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Chamber key for Gareth

Chamber key for Gareth

09/14/2011 09:26:31 PM

Melbourne Storm five-eighth Gareth Widdop anticipates some more time in the hyperbaric chamber ahead of next week's NRL preliminary final.

The 22-year-old used the chamber to assist in healing an ankle injury that was supposed rule him out of Storm's first final against Newcastle last Sunday.

But Widdop made a surprise appearance and proved a solid contributor as Melbourne accounted for the Knights 18-8.

"I just did everything possible to get it right and I got through OK, which is a good thing," Widdop said.

"I'll probably jump in the hyperbaric chamber again, but look, it's up to the physio and doctor (and) what they want me to do."

Widdop acknowledged the lure of playing in his first final played a pivotal part in his recovery.

"I played all year to play in the finals, to get injured in the last game and miss a finals match would be quite hard," Widdop said.

"I wouldn't have gone out there if I didn't feel I was right to play, but it came good in the end."

Widdop was one of seven Storm players who experienced finals football for the first time against the Knights.

Jesse Bromwich, Beau Champion, Kevin Proctor, Jaiman Lowe, Atelea Vea and Matt Duffie round out the list, with Duffie acknowledging the step up from regular season games.

"Everyone was running a bit harder, everything was a bit faster and we just had to be concentrating a bit harder, I reckon," Duffie said.

"All the boys that hadn't played finals knew what was expected of them from the guys that played finals like Cam (Smith), Billy (Slater) and Coops (Cooper Cronk)."

Duffie, who made his Test debut for New Zealand earlier this year, admitted he would prefer a preliminary final showdown against the Warriors than Wests Tigers.

"I wouldn't mind playing against the Warriors because I used to support them," Duffie said.

"Either team is tough and both sides are very hard to beat if they turn up on their day."

The NRL announced on Wednesday that the preliminary final would be played at AAMI Park regardless of Storm's opponent.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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