Cameron Munster is yet to return to Melbourne Storm training after father's passing with a calf injury hampering Ryan Papenhuyzen

News.com.au

a day ago

Cameron Munster isn't back at training yet and Ryan Papenhuyzen is unsure when his calf injury will fully heal leaving Melbourne Storm likely to be at least two stars down for Saturday's home clash with Manly.
Storm officials have given Munster as much time as he needs away form the club after the shock passing of his father, Steven, just days before Queensland's triumph in last Wednesday's State of Origin decider.
Papenhuyzen, who has missed the past two Storm games with a calf injury he'll test again this week but doesn't suspect will be good enough to allow him to tackle the Sea Eagles, said Munster was in 'good spirits' but not expected back at the club until he's ready.
Munster was named in Storm's side but a determination on whether he plays is set to be made later in the week.
'The club's been really good to give him some time off and obviously the emotional rollercoaster of Origin let alone the passing of Steve,' he said.
'It's a massive toll to come from back from and the club's been really good and giving him time and giving him space. We haven't seen him in yet, he's replied to all our messages though and he's in good spirits.
'But yeah it's a grieving process you need to let people go through and I'm sure the funeral's coming up in the next week or so and the club will just give him time I think until he's ready to come back.'
Papenhuyzen said he was playing the long game with his injury which was on the minor end compared to some of the major issues he's had in recent seasons.
But pushing it could lead to further setback and he'd rather be up and firing for the finals than risk doing any further damage, so couldn't say when he'd play again.
'It feels like it's improving. It's more just I can't really tell unless I'm running and we sort of shut it down the last few days so I can't really give an indicator of where it's at,' he said.
'The little ones are probably more annoying in a sense because you can see the finish line right there and you want to push, but I guess you have a bigger goal at the end of the year and we don't have any more byes, so I'm going to be smarter on that.
'But yeah, it is a little bit annoying because you sort of feel a week or two away, but then the next week it keeps getting pushed back and back and back.
'They are weird ones and a bit difficult to deal with but trust in the performance staff and we're in a good position where we can probably have a week or two off and the boys are performing really well, so yeah not panic stations yet.'