Meaney to play through pain for maiden finals chance

Storm fullback Nick Meaney is set to continue playing through the pain of an AC joint injury that requires a pain-killing injection in a bid to make his Telstra Premiership finals debut next week.

Meaney’s immediate future appeared worrying in the final minutes of Melbourne’s 22-14 loss to the Eels on Thursday night when he clutched at his arm in severe pain after the side crossed for their third try.

However, Meaney said post-match it was an ongoing issue that required treatment each week after he landed on his head and shoulder awkwardly against the Warriors in July.

“I’ve been needling it now since then [for] about six weeks,” Meaney said.

“It’s one of those injuries you can carry and fight through the pain. It’s a bit of a nasty one but you can play through it.

“We’ve got a long turnaround so I’ll rest up during the week and probably get another needle.”

After five seasons and 87 games in the NRL, Meaney will join David Nofoaluma and Marion Seve as backline players who will experience their maiden finals campaign starting with either the Raiders or Broncos at AAMI Park.

Meaney has experienced more lows than highs during his career so far with stints at the Knights and Bulldogs both ending in wooden spoon finishes.

However, the Ballina product has relished his opportunity at the Storm this season and is currently playing a crucial role that allows five-eighth Cameron Munster to roam in the halves or at fullback.

“We’re building that combination, he’s a special player Munster and he’s all over the park at times so just feeding off him and trying to put him into space as well,” Meaney said.

“The combination is still learning but I think we’re doing a good job at the moment talking to each other so hopefully next week 'Hughesy' [Jahrome Hughes] is back and we can get the job done.

“[Playing finals] is pretty exciting, the last two weeks have felt like finals games with the intensity so I’m looking forward to it.”

The Storm will either play the Raiders or Broncos in week one of the finals but Meaney said either way the side had more to think about than any of their opposition.

“We’re just shooting ourselves in the foot. You look at stats and they [the opposition] should be winning by a lot more points so we’re in the fight still,” he said.

“There are positive signs but it comes back down to ball security, winning our tackles and completing our sets.

“They (Canberra) are hitting a bit of form at the moment and playing some exciting football.

“Same with the Broncos, they’ve had a tough couple of weeks so I’m sure they’ll want to bounce back from that.

“Either way they’re two exciting teams who like to move the football and run hard so hopefully we’re up for the challenge.”