RedZed Report: Round 22
The fortnightly RedZed Report, bringing you updates direct from Storm HQ about our injury list, club news and all things footy.
Injury Update
General Manager - Football Frank Ponissi has the latest on our injury list ahead of round 22.
George Jennings (PCL)
Sidelined since: Round 18
"George is touch and go for this week," Ponissi said.
"If he's not available for round 22, he will definitely be up for selection next week."
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring)
Sidelined since: Round 20
Big Nels has been selected in the extended squad this week.
Tui Kamikamica (calf)
Sidelined since: Round 20
"We expect Tui will be back in two weeks to face Parra."
Aaron Pene (achilles)
Sidelined since: Round 20
Pene is now available for selection.
Max King (achilles)
Sidelined since: January 2021
It's not good news for Max. He's been on this list for a long time and isn't expected to play again this season.
Brenko Lee (calf)
Sidelined since: March 2021
No return date in sight for Brenko either unfortunately. He will be on the sidelines indefinitely according to Frank.
Ryley Jacks (ankle)
Sidelined since: Round 14
Jacksy is fit and "ready to return into the bubble."
Round 22 preview
The Raiders have three wins from their past four games, while Melbourne are perched on the top of the ladder after 17 consecutive victories.
The Raiders enjoyed three wins in a row over the Storm, knocking them out of the 2019 finals race. But Storm returned the favour when they beat Canberra in last year's preliminary final.
Along with a 34-10 win at GIO Stadium in May this year, that's now three defeats in a row for the Green Machine up against the men in purple.
Seb Kris (head knock) and Bailey Simonsson (toe) are both due to return in a boost for the Raiders as they face a monumental test, while the ladder leaders welcome back Felise Kaufusi from suspension and Nelson Asofa-Solomona from a hamstring injury.
Club news
Kaufusi extends Storm contract
Felise Kaufusi will stay at the club for an eighth season after extending his contract until the end of 2022.
Now 29, the Queenslander made his debut in round one of 2015 and has played 20-plus NRL matches in each of his last five seasons on top of 12 State of Origin matches for the Maroons, four Tests for Australia and three for Tonga.
Papenhuyzen locks in new deal with Storm
Ryan Papenhuyzen has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him in the purple jersey until the end of the 2025 season.
The 23-year-old has made the Storm No.1 jersey his own after his breakthrough season in 2019.
He played 22 games in his rookie season, including three finals, and was then a major part of Storm’s premiership-winning team in 2020, highlighted by his man-of-the-match performance in the grand final defeat of the Panthers.
While everyone sees how well he performs on the field each week, what they don’t see is how much work he puts into all facets of his game. He’s an example of a hard and diligent worker who is making the most of his talent.
Frank Ponissi on Ryan Papenhuyzen
Celebrating Women in League
The annual Women in League round provides another opportunity to celebrate the club's long-standing partnership with the Victorian Women’s Trust.
For more than 10 years we have helped to promote the VWT vision of full gender equality - a world where women, girls, and gender diverse people take up all of life’s opportunities with respect, safety and dignity.
On Thursday night the squad will run-out in Melbourne Storm x Victorian Women's Trust warm up tees, which pay tribute to the partnership and the shared values of both organisations.
The Victorian Women’s Trust is very proud to be partnered with a like-minded organisation like Storm, one that is committed to gender equality. Since 2010, this partnership has been one built on respect and a commitment from both parties to achieving real results. Together, we can achieve gender equality in our lifetime.
Victorian Women's Trust
