Melbourne Storm have been dealt a huge blow with centre Chase Stanley requiring a full knee reconstruction and will miss the entire season.
Stanley had an MRI on his knee yesterday because of soreness after his starring role in the club’s season opener.
The results showed a ruptured anterior-cruciate ligament requiring surgery and nine months out of the game.
Stanley, who bruised his knee in Storm’s final trial, appeared to injure himself when he went down, un-tackled, after an awkward side-step in the first-half.
He played on and scored the go-ahead try later in the game.
But post-game soreness moved medical staff to order the MRI scan, which delivered the bad news.
Stanley looks certain to be replaced in the line-up by former South Sydney centre Beau Champion for Saturday night’s clash with the Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park.
by Buford Balony
