The Storm has received a boost ahead of their assault on back-to-back premierships, with news that tough-as-teak backrower Dallas Johnson's knee injury is nowhere near as bad as initially expected.
It was feared Johnson may have suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the dying stages of last night's 42-4 thumping of Souths at Olympic Park, but Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith has allayed fears that Johnson's injury is serious.
"It looked pretty bad when he went down there, bit I think he's going to be alright," said Smith.
"At worst, at this stage he might be missing one week."
Johnson will have scans today to determine the extent of the injury, but Smith remains ultra confident the man who's built a reputation as one of rugby league's genuine hard men will take his place on Sunday.
"I think we all know Dallas is a tough customer and if he's fifty percent right he'll be playing this week.
"He's a bit sore, but I don't think it's as bad as we first expected."