Storm captain Cameron Smith says he sympathises with the injured Scott Drinkwater but is backing Jahrome Hughes to step up at fullback this season.
Rookie Drinkwater was all but assured of starting the year in the custodian's role, having been chosen to wear the No.1 in both of Melbourne's trial matches.
But in an incredibly cruel twist of fate, the 21-year-old tore his pectoral during Saturday's 14-6 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.
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He is expected to be out of action for 16 weeks, meaning he will miss more than half the season.
Smith admitted Drinkwater's injury has somewhat frazzled the Storm with their campaign beginning next Thursday against the Broncos.
"[It's] a huge blow given Billy Slater's retirement last year and now looking for a man to take that No.1 jersey," the veteran hooker told media on Tuesday.
"Scott Drinkwater was the man that [coach] Craig [Bellamy] was looking at to fill that jersey.
"He's trained with us the entire pre-season in that position, and to pick up such a serious pec injury 10 days out from round one is just awful.
"It's just a little bit hard for everyone to get their heads around that a guy that has trained so long with us over this pre-season is now going to be out for the majority of the year.
"... These things are an evil part of our game and to see a young guy on the up do it is devastating."
While shattered by Drinkwater's situation, Smith has full belief that Hughes can slot into the position without much fuss.
Hughes played 15 games for Melbourne in 2018 – six at fullback and the rest in the halves – and proved he can handle the pressure of NRL.
"I guess once we get our heads around that and look forward to the game, it's all systems go," Smith said.
"Jahrome is an accomplished fullback, he can fill that void quite well.
"Things don't really change as far as the way we go about our football.
“... He’s quite a valuable guy to have there. He played a little bit of fullback for us last year as well and played quite well.
"So in my eyes, I’m thinking he’s the next man up and he’ll want to take that opportunity with both hands."
Hughes hasn't played a trial for the Storm this pre-season.
He missed their first hit-out against the Warriors because of his selection for the All Stars game with the New Zealand Maori while soreness prevented him for playing the Cowboys.