Orford Won't Bear Load Alone

Melbourne Storm halfback Matt Orford believes he won?t be left to shoulder the loss of Scott Hill alone as the Storm play host to the Tigers at Olympic Park this week.

As he has done several times already this year Orford is expected to step-up following the shoulder injury to five-eighth Hill during last week?s loss to the Bulldogs.

But the dynamic halfback says the void left by Hill?s departure will be covered by several of the Storm?s ball players and not just left to one person.

?We have other ball players in the side that will no doubt step up and have done in the past,? Orford explained.

?We?ve got Dallas (Johnson) giving us another option on the other side of the ruck and Matt Geyer can work that area as well.

?I?ve played with Matty in the halves a few times now and he knows what to do in attack, so while I?ll be taking on more responsibility the workload will be shared amongst other players as well.?

The makeshift pairing of Orford and Geyer worked well for the Storm earlier in the year but Orford admits he has adopted a different approach with Hill out of the side.

?If he (Hill) isn?t going to be there then I prepare for a game knowing I have to take up a bit more responsibility to give the side some more options in attack,? Orford added.

??Hilly? creates another phase of attack and without him there I suppose it gives me a little bit more leeway to do my thing.

?It just means that I?ll have my hands on the ball a little more than what I would if Scotty was there.?

Wests will be looking to chalk up their first ever win in Melbourne come Saturday night and 25-year-old Orford knows the Tigers will be desperate to overcome this disappointing record.

?Wests Tigers are a side that can really frustrate you, they get up in your face and can make you panic a bit,? Orford said.

?So we need to play a game based on percentages, complete our sets, be patient with the ball and show some composure at crucial stages of the game.?

NSW prop Robbie Kearns will have a fitness test late this afternoon in a bid to overcome a niggling calf injury.

The 31-year-old is confident of backing up against this Tigers this weekend after suffering a corked calf during Wednesday night?s State of Origin game two.