Melbourne utility Brandon Smith admits he feared his NRL grand-final redemption plans had been sabotaged by another facial fracture.
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But the Storm livewire has given himself the all-clear to overcome nerve damage and make amends for his 2018 disappointment in Sunday's season decider against Penrith in Sydney.
Still smarting from Melbourne's grand-final loss to Sydney Roosters two years ago, the Kiwi international feared he had cost himself another premiership shot when he copped a head knock in last week's preliminary-final romp over Canberra.
He admitted there was a horrible feeling of deja vu as he came off for an HIA in the 30-10 victory after suffering a broken jaw in August that sidelined him for a month.
"My scone is still numb. Apparently I have damaged nerves in my face," Smith told AAP.
"It was awfully similar (to broken jaw pain). I was very nervous. I thought my grand-final hopes were crushed before they had even started.
"But there's no fracture. Nothing is going to stop me from playing the grand final."
It was sweet relief for Smith who thought he would not get another title shot after being left devastated on grand final debut in 2018 when the Roosters romped home 21-6.
"It was a bad finish for us in 2018 and I didn't know whether I would get a chance to be in a grand final again," he said.
"For me I am a lot more confident than in 2018. It was a tough game to go through but I think I am a better player for it.
"It was a big learning curve two years ago. Now I know what the grand final is about. I am looking forward to lifting the trophy at the end of the week - it would be an amazing feeling."
Smith may have claimed to be a grand-final certainty but the rest of his future appears uncertain.
Contracted at Melbourne until the end of 2022, the rake may be forced to look elsewhere if inspirational captain Cameron Smith decides to play on next year.
"We will sort all that out. Even Smithy doesn't know what he is doing and I asked his wife on Sunday and she doesn't know," Smith laughed.
"But I think it is very selfish to try and force a decision from him. He has done everything for the game - he has earned the right (to decide his future)."
Australian Associated Press
