Melbourne will wait on scans on star five-eighth Cameron Munster's shoulder, as they count the cost of wrapping up their third NRL minor premiership in four years.
Munster left the field late in the Storm's 36-6 flogging of Manly, on a drama-filled Saturday evening that also likely ended Manly star Tom Trbojevic's season, due to a pectoral injury.
The news on Munster is not expected to be as bad.
- Three teams face axe, as NRL mulls Brisbane expansion
- Knights thrash Titans to keep playoff hopes alive
- New play for NZ Warriors ownership
He came into the Lottoland match with a shoulder complaint and was only cleared to play on Friday.
The Storm also have more freedom to play with, given they have wrapped up top spot and play North Queensland on Friday night at home.
"On Thursday, we thought he would be out," Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said. "He had something in his neck or shoulder.
"It's a bit different now - it's gone more into his shoulder. I don't think they know or want to say anything until they scan him.
"It's not too serious. He doesn't think it's linked to his neck, but the physios seem to think it might be.
"We would like to be able to go in [against Cowboys] with the team we're going to go into the semi-finals with.
"But I think, whatever happens, we probably will rest him next week."
Bellamy labelled the Storm's minor premiership his most special in his time at the club.
Melbourne have dropped just four games all year, with two of them in golden point.
It also comes after losing Cooper Cronk to the Sydney Roosters and Billy Slater to retirement over the past two seasons.
Sixteen of the 28 personnel used this year have been aged less than 25, with only three playing more than 150 games.
"I reckon this one is a little more special than the other ones we have won," Bellamy said. "This is probably the youngest group Storm in my time here.
"I know there were some doomsayers at the start of the year, who thought we might
have dipped a bit.
"But some of those younger blokes have been outstanding this year. Not only have they been consistently good, they have got through some games.
"We've only been beaten four times this year and the biggest is four points. That's pretty consistent and I'm quite proud of this group for that."
AAP
Join us at 5pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Raiders NRL clash
