Storm’s younger players will be given the chance to impress at this weekend’s trial match against Wests Tigers on the Sunshine Coast.
Head Coach Craig Bellamy has called upon the Club’s emerging talent to seize the opportunity and stake their claim for a Round 1 starting spot in a month’s time.
“We’ve got a few spots in our team that are open. There’s some guys that have been pretty good in the pre-season so they’ll get a chance to find themselves a spot and keep it,” Bellamy said.
“It will be a young side but there will certainly be guys who have some first grade experience and some of them are fighting for a spot in Round 1.”
The Club’s New Zealand internationals who went on a playing tour of the UK before Christmas will be rested as will several players who stepped out for the Auckland Nines last weekend.
Cameron Munster will also be absent with a knee injury however the emergence of youngster Curtis Scott has paved the way for a possible surprise at the selection table come Round 1.
“You’d think at the start of pre-season he was probably a bit young for that, he’s only just turned 18 but the way he’s handled the pre-season and the way he’s handled the Nines, the next two weeks are a pretty big two weeks for him,” Bellamy said.
“He is right in the reckoning (for Round 1) to be quite honest, especially with there being a bit of a cloud on Billy and if Munster doesn’t make Round 1. I think Curtis is right there with two or three other blokes putting themselves forward for that spot.
“He’s a tough kid, he competes and he learns pretty quickly as well and has been a good addition for us. At the start of pre-season I didn’t really think of him as perhaps being a starter in Round 1 but he is heading that way.”
Sunshine Coast locals will get the chance to see Storm's playing group up close during an open training session this Friday at 4.30pm at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Fans will then have the opportunity to meet players during a 45-minute signing session after the open training.
