After a tough pre-season Ryan Hinchcliffe says he and his Storm teammates are eager to get out on the park and play in the club’s first trial with Round 1 rapidly approaching.
Melbourne will open their official 2014 preparations on Saturday 8 February with the club’s opening trial match of the year against Canberra.
“Its very exciting, we have had a very tough pre-season,” Hinchcliffe said.
“We are just looking forward to getting out on the field now and doing what we do.
“We have looked at a couple of things from last year. Everyone has spoken about our consistency; I think that has taken a step forward from previous years.”
Storm will face Canberra for the fourth consecutive year in a trial match with the hit out the first ever Storm pre-season game to be held in Melbourne at AAMI Park.
“We played them in a trial down at Geelong last year and they played really really well,” Hinchcliffe said.
“No doubt that they’re very fit at the moment and looking forward to coming down here and playing.
“It’s the same for us, I know we have had a very hard pre-season and I know that everyone is looking forward to playing some games next week.”
Plenty of Melbourne’s 2014 recruits are in line to pull on the Storm jersey in the trial with fans getting the opportunity to see some new faces for the first time.
“Craig hasn’t named a squad for who will be playing in that Canberra game but I imagine all the new guys will be having a run around so that will be really good to see them out in a Melbourne Storm jersey,” Hinchcliffe said.
“I’m sure all the fans are looking forward to seeing that.”
For more pictures from Friday morning's training session, click here.
