Gun Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is expecting "fireworks" from his play-making teammate Cameron Munster in his first NRL match of the season.
Munster and hooker Harry Grant both missed round one through suspension, with the Storm showing courage to come from behind and earn a 26-16 victory over Wests Tigers.
Papenhuyzen called the win "bittersweet" after serious injuries to skipper Christian Welch, winger George Jennings and Test hooker Brandon Smith.
Papenhuyzen said Munster, who spent time in an alcohol rehabilitation facility through the off-season after he was almost cut from the club for his party antics, was in peak form leading in to Thursday night's clash with South Sydney at AAMI Park.
"Just his attitude toward training, he just seems so fresh," Papenhuyzen said of the star No.6.
"He's got a different energy; loves talking about footy, coming up with new plays and it's exciting to be around him.
"It was a great win on the weekend but thinking forward to when he comes back, and the same with Harry, it's going to be exciting; there's going to be some fireworks."
While his own ankle injury caused no trouble, Papenhuyzen said the injury toll had taken some of the shine off the rousing defeat of the Tigers.
Welch has undergone surgery on a ruptured achilles and is set to miss the season while Jennings is set to join him, awaiting scan results on his knee.
Smith will go under the knife to repair a broken hand.
Papenhuyzen felt in particular for Welch, who has already missed two seasons since 2017 through ACL injuries and was relishing his new leadership role.
"It was quite bittersweet ... it's pretty sad," Papenhuyzen said.
"For what Welchy has had to go through; he talks it down as if there's been a lot of people doing it tough but the last few years that he's had; I really felt for him."
Papenhuyzen and crafty halfback Jahrome Hughes stepped up to help orchestrate Melbourne's comeback against the Tigers with the resilience shown by the short-handed Storm a particular source of pride.
"That was the highlight out of the game," Papenhuyzen said.
"I think we had six people debut for the club so that's a pretty amazing effort in a game where we had so many people out already, it was pretty impressive to fight back and get the win."
He said playing for the injured trio would be a motivation through the season.
Papenhuyzen injured his ankle at training in January but said he had pulled up well and would be ready to take on the Rabbitohs, who fell to Brisbane in their opening clash.
"It was bit touch and go as the ligaments in my ankle had healed but it was the bone bruising that was taking a bit of time," he said.
"I was really fortunate the medical team pushed me to get back for round one and it feels really good and isn't sore at all now."
