Storm's Nikorima firming for round one

Coach Craig Bellamy has given a strong hint that Jayden Nikorima will feature in Melbourne's first-round run-on side after five years in the NRL wilderness.

With Storm hookers Brandon Smith and Harry Grant and five-eighth Cameron Munster suspended for the season-opener against Wests Tigers, Nikorima is under consideration for a key role.

The reformed 25-year-old made the first step in his top-flight redemption by representing the Maori All Stars last weekend after being sacked by the Sydney Roosters in 2017.

Melbourne have been impressed by Nikorima's application since joining the club and he is a leading contender to permanently fill the interchange utility role vacated by Nicho Hynes this year.

He will play in the halves alongside Cooper Johns in Saturday's trial with the Warriors, with Bellamy saying one of the pair will deputise for Munster when the official action begins.

Like his Warriors star brother Kodi, Nikorima is also adept at hooker and is among the options to cover for Smith and Grant, the latter being sidelined for one match due to a crusher tackle last season.

"Jayden Nikorima has played dummy-half before," Bellamy said.

"A couple of other guys that have come from other clubs or were with us the last half of last year, they've played a little bit of dummy-half but not a lot.

"We'll give a couple of guys a go (on Saturday) and see how we go with it."

Munster, Smith and Grant will all get game-time at Casey Fields to prepare them for round two.

Saturday's special Unite for Tonga trial will raise funds for communities impacted by the volcanic eruptions that rocked the Pacific nation in January.

The Storm's jerseys will include a Tongan flag and they will be skippered by George Jennings.

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