A fullback curse may have struck again but Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is still quietly confident veteran No.1 Billy Slater will be fit for their NRL season opener.
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A week after Slater jarred his shoulder, his No.1 replacement Jahrome Hughes lasted just 22 minutes before he succumbed to injury in the Storm's 16-14 NRL trial loss to North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Former Cowboys flyer Hughes suffered a dislocated shoulder as he tried to defuse a North Queensland in-goal kick in the 2017 grand final rematch.
He is not considered a chance of returning for their March 10 season opener against Canterbury in Perth.
However, Bellamy was keeping his fingers crossed Slater would be available after going down in last week's World Club Challenge win over Leeds.
"With Jahrome we are not sure how much damage has been done, at least they got it (shoulder) back in pretty easily that's probably a good sign," Bellamy said.
"Until he has scans we don't know how much damage he has been done.
"He's a talented kid but just can't get a good run with footy."
Asked if Slater would play round one, Bellamy said: "He had a scan this week, saw the specialist - he is reasonably happy with where he is at.
"We think he will play round one but I am not going to take too many chances there.
"There wasn't any more damage done to the shoulder, just jarred it.
"There's soreness there and it may take a little bit to settle down.
"We think he is a good chance of playing round one."
Australian Associated Press
