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Melbourne lose Addo-Carr, sweat on Munster

3 minute read

Prolific tryscorer Josh Addo-Carr has been ruled out of Melbourne's NRL qualifying final against Manly as uncertainty surrounds Cameron Munster's fitness.

JOSH ADDO-CARR of the Storm.
JOSH ADDO-CARR of the Storm. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Melbourne are sweating on the fitness of Cameron Munster after already ruling Josh Addo-Carr out of their bumper NRL finals clash with Manly.

Addo-Carr was on Tuesday afternoon left out of the Storm's squad for their qualifying final, failing to overcome a hamstring injury in time and leaving Isaac Lumelume on the wing.

Munster was named, but a call will be made later in the week after he spent a night in hospital last week with an infected knee.

"His is to do with how it heals, the stitching so it doesn't reopen and gets reinfected," Melbourne's head of football Frank Ponissi told SEN.

"We will give him basically until the last-possible minute and that may be Thursday."

The Storm five-eighth has already spoken this week on his concern about getting a fitness call wrong, and will err on the side of caution.

He trained on Tuesday but Melbourne do have Nicho Hynes to fill in at No.6 if required, highlighting the Storm's depth.

"The strength of this year's team has been that we can lose one or two players of that type quality and still not be affected," Ponissi said.

"Over the years if we lost a Cameron Smith going into a final or Billy Slater going into the finals it would have a huge impact on the team.

"The same could be said of Manly with Tom Trbojevic, Penrith with Nathan Cleary and Souths with Latrell Mitchell.

"We feel while we've got a host of good players and have two of those players in Munster and Josh Addo-Carr in doubt or out for Friday night."

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has put a broom through his side for their elimination final against Newcastle.

Ryan Matterson has been left on an extended bench on return from a three-week ban for a high shot, while Isaiah Papali'i has also been benched.

Ray Stone will start at hooker as a shock No.9, with Reed Mahoney's regular replacement Joey Lussick out due to a calf strain suffered at training.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard is also back, making for a big match-up in the middle with Daniel Saifiti (knee) and David Klemmer (rib) named to play for the Knights.

Trent Robinson has stuck with Lachlan Lam and Drew Hutchison in the halves for the Sydney Roosters clash with Gold Coast, leaving Sam Walker on the bench.

Walker has started in 17 of 19 games this year, and could well still come into the halves for kick-off with Robinson likely to keep his cards close to his chest.

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