Having seen an understrength South Sydney unravel before their eyes, Melbourne skipper Jesse Bromwich says his team view Sunday's Magic Round clash with St George Illawarra as their biggest challenge of the NRL season.
The Storm put 50 points on a Rabbitohs outfit that was missing the likes of Adam Reynolds, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, but find themselves heading into their clash with the Dragons without star playmaker Cameron Munster and hooking duo Harry Grant and Brandon Smith.
Gun fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is rated a good chance to play, but still has to pass searching tests on his injured shoulder.
"Paps didn't do any contact with the team on Wednesday but they are giving him until the last minute to be able to play, which would be huge for us," Bromwich told AAP on Thursday.
Bromwich said it would be tough if they had to play without the bulk of their starting spine, with halfback Jahrome Hughes the only certainty.
"It's a really big challenge," he said.
"The Dragons are a decent team and we're got lots of outs so it's going to be quite dangerous.
"With our spine out it's going to be really big task so it's on us as a forward group to take our group forward and take the pressure off whoever comes in."
Jesse's brother Kenny has been named as an unlikely hooker, although Tyson Smoothy is certain to get plenty of game time after making his debut there early in the season.
Bromwich said his advice to his younger sibling was to pass early.
"He's played a little bit here and there but he's probably a bit too heavy to be an 80-minute hooker," he said laughing.
"He might start the game there and we will see what happens but I just told him to give us the ball early and make his tackles."
Meanwhile, Bromwich said he hoped co-captain Dale Finucane remained with the Storm with reports linking the representative lock with a long-term North Queensland deal.
"I'd like Dale to stay - he's a good leader around the place and set a lot of the standards with the intensity of his training and the way he plays," Bromwich said.
"He's a really tough player and all the boys look up to him so hopefully they can work things out and he can see out his career here."
