Source: The Storm
Storm welcomes back Hill for clash with Raiders
Melbourne Storm five-eighth Scott Hill looks to have overcome a back injury that saw him miss last weeks 20-point loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Hill missed the Dragons clash after straining his lower back at training last week, but the former Test lock is set to make a return for the Storm after today being named for Sundays clash with the Raiders at Canberra Stadium.
The return of Hill is a timely boost for the Storm as it looks to arrest a form slide that has seen it win one of its past five matches.
After watching his teammates suffer their worst defeat of the season against the Dragons last week, Hill cant wait for Sundays crucial match in Canberra.
Its not good when you dont have any input and the team goes down as was the case last week, Hill said.
Had we played at home last week my back might have sorted itself out but obviously with the short week it wasnt enough time to get myself right for the Dragons.
Over the weekend I made sure I took it easy and had plenty of physio so its feeling pretty good now. Ill just ease myself back into this week and come the weekend I should be fine.
Despite missing his second match of the season through a back-related injury last week Hill was ruled out of the Storms Round 13 win over the Tigers in similar fashion earlier this year the 27-year-old is confident the injury wont be ongoing.
I dont think its something that will be reoccurring, the last time I injured my back was different to this time, Hill said.
I dont think Ill have any problems getting over it, I didnt last time and I dont expect this to be different. Hills return to pivot sees Matt Geyer move back to the wing while Dustin Cooper has been named as 18th man.
Utility Andrew McFadden will face his former club for the first time in Storm colours this week after the 26-year-old was named for his second consecutive first-grade match of the season.
McFadden, who has endured a torrid run of groin and ankle injuries since crossing to the Storm at the end of 2002, made his season debut off the bench for the Storm against the Dragons last week.
Forward Kirk Reynoldson was not named today and will miss Sundays match after suffering a tear to his right calf muscle last Thursday.
The Storm has a perfect record against the Raiders over the past two seasons - four wins from as many games - including a narrow 22-18 at Olympic Park earlier this year.
MELBOURNE STORM TEAM TO PLAY THE CANBERRA RAIDERS, SUNDAY AUGUST 15, AT CANBERRA STADIUM (2.30PM):
1. Billy Slater
2. Matt Geyer
3. Steven Bell
4. Ben MacDougall
5. Matt King
6. Scott Hill
7. Matt Orford
8. Robbie Kearns
9. Cameron Smith
10. Rodney Howe
11. David Kidwell
12. Stephen Kearney (c)
13. Dallas Johnson
Subs:
14. Glen Turner
15. Ryan Hoffman
16. Robert Tanielu
17. Andrew McFadden
18. Dustin Cooper
(One to be omitted)
Yes, I expect it to be a flogging in favour of the Storm.