Storm's Smith suffers back injury

Melbourne hope skipper Cameron Smith will be fit for next round but Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Suliasi Vunivalu and Brandon Smith are among the casualties.

Cameron Smith

Downcast Storm captain Cameron Smith suffered a back injury during the first half against the Eels. (AAP)

Melbourne are hopeful skipper Cameron Smith will be fit for their next round NRL clash with Gold Coast but they will be down on troops through some major injuries.

Smith suffered back spasms after an awkward tackle in their win over Parramatta and left the AAMI Park field just before halftime.

Of more concern, giant prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been diagnosed with ankle syndesmosis while back-up hooker Brandon Smith is believed to have suffered a serious knee injury.

Just minutes before his injury Asofa-Solomona showed his value with a barn-storming run through the defence to score.

Winger Suliasi Vunivalu is also expected to miss a week or two with a hamstring issue which also forced him to miss the second half.

Coach Craig Bellamy said the win had come at a cost but he was very proud of their effort.

"Cameron has had spasms in his back which he's had before," Bellamy said.

"I'm not sure if they're going to x-ray it, I don't think it's anything too serious."

"Brandon and Nelson are going to be out for a fair chunk of time I think."

Bellamy was particularly proud of young Brandon Smith's effort, with the 22-year-old playing on with the injury after seeing his team had no replacements left on the bench, with Dale Finucane getting his head stitched.

"For him to stay out there like he did with that reasonably bad injury for 15 to 20 minutes to help us out just goes to show what I tough kid he is," Bellamy said.

The Storm had already ruled out halfback Jahrome Hughes before the match with a knee injury with no guarantee he will return for the Titans on Saturday.


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Source: AAP


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