Melbourne collide with Covid-19 ahead of Cronulla clash as the Bromwich boys ruled out

Melbourne have been rocked by more COVID-19 drama ahead of their NRL blockbuster against Cronulla with Kenny Bromwich ruled out after contracting the virus.

The second-rower tested positive to the virus late on Friday night, just hours after his brother Jesse was also confirmed to have COVID-19. 

The Storm go into Saturday nights battle as rare underdogs, currently in third spot behind the second placed Sharks. 

Jesse Bromwich (pictured running with ball) and his brother Kenny have tested positive to Covid-19, with both ruled out of Saturday nights clash against Cronulla

The Bromwich brothers did not train with the Storm on Friday and the club is hopeful that the outbreak has just been restricted to the pair.

It marks the second game Jesse has missed due to the virus after also sitting out their round-one win over Wests Tigers as a close contact.

Brandon Smith had already been called into the Storm starting side to cover for Jesse, while Chris Lewis looms as the most likely man to come into the 17 for Kenny.

Cronulla have also endured COVID-19 issues, with second-rower Briton Nikora ruled out with the virus and Cameron McIness coming into the starting side.

Winger Sione Katoa has also been sidelined with a knee injury, with Mawene Hiroti taking his place.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy must now find consistency in a team roster that is everything but that due to the sudden nature of the virus moving key players in and out of the training squad. 

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is struggling to find team consistency in a roster plagued by cases of Covid-19

The three-time premiership winning coach believes the Sharks success is a result of individual and team consistency.

‘Some of the players that were there last year, they are much more consistent doing the good things right – that’s the one thing I’ve noticed,’ he said.

Melbourne have lost only one game this season, a golden point thriller against Parramatta in round three.

Bellamy believes his side have been ‘patchy’ and must focus on a full 80 minute performance.

‘Probably when we’ve had the upper hand, we’ve taken the foot off the throat.

‘We’ve got to stick to what we’ve been doing instead of looking for other ways to do things so that’s what we’re concentrating on at the moment.’     

Former Melbourne Storm forward Dale Finucane (pictured) is one of the key players who has brought consistency to Cronulla’s roster in the 2022 season