Improving prop Nick Kenny is hungry for more physical action after revelling in his first run on game for Brisbane in three years against Melbourne.

After 17 games off the bench since his debut against Cronulla in 2005, the part-time physiotherapist inflicted some damage of his own on the Storm with 30 tackles and 10 hit ups on a tough night at Olympic Park.

His efforts have been rewarded with coach Wayne Bennett booking him for another tough starting assignment against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.

"I loved starting, it was such a great feeling," said Kenny after waiting three seasons for the experience.

"When you're a front-rower you want to be out there for those first 10 or 15 minutes when it's fast and physical to help set the mood.

"You're like every player, you prepare all week, go through the warm up on match day and then you just want to go out and rip in.

"It can be frustrating for a front rower sitting on the bench early when it's physical, you want to be on there when it's rough and tough."

Kenny said while the players put in against Melbourne last Friday night, the team's intensity may have dipped slightly on its previous three weeks.

"It was a very high quality game and the boys all put in," said the 25 year-old forward from Rockhampton.

"The effort was there but at times our execution probably let us down."

Centre Justin Hodges (hamstring) was a big loss, his bottling defence and high work rate out of dummy half sorely missed with Melbourne attacking his side all night.

So were the efforts of busy hooker PJ Marsh (rib) who remains in extreme doubt for Sunday's clash with the Knights.

"Hodgo is a great player and he offers us that extra dimension in attack which was probably missing against Melbourne," said Kenny.

"Sunday will be another big test for us.

"I remember as kid visiting my great grandmother with my dad in Newcastle when the Knights won the premiership how passionate their fans were.

"I've heard lots about playing at Newcastle and their fans and I'm really looking forward to the experience."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP