMPIC PARK, 5.30PM

1. Robbie Ross 2. Matt Geyer 3. Billy Slater 4. Steven Bell 5. Marcus Bai 6. Scott Hill 7. Matt Orford 8. Robbie Kearns 9. Cameron Smith 10. Rodney Howe 11. Peter Robinson 12. Stephen Kearney (c) 13. Dallas Johnson

14. Danny Williams 15. David Kidwell 16. Kirk Reynoldson 17. Mitchell Sargent

STORM?S TRAINING TIMES THIS WEEK:

Tuesday: 2pm ? Gosch?s Paddock Wednesday: 2pm ? Gosch?s Paddock Friday: 5pm ? Olympic Park For further information contact

James Avery: Phone (03) 9421 3222 Mobile: 0411 623 024 javery@melbournestorm.com.au