MELBOURNE prop Josh King has explained his team-mates’ emotional reaction to stricken winger Will Warbrick at Allianz Stadium.
When the former rugby union star was carried off on a medicab with a ruptured hamstring during the 14-6 loss to Sydney Roosters, most of the Storm players approached to console him.
Warbrick – who was visibly emotional – is joining New Zealand Warriors next year and the injury means he won’t play for Melbourne again.
“Will means a lot to us,” King told ABC radio.
“He’s been here for five years now and he’s had a massive impact on this team and this club.
“It’s unfortunate to lose him next year but you can see the love we’ve got for him and no-one wants to go down like that, especially (with) that kind of injury.
“Hopefully Will can get back sooner rather than later but yeah, it’s a bit of a stint on the sideline for him.”
Coach Craig Bellamy is already without his other first choice winger, Xavier Coates, due to the same injury.
“It is not great,” Bellamy said at the post match media conference.
“With the two wingers we had at the start of the year, they are some of the best in the game, and we lost both to the same injury, a severe injury.
“It is a shame for Will to end his career [at Melbourne] on that note. He was tremendous for us.
“But I’m sure he will have great success at the Warriors.”
Skipper Harry Grant added:“He is a real athlete, a good teammate and a real club man.
“We are going to miss him at the club and also in the locker room.
“We have to make [his last weeks at the club] enjoyable and memorable. Now we just have to show our support and stay with him.”
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