A foot injury will delay Tohu Harris’ start to the 2017 season after scans during the week confirmed a stress fracture in his left foot.

The New Zealand International will miss approximately the first eight weeks of the season after sustaining the injury in Storm’s final trial match of pre-season against the Bulldogs in Hobart.

Harris’ durability and reliability has been a feature of his game since entering first-grade - the 25-year old has only missed one match since making his NRL debut in 2013.

Melbourne will open the 2017 NRL season with back-to-back away games against the Bulldogs and Warriors starting next Friday 3 March before returning to AAMI Park in Round 3 for a blockbuster home game against the Broncos on Thursday 16 March.