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Storm's Smith keen for first Roosters shot

Melissa WoodsAAP
Brandon Smith is happy to rotate with Harry Grant in the Melbourne hooking role.
Camera IconBrandon Smith is happy to rotate with Harry Grant in the Melbourne hooking role. Credit: AAP

Melbourne's Brandon Smith is putting his hand up to help take the sting out of the big Sydney Roosters pack before handing over to fellow hooker Harry Grant.

Two of the NRL competition heavyweights meet at AAMI Park on Friday night, where the Storm are unbeaten this season.

Grant made his first appearance of the season after overcoming a knee injury last round against Canterbury, coming off the bench in an impressive display.

Despite playing just 53 minutes Grant topped the match tackle count while he also put Tui Kamikamica through for a try.

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Smith said Melbourne were still tinkering with how to get the best out of the hooking pair but he was happy to weather the early collisions.

"With Harry not playing for a little while I think I will still be starting but we will come up with a plan," Smith said on Tuesday.

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"It might be a good idea for me to start this week because the Roosters play a big power game and I'm a bit bigger than Harry so I will be able to take a bit of sting out of them."

Smith felt the "one-two punch" with Grant worked well against the Bulldogs, with him moving to lock forward when Maroons No.9 Grant entered the fray.

While the Storm are spoilt for choice, New Zealand Test rake Smith said he actually felt sorry for the Roosters, who have lost two hookers to injury and Jake Friend to mid-season retirement.

Smith's initial thoughts were that the Roosters could turn to Victor Radley, but he now wasn't so sure.

Regardless of who played at dummy half, he didn't think it would alter the Roosters' game plan.

"My thoughts were maybe Victor Radley would slot into the hooker role but if you watch the Roosters he's basically their main ball-player and he touches the ball more than the halves these days so I'm not too sure," the 24-year-old.

"I feel sorry them to be honest because they've had a lot of big injuries but I'm sure Trent Robinson will have a plan ... we will expect what we've expected for the last five years."

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