Melbourne Storm welcomes the NRL’s ruling that will allow Brandon Smith to be eligible to play in round one of the 2022 season.
Our club and players value the All Stars game as an important part of the rugby league calendar.
The club thanks the NRL for considering our submission, as well as the submission by the NZ Warriors, who were in a similar position.
Brandon Smith said: “It was certainly very tough to miss out on playing with my Maori brothers and not getting the chance to enjoy the All Stars week.
“I continue to take the steps I need to put last year’s events behind me, to improve myself and I’m grateful to have the chance to be part of round one of the competition next week.”
Cooper Johns update
Storm half Cooper Johns will miss 4-6 weeks after sustaining a grade three AC joint injury in the early minutes of Sunday’s trial game at Ballarat. He had scans in Melbourne yesterday.
