Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy agrees with Phil Gould that Ryan Papenhuyzen isn't the player he was but sees signs of improvement with each game the star fullback plays.
Papenhuyzen will again come off the bench in the Storm's Thursday night clash with Canberra at Sunshine Coast Stadium, with Nicho Hynes the starting No.1.
The 23-year-old was the hottest player in the competition until he was knocked out in Magic Round in May, battling ongoing serious concussion symptoms for two months.
Coach-turned-commentator Gould described him as "very withdrawn, cautious and tentative" since his return.
But Bellamy said Papenhuyzen was tracking in the right direction and just needed time.
"Phil's probably right," Bellamy said.
"I think we all realise that, and Paps realises that as well.
"But he's only played three games back and it was a really bad injury that he had and he was out for a really long time so we just want to make sure we're patient and not expecting too much too early.
"I see improvements in his timing, his confidence and willingness to get involved - I think he's got a little bit better each game he's played."
He hinted that once Papenhuyzen was back to his old self he would look to use Hynes in other roles.
"Nicho has done a great job for us in Paps' time out but Nicho can play other positions as well so we will keep monitoring how Paps is going," he said.
Bellamy was asked if his bench set-up, carrying Papenhuyzen/Hynes and also reserve hooker Harry Grant rather than three big forwards, was sustainable for the NRL finals.
The master coach said being able to switch starting hooker Brandon Smith to the ruck made it work.
"You put Harry on and Brandon goes into the ruck and when Brandon's playing in the ruck there's not too many players that you'd prefer," Bellamy said.
"He's a really good player and really important to our team wherever he's playing."
