The NRL finals have been thrown into chaos a week before they begin with the Storm belted by Brisbane and struck down by injury. The Bulldogs insist they haven't yet discussed facing a battered Melbourne next week.

Brisbane

The lead-up to the NRL finals has been disrupted after the Melbourne Storm suffered a heavy defeat to Brisbane and lost key players to injury and suspension. Jerome Hughes, a key playmaker for the Storm, is sidelined with a suspected broken bone, while Nelson Osofa-Solomona faces a potential three-week suspension and Ryan Pappenhausen is ruled out with concussion.

Despite these setbacks, the Bulldogs, set to face the Storm in the first week of finals, have dismissed suggestions that the injuries will make their task easier. The Broncos, led by Reece Walsh, have climbed into the top four, while Penrith remain confident in their finals experience despite the challenge of winning from outside the top four.

Chaos for rugby league teams heading into finals

Now the NRL finals have been thrown into chaos a week before they begin, with the Storm belted by Brisbane and struck down by injury. Looking to find a finals rhythm against the Sharks, the Bulldogs insist they haven't yet discussed facing a battered Melbourne next week. Dahlia medalist last year, the Storm's main trooper in attack. Jerome Hughes wanted a tune-up before finals, and it's all gone wrong. I pretty much think it's a break without a doubt. He's in plaster already. Yeah, so that was a great idea to put him back in this week. He's not Melbourne's only concern. Nelson Osofa-Solomona is facing at least a three-week suspension. Ryan Pappenhausen will miss the first final with concussion. On the other hand, Reece Walsh and the Broncos barked into the top four and put the comp on notice. There's your water. There's your plumbing. We installed the toilet, alright? So everybody out there saying that all these people use it, we put it in, alright? The Bulldogs faced the Storm in week one, any hint of it being an easier battle brushed away. Oh, you might not believe me, but it's the furthest thing from my mind right now. The carnage has done little to change Geraldo's mindset before facing the Sharks, weighing up the risk of injury versus reward of momentum. If someone came to me and said they needed a rest, I'd listen to them, but they all want to play. They all love playing in front of their home fans. Those fans intimidating to some, Cronull are caught by a passer-by blaring the Bulldogs' chants at training. It's hardly a secret. You've only got to walk past and you can hear it. It wasn't trying to be behind closed doors. No secret, Penrith are premiership specialists, not phased by needing to become the first in the NRL era to win from outside the top four. I think our game suits finals, so that's one thing. It's also, a lot of the team have been there and done it, so that doesn't mean it doesn't get you over the line. It does help. Trent Simpson, 10 News.

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