Had the Melbourne Storm lost their past few games they could have been forgiven for using injuries as an excuse, but Storm forward Kenny Bromwich doesn't see it that way.
The Storm have missed key players such as Cameron Munster, Blake Green, Tim Glasby and Nelson Asofa-Solomona in recent weeks, adding to the long-term injuries of stars Billy Slater and Will Chambers.
Prop Jordan McLean has been added to the list after picking up an injury against the Broncos in Round 17, although Bromwich said there's no room for excuses at the Melbourne club.
"I don't think you can use it as an excuse, I don't think any team can come out and use that as an excuse, but that's just my opinion," Bromwich said.
"It has been quite shocking and I don't think we've ever been hit with as many injuries as we've had, but they've been done and they're all recovering now, all the boys are smiling and doing what they have to do to recover.
"We have copped a few injuries in the forwards, but it gives guys like myself time to play more minutes. The guys that are coming in are doing a good job and the guys that are out are recovering well, but I'm happy to be playing more minutes."
Even with their injuries the Storm have still managed to win four out of their past five games, with Bromwich saying defensive focus has been the key.
"I think the mentality that we have to be good in defence is locked in. Everyone that's come in has done a good job defensively and played their role in attack, so I think the boys are in the right headspace," he said.
While most of his teammates will take a break from their club and put on their Origin caps on Wednesday to support their home state, Bromwich will just be enjoying the game for the spectacle.
The Kiwi loves State of Origin and said the series was huge in his home country, so much so that he believes an Origin game should be played in New Zealand in the near future.
"I love watching the game and seeing all the boys get stuck into each other and I love how big it is. I think it's a big global game and I think it'll be good to go to New Zealand one day. It's huge there, all the kids in school choose a side, so I think that would be good," Bromwich said.
"Where I'm from it's mostly Queensland supporters. I think just because of the kind of players they've had, but that's not to say that New South Wales haven't had awesome players either, so there is probably heaps of Blues fans in Auckland as well."
While Bromwich admitted his allegiances lie in Maroons territory, he'll never forget where he came from.
"I grew up watching guys like Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer, and my old man followed them too, so I went down that path too and supported Queensland, but I'm always a Kiwi," Bromwich said.
