As Melbourne prepares for yet another finals tilt with a home clash against Cronulla in a qualifying final this weekend, the club have received some welcome news on the injury front.
Bronson Garlick will play his first game since early July after finally recovering from a back issue he suffered while playing against the Wests Tigers in Round 18.
The hooker has endured an injury-plagued campaign, featuring just four times for the Storm.
It’s a far cry from the major role he played for the club just a season prior when he clocked 22 appearances for Craig Bellamy’s side.
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Melbourne Storm receives positive news on the injury front
"It’s great news for him and it’s great news for the group because Bronson is such an energetic and enthusiastic member of our squad," the club’s General Manager of Football, Frank Ponissi, said upon revealing Garlick’s return to fitness.
"He’s been limited this year with appearances due to injuries.
"He started with an injury then forced his way back and then just had that unfortunate back injury against the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval and hasn’t played since."
After enduring a slow start to the year where he battled with injury issues and was then unable to break into the 17, Garlick made his first NRL appearance in Round 14 against Newcastle.
The dummy-half then appeared set for a sustained run in the side as he started in the No.9 jersey for three games in a row while Harry Grant was unavailable.
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However, just half an hour into the clash with the Tigers, the 28-year-old suffered the back injury which has cruelled his campaign up until this point.
"He’s been coming back slowly but surely and he’ll play for the Bears on Sunday - they’ve got a major semi-final against the Newtown Jets," Ponissi added.
"It’s great for Bronson that he’s back playing but potentially playing in an NSW Cup grand final in a couple of weeks as well."
