Orford cleared & Smith to contest
charge

Melbourne Storm halfback Matt Orford has been cleared of serious damage after partially dislocating his left kneecap in Sunday?s loss to the Brisbane Broncos.

Orford left the field four minutes in to the second half of yesterday?s match amid initial fears that the dynamic halfback had re-injured his medial ligament.

However scans today have revealed no further damage to the 25-year-old?s knee and the Storm playmaker could line-up in this Saturday?s clash with the Eels.

?The MRI scan has confirmed that Matt?s medial ligament and ACL are fine so basically now we?ll have to wait and see how he pulls up over the next 48 hours,? Storm physio Matt Natusch said.

?In that time we?ll have a better understanding of his progress and we?ll be able to make a decision on his availability for this week?s match.?

After missing two matches already this year following a medial ligament injury suffered in round five, Orford was obviously relieved to be cleared of further damage today.

?It?s pleasing the have a positive result on the knee and hopefully the injury will settle down this week and I won?t have to miss any matches,? Orford said.

?I?ve missed enough games already this year and we are starting to really find some form together as a team and hopefully it?s just going to get better and better.

?I thought we matched the Broncos for most of the game and I was confident we could have come away with a win, so to lose by 20-points wasn?t a true reflection of the match.?

Meanwhile the Storm has decided to contest the grade one dangerous throw charge levelled at hooker Cameron Smith by the NRL today.