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Melbourne Storm fullback Scott Drinkwater set to miss 3-4 months after scans confirm pec tear
Gilbert Gardiner, Herald Sun
4th March 2019
WINGED Melbourne Storm fullback Scott Drinkwater will be sidelined for 3-4 months after scans yesterday confirmed a torn pectoral muscle.
WINGED Melbourne Storm fullback Scott Drinkwater will be sidelined for 3-4 months after scans yesterday confirmed a torn pectoral muscle.
Drinkwater, who firmed as the replacement for retired icon Billy Slater after a standout preseason, will see a surgeon this week to plot the recovery.
The budding 21-year-old speedster sustained the injury last Saturday night in Mackay while sliding to make a regulation tackle.
Storm football director Frank Ponissi backed Drinkwater to “restart again” following the lengthy rehabilitation ahead.
Drinkwater could be available again for selection towards the end of June, giving the Terrigal junior scope to push a spot in Craig Bellamy’s starting 17.
“He’s had such a fantastic preseason, done all that work, to really put himself in the picture to challenge for the No. 1 jersey,” Ponissi said.
“We’re shattered for him. It’s a big loss for us as well, while we weren’t totally settled in the fullback spot at some stage he was going to feature.”
Versatile back Jahrome Hughes will slot in for next Thursday night’s NRL season-opener against Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park barring any further setbacks.
Hughes debuted for New Zealand last year and had long been touted as Slater’s natural successor prior to Drinkwater’s eye-catching preseason.
The talented playmaker will train fully this week after been nursed back from a tight calf, experienced during the NRL All Star Game, and head knock.
Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who had to bide his time to debut for the Kiwis following injury setbacks early in his career, said Drinkwater will “come back stronger”.
“I really feel for Drinky, he put so much work into the preseason to fill in the boots for Billy,” Asofa-Solomona said.
“Whoever fills in that role, I’m not sure who that will be, but he will do a good job for us.
“I was having a chat to him the other day and he said to me this is his first big setback so I think the person that he is, he’ll come back stronger and take in that experience of a big setback like that and use it to his advantage when he comes back.”
Storm veteran Will Chambers has also resumed training following a slight ankle complaint.