The Melbourne Storm's injury woes of 2022 look set to ripple into this season after losing wrecking ball Justin Olam just minutes into their first trial match with a fractured arm.
The Papua New Guinean was one of a select few first-grade certainties selected by Craig Bellamy for their trial against the Sydney Roosters, and looks set to rue the decision after the wrecking ball left the field with his arm in a sling.
Olam was one of a few outside backs to withstand the injury curse in 2022, missing just one game last season while the likes of Reimis Smith, Xavier Coates, George Jennings and Ryan Papenhuyzen were stuck on the sidelines.
Already without Papenhuyzen to start the season, losing Olam is a mega-blow for the Storm.
The Melbourne Storm confirmed the news on Monday morning.
'Scans taken late yesterday have confirmed that Storm centre Justin Olam suffered a fractured forearm in the pre-season match against the Roosters in Geelong.
'Justin will undergo surgery which will then provide a clearer indication on his recovery period.
'The current estimation is he will be sidelined for six weeks.'
It leaves the club without their wrecking ball at left centre until at least Round 4, missing key opening clashes against Parramatta, Canterbury and the Titans, with Young Tonumaipea the early favourite to start at centre.
The Storm will face face the Warriors this weekend in the second and final week of the pre-season challenge, where Bellamy is sure to play Tonumaipea at left centre as well as a host of others before deciding on who partners Reimis Smith in the opening round.