It's payback time, says chastened Storm utility Hinchcliffe

The Age

Friday July 24, 2009

STATHI PAXINOS

MELBOURNE utility Ryan Hinchcliffe has vowed to make amends to his teammates for his untimely suspension that cost the Storm dearly in its loss to Parramatta last Monday night.Hinchcliffe was brought to Melbourne during the pre-season partly as a fall-back for Storm hooker and captain Cameron Smith, particularly during the state of origin series, when Smith might be injured or need a rest because of the increased workload.That came to fruition last Monday night when Smith was ruled out of the round 19 game against Parramatta because of a shoulder injury, suffered during this year's final origin game, but Hinchcliffe, who has been used primarily off the interchange this season, could not step into the starting role because he was serving a one-game suspension.With both hookers on the sidelines, the Storm used Dallas Johnson, Billy Slater and James Maloney as dummy half but failed to find its rhythm and was beaten 18-16 by the Eels. Hinchcliffe yesterday said he owed his teammates and was aiming to start the pay-back against the Sharks tomorrow night at Olympic Park - which would be his first game in three weeks as the Storm also had a round 18 bye."It was a bad week for me to get suspended," Hinchcliffe said. "Part of the reason for being here was that through the origin period I could give Cameron a rest and for that important time I wasn't there so I was very disappointed with that side of things."I definitely feel like I let the team down with the suspension and with Cameron being out it was an opportunity for me to take a bit more responsibility but through suspension I wasn't able to do so."�Meanwhile, Storm lock Dallas Johnson and second-rower Ryan Hoffman are in doubt for tomorrow's clash against the Sharks. Storm physiotherapist Mary Toomey said scans had shown that Johnson, who injured his neck in a tackle during the Eels game, had basically suffered a "really bad stinger". She said while the tough lock had declared himself fit, the decision on whether he plays would be made by medical staff today.She said Hoffman was also doubtful for tomorrow, although his hamstring injury was relatively minor.Meanwhile, Manly skipper Matt Orford yesterday warned rivals that the reigning premier, which has scored seven wins from its past nine matches, was still only warming up to the season.It plays Newcastle at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium tonight and its cause is set to be helped with news Knights skipper Kurt Gidley is in extreme doubt due to a rib cartilage injury.Victory would lift the Sea Eagles level with the Knights on 24 competition points, with Orford eyeing a big run home as they make a late push for a top-four finish."I honestly think we haven't played our best football to date," Orford said. ". . . Until we get all our guys back on board and get a consistent line-up week-in, week-out, I don't think you'll see a full 80 minutes of the old Manly."