Prize Storm recruit Jamie Feeney says he will be fit to start the NRL season despite being diagnosed with a back injury, similar to that which prematurely ended the career of Melbourne fullback Robbie Ross.
Feeney has been ruled out of Storm's final trial match against the North Queensland Cowboys in Cairns tonight because of a bulging disc in his lower back. It is similar to the injury which led to Ross' retirement from the NRL last year. He required surgery to fuse together damaged vertebrae.
Feeney's case is not as severe and club medical staff are confident that because the injury was identified in its preliminary stages, it can be managed to ensure the hard-running back-rower suffers no further damage.
"It is something that I have been aware of for a few years, but I never had any scans or anything done on it," Feeney said yesterday.
"It flared up a bit with all the hard work we have done in the pre-season and when I had a scan it showed up the bulging disc.
"It is good because now I know it's there I can manage it and avoid things that can inflame the problem.
"I'm confident it won't be an issue for me, the biggest problem is the timing with the season not far away."
After being shown the door by the reigning premier, Feeney, 26, has come to Melbourne with a point to prove.
He impressed coach Craig Bellamy with his application pre-season, but missing both of Storm's trial fixtures has hurt his chances of lining up in the Round 1 blockbuster against Newcastle at Olympic Park on March 13.
"It is very disappointing. I've done a lot of hard work since getting down to Melbourne," Feeney said.
"The way things ended with Canterbury was pretty shattering. Missing out on the grand final was tough and being asked to leave there while I still had a contract was a real blow to my confidence and a bit of a dent to my pride."
While his teammates prepared for their trial against the Cowboys, Feeney, who has signed a three-year deal with Storm, returned to Sydney and hopes to play in a low-level trial for North Sydney Bears on Sunday.