Dally M medal winner to sit out another week.
The master of the pre-game mind games Canterbury coach Des Hasler has defied his track record and kept star fullback Ben Barba on the sidelines ahead of his side’s grand final replay with the Melbourne Storm.
Barba, who returned to training last week after seeking treatment for alcohol and gambling addictions, was rumoured to make a shock return to the blue and white in round three.
Hasler poured water on the suggestions earlier in the week, however, Storm coach Craig Bellamy said the side was preparing as if the electric playmaker would run out in the number one jersey.
Instead, Melbourne will face Dury Low retains his place at the back with the Bulldogs keeping the same side that beat Parramatta, with only Tim Lafai added to an extended bench.
Bellamy has named an 18-man squad to take on the Dogs with Justin O’Niell will miss up to six weeks due to a fractured jaw while Siossia Vave will miss the game due to a one-match suspension.
Storm: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Will Chambers, Junior Sa’u, Mahe Fonua, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Tohu Harris, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Lagi Setu, Slade Griffin, Junior Moors, Maurice Blair
Bulldogs: Drury Low, Mitch Brown, Josh Morris, Krisnan Inu, Sam Perrett, Josh Reynolds, Kris Keating, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), Martin Taupau, Tony Williams, Josh Jackson, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Dale Finucane, David Klemmer, Tim Browne, Tim Lafai
COMMENTS