Melbourne winger Xavier Coates left training on Thursday on a medicab after suffering an ankle injury but is expected to be fit for round one.
Vision of the representative winger lying on his back and being driven from the training paddock showed up on social media, however, Storm officials confirmed Coates will miss the pre-season trials but will be ready for their first game of the 2025 season against Parramatta on March 9.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the use of the medicab was a precautionary measure because of the long walk back to team headquarters.
If he's not able to return for the opener, the Storm have a variety of players that can fill the wing spot.
Coates carried off via medicab. Nine
The Storm should have their full complement of players for the round one clash for the AAMI Park clash, except for suspended prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Although, new recruit Stefano Utoikamanu should be there barring injury and will bring a new edge to the pack alongside Asofa-Solomona.
NRL Immortal Andrew Johns told the publication he's tipping the Storm to be 2025 premiers, with the addition of Utoikamanu.
"I think the Storm win this year, and had Nelson played in last year's grand final, they win [in 2024]," said Johns, when asked which team he expected to be premiers.
Xavier Coates expected to play round one. Getty
"They have the best spine in the comp – Harry Grant, Cam Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes – and if they're at full strength at the end of this year, I can't see anyone beating them.
"They will also have the one-two punch with Stefano and Nelson. Look at Glenn Lazarus and what he did when he went from Canberra to Brisbane. He helped turn them around. Front-rowers are so important.
"The Storm say it takes players two off-seasons to get up to speed [with their systems], so Stefano might even need this year, he will still kill it this year, then next year is the time he explodes."
