RedZed Report: Round 11

The fortnightly RedZed Report, bringing you updates direct from Storm HQ about our injury list, club news and all things footy.

Injury Update

Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion)

Sidelined since: Round 10

Paps will miss this weekend’s round 11 clash with Canberra after being concussed during Sunday’s victory against St George Illawarra. Storm's medical staff will continue to monitor him.

Ryley Jacks (concussion)

Sidelined since: Round 10

Jacksy was also concussed during Sunday's match. He will be sidelined for an indefinite period.

Tyson Smoothy (knee)

Sidelined since: Round 10

Hooker Tyson Smoothy has had scans on the Sunshine Coast which confirmed a PCL rupture. He will be out of action for an extended period.

Cameron Munster (foot)

Sidelined since: Round 9

Munny will again be unavailable for selection this week. He is expected to return in round 12.

Harry Grant (hamstring)

Sidelined since: Round 9

Harry will again be unavailable for selection this week. He is expected to return in round 12.

Brenko Lee (calf)

Sidelined since: March 2021

Around three weeks away from a possible return.

Max King (achilles)

Sidelined since: January 2021

Max has started running but is progressing slowly following off-season surgery. No expected return date yet.

Round 11 preview

The Raiders ended a five-game losing streak with a two-point win over the Bulldogs last week but they have lost Josh Papalii, Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson to suspension.

After seven straight wins, Melbourne will face Canberra without a number of key playmakers. Will be bolstered by the return of Brandon Smith.

Melbourne's top-rated attack (number 1 for both points and tries) opens up opposing defences at almost double the rate of Canberra. Storm rank number 1 for line breaks with 74, while the Raiders are a distant ninth on 44.

Club news

Coates to join Melbourne Storm

Queensland State of Origin winger Xavier Coates has signed with Melbourne for the 2022 and 2023 NRL seasons.

The 20-year-old, who was first part of the Storm system in the club’s academy programs, is regarded as one of the best young talents in the game and will relocate to Melbourne at the end of the current season.

Giant step forward for rugby league in Victoria

Construction of a $16.9m rugby league hub is underway in Broadmeadows, a development which will benefit grassroots rugby league in Victoria and become the new home for NRL Victoria and Touch Football Victoria.

The development has been made possible due to a $12 million investment by the Victorian Government, with contributions from the NRL, Melbourne Storm and the City of Hume to develop facilities for local club Northern Thunder as part of the project.

Melbourne Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said the facilities would be a "game changer" for rugby league in the state.

"It's a game changer for the thousands of talented young girls and boys who aspire to play our great game across Victoria," Rodski said.

"It will also be a great venue for Storm to train and run community programs in Hume, giving more young people the chance to see their idols in person."