MELBOURNE Storm may have to find a halfback from within the ranks of their new players with first-choice Cooper Cronk set to miss the start of the 2010 season.

Cronk, who returned from the Kangaroos Four Nations tour last week, had surgery on his troublesome groin on the weekend after carrying the injury through the season.

Recovery time is, at best, three months but more likely four meaning he won't be available for the World Club Challenge in February and could miss the start of next season.

The Storm have only started two of 108 games without Cronk in the No. 7 jersey since he took over the position at the start of the 2006 season.

Among the club's 13 new recruits, Luke Kelly, who stepped up from the under-20s for a lone first-grade game this season, would be an obvious replacement.

While Kelly is the favoured option, experienced Brett Finch could also be moved to halfback.

Cronk began his 2009 campaign in the Storm's first trial game and didn't finish until the four nations final two weeks ago, almost seven months later.

It's believed the time spent with the Kangaroos did make the problem worse and also delayed the must-have surgery.

The Storm will already be without premiership-winning prop Brett White, who needs a shoulder operation, another procedure delayed by five weeks because of the Kangaroo tour.

Football manager Frank Ponissi conceded the club would have liked both surgeries done straight after the Grand Final win but said the club could not deny Cronk and White the chance to play for Australia.

"It wasn't the type of injuries that could stop either of them playing, and we couldn't deny them the chance to play for their country," Ponissi said.

"Cooper got through the tour and it was 50/50 about the surgery. He could have not had it done and just managed it again next year. But long term he is better off."

Ponissi said the club was confident it had enough depth to cover the loss of Cronk.

MELBOURNE prop Jeff Lima has already dedicated his NRL premiership medal to "the people of Samoa" - now he's giving them his wedding guests too.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Lima has promised both himself and mates attending his December 19 nuptials to assist a Samoan relief tour being organised between the NRL league community and surf charity Waves Of Hope.

Kangaroo legend Andrew Johns will lead the stellar touring party that includes Rabbitohs skipper Roy Asotasi, Indigenous All Star Wendell Sailor and fellow NRL retiree Nigel Vagana. They will then be met in Samoa by guests of the island wedding including Golden Boot winner Greg Inglis, St George Illawarra enforcer Jeremy Smith and boom Gold Coast Titan Sam Tagataese.

"As soon as Jeff heard what we were doing he said, 'boys, I'll be getting married in Samoa when you're there ... count me in'," says Vagana. "He added that he'd make sure all the boys who are heading over will help out too.

"It's an incredibly generous offer and obviously we've assured Jeff we'll only call on them if it can all be organised without disturbing preparations for his big day. I mean, we don't want the bloke divorced before he gets married."

Departing on Wednesday week, the relief group is an eclectic collaboration of people touched by the devastation caused by the September tsunami.

It's why the Souths Cares arm of the Rabbitohs has organised a heap of footy gear and given their skipper leave from pre-season training. Why St George Illawarra are involved too. Even website fast4football.com has handed over the $3000 they raised auctioning a training session with Johns.

"It's amazing the support we've had," Vagana continues. "Not just from the NRL but places like Ashcroft High and Ashcroft public school, who've donated 200 desks, chairs, books and chalk.

"Lovatt's Transport packed the container we're sending over free. PDL Shipping have sent it for nothing too. We've even got a company donating flour so the villages can have cakes for Christmas."

GREG Inglis has become the first footballer to take Queensland's top sporting gong - The Courier-Mail/Channel 7 Sports Star of the Year Award.

The Golden Boot winner was presented with award at a gala dinner at the Brisbane Convention Centre last week.

He is the first footballer to succeed since the award was inaugurated in 1995.

Inglis beat tennis ace Sam Stosur and six world champions - triathlete Emma Moffatt, lawn bowler Brett Wilkie, swimmer Jessicah Schipper, barefoot waterskiier Ashleigh Stebbeings, speedway's Jason Crump and surfer Stephanie Gilmore to claim the top title.

It has been the season to end all seasons for the footy genius, who was part of the Kangaroos' Four Nations triumph in England, the premiership-winning Storm side, and the record-breaking fourth-straight State of Origin series success with Queensland.

And in the individual stakes along with the Golden Boot - for world player of the year - he was named Four Nations player of the tournament, Queensland's man of the series, Dally M centre and representative player of the year.

Inglis joins the likes of elite swimmers Susie O'Neill, Grant Hackett, Stephanie Rice and Jodie Henry, motorcycle champ Mick Doohan, triathletes Loretta Harrop and Emma Snowsill, and sprinter Patrick Johnson on the honour roll.