Storm bring in forward support

With Storm front-rower Robbie Kearns away on State of Origin duty this week, coach Craig Bellamy has brought former Canberra and Bulldogs prop Nathan Sologinkin down from Brisbane Norths to bolster Melbourne?s forward pack.

The 184cm/103kg Sologinkin is set to line-up for his first match in Storm colours in this Sunday?s clash against Souths at Aussie Stadium.

25-year-old Sologinkin has 26 first grade appearances to his name and arrives in Melbourne after a chequered career that has seen him also play at the now defunct South Queensland Crushers.

The league journeyman admits to having a tough time of it in recent years.

?I?ve sort of had a bit of a rocky road,? Sologinkin acknowledged.

?I played with the Canberra Raiders and then the Bulldogs in the last three years and I then had a knee reconstruction in 2001 and missed a year.?

Sologinkin joins the Storm from feeder club Norths where he is captain of the ninth placed Devils and says he is looking forward to tackling the Rabbitoh?s forwards this weekend.

?Any sort of pack you come up against - especially when they are losing - is always going to be a tough pack to crack, but I think once we grind them down a bit hopefully we?ll get over the top of them,? Sologinkin added.

As a former Raider during the late nineties Sologinkin is familiar with Bellamy?s style of coaching.

?I?ve had a bit to do with him (Bellamy) when he was at Canberra so I sort of know his style,? Sologinkin said.

?From what I?ve seen he?s been really good.?

Sologinkin may be used off the bench in Sunday?s game but is ultimately happy to be resurfacing at the top level after several years away from first grade.

?I may not have played NRL for a while but I?ll just get out there on Sunday and do my job to help the team win.?

For further information contact

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