Storm star ready to tackle round one after hip surgery

He said his hips "locked up" a few times but that was to be expected as he returned to play. He otherwise had no pain, with the surgery solving the groin issues that have hampered his game in recent seasons.

The 30-year-old had some nice touches as he attempted to kick-start a faltering Storm attack missing key men including halfback Jahrome Hughes, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and wingers Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick.

Despite the loss Munster told AAP he felt he gained what he needed out of the match.

"I know fans are probably wanting to see grand final footy, but we're just going out there to get the cobwebs out and get Ks (kilometres) in our legs," Munster said.

"For me it was just to go out there and get the confidence in my head and make sure I can come out there and play the footy that I know I can play."

While Melbourne were understrength, Munster was happy with a first half play when he combined with Shawn Blore, who turned the ball back inside for Nick Meaney to score.

He also felt the Storm rallied well to score three late tries, bringing a more encouraging scoreline ahead of their first round match against Parramatta on March 9.

"I wasn't expecting to reinvent the wheel, just wanted to get out there and run the ball and just connect with my left edge," he said."We had a nice little set play there with Blory and Means.

"I know the scoreline didn't help us in a way, but I pretty happy with the way the boys dug deep in the last 15 minutes."

Papenhuyzen is rated a long shot to face the Eels after his lower leg reacted to a lift in training load on the back of his horror injury history.

His fullback replacement Sua Fa'alogo also left the trial mid-match and had ice on his hamstring, but it was said to be a precautionary move.

Hughes (calf), Coates (ankle) and Warbrick, who was rested after representative duty, are expected to front for round one, with former Storm player and assistant coach Jason Ryles now at the Parramatta helm.