Melbourne winger Sisa Waqa is expected to be fit to play in next Sunday’s NRL grand final despite missing Friday’s preliminary final win over Manly with a knee injury.
The powerful wide-man pulled up in the warm-up before the Storm’s 40-12 victory and was replaced by Mahe Fanua.
“After training on Friday he was practising with Cooper Cronk and he landed on his knee but he felt fine,” Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said on Friday.
“Then just before warm-up we strapped it up but he didn’t feel too good so the medical boys had a look at him and he’ll have scans today.
“But unless something shows up I fully expect him to be fit for next week.”
However, veteran prop Jason Ryles’ hopes of a second grand final decider in two years is very unlikely.
The former Sydney Roosters prop has not played for five weeks, but was in line to return against Manly before suffering a setback in training earlier this week.
“We haven’t totally ruled him out but he will need a miracle,” Ponissi said.
“Unless he comes up good on Monday and we feel he may have a chance then he is he won’t be there unfortunately.”