Round 3 judiciary/injury list: Sharks cautiously optimistic on return of Matt Moylan
Footy is back this weekend and Cronulla fans have an extra reason to be excited with positive news emerging from the Shire about the fitness of a key attacking weapon.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After a number of hamstring and calf issues over the past few seasons, the Sharks are hopeful of having Matt Moylan available next week as he continues to get his body right for NRL level football.
The Sharks fullback was said to be suffering from a calf injury during the pre-season which kept him out of the opening 2 rounds, and while the season break has been of great benefit to him the Sharks are still being conservative with his return to the field.
The NRL is back! You can catch all the action on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Considering Moylan’s extensive history with lower body muscle strains a conservative approach is great to see; the last thing the Sharks and their fans want is Moylan back on the sidelines during the 2020 season with a recurrence of a calf or hamstring injury.
While it would be disappointing if Moylan is unable to take the field for Round 3 after two additional months to further his rehab progress, the Sharks are confident he isn’t far from a return.
GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR WOUNDED WARRIOR
After great personal sacrifice to help the NRL season get back up and running, the Warriors have cruelly been hit with the most significant injury toll just a week out from Round 3.
First there was news of a pectoral injury for Leeson Ah Mau. Scans confirmed the worst case scenario, with a complete pec rupture requiring surgery and an expected 4 month recovery period. Ah Mau will travel back to New Zealand after surgery, and this separation from the medical staff along with coronavirus imposed limitations left the Warriors predicting a season ending recovery period for their starting front rower.
But there is hope, with many pec ruptures in the NRL allowing a return within 10-14 weeks. Rehab restrictions may delay this process slightly, but it would not be surprising to see Ah Mau return in the latter stages of the season.
The bad news kept coming after Jazz Tevaga and Adam Keighran suffered respective knee injuries at training, with initial fears suggesting both players were looking at potential long term recovery periods. Thankfully better than expected news came courtesy of scan results, with season ending damage having been avoided.
Tevaga is currently in a knee brace, and while the exact nature of his injury is yet to be revealed he is reportedly hopeful of missing just a few weeks. The prognosis is slightly worse for Keighran, who will undergo surgery on a meniscus injury and tibia fracture that will require 8 weeks on the sideline.
FIFITA A FEW WEEKS AWAY YET
David Fifita isn’t expected to return until Round 6 as he continues his rehab from meniscus repair surgery. While he is expected to come out of his knee brace next week there are still significant boxes to tick with return to running, change of direction and contact training.
This usually requires at least a month of rehab to progress through appropriately, so a return from Round 6 on appears achievable. This falls in the usual recovery range for meniscus repair surgery (3-4 months), with Round 6 marking approximately 12 weeks post surgery for Fifita and the Broncos have indicated they expect him to be available for “a large chunk” of the remaining 18 games.
GOOD, AND BAD, NEWS ON FORAN INJURY ISSUES
Kieran Foran has a review with his shoulder surgeon on Tuesday to seek final clearance to return to the field for Round 3. The Bulldogs half has been completing full contact training well and feels confident after a 6 month recovery period.
There will be minimal concern for a reinjury of his shoulder, with the failure rate for shoulder reconstructions being extremely low (
However, reports came through this week of a hamstring “twinge” suffered at training, which considering Foran’s extensive history with hamstring strains does bring cause for concern. The Bulldogs are said to be confident in Foran’s fitness if he gains final clearance from the shoulder specialist; hopefully the high recurrence rate of hamstring injuries can be avoided here.
COVID SHUTDOWN DELAYS MORGAN RETURN AT COWBOYS
Michael Morgan took the opportunity during the season break to have minor shoulder surgery that he was hoping to recover from in time to lead the Cowboys out in Round 3. Unfortunately this hasn’t proven to be the case, with an expected return date now pushed back to Round 6-7. Another example of the value players get from top of the line treatment and rehab at NRL clubs, with restrictions during coronavirus isolation resulting in delayed returns across the game.
RAIDERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK FOR BATEMAN
John Bateman is expected to be unavailable for the Raiders in Round 3 as they ensure his shoulder is completely recovered from offseason surgery. Initially expected to be fit for a return in April, Bateman has openly admitted the coronavirus restrictions set his rehab back significantly. Thankfully the Raiders won’t have to perform without him for too long; it is hoped he will return in Round 4.
MIXED NEWS FOR RABBITOHS FORWARDS
At the Rabbitohs two forwards jostling for bench spots had mixed injury news during the week. Hame Sele suffered a minor hamstring strain, and with a usual recovery period of 2-4 weeks he is expected to miss at least a few games. Thankfully Patrick Mago is flying in his recovery from a pec rupture repair, and he is expected to be available for selection in Round 3.
TITANS ENFORCER BEATS JUDICIARY CHARGE
Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika is free to face North Queensland next week after being found not guilty of dangerous contact at the NRL judiciary.
Fotuaika risked a one-game suspension for his shot on Parramatta star Mitchell Moses in their round-two match before the season was suspended by COVID-19.
Fotuaika was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact charge for the 30th minute incident, which came after Moses passed the ball on the last tackle.
However a three-person panel on Tuesday night found the 20-year-old not guilty, freeing him to face the Cowboys when the season resumes next week. The hearing was the first to be challenged at the NRL judiciary this season, as well as the first under the new coronavirus guidelines.
The new conditions stipulate that all players challenging charges will appear via video link, while judiciary representatives could also appear remotely.
Fotuaika’s inclusion for the Titans is a huge boost for coach Justin Holbrook, who is already without boom fullback AJ Brimson indefinitely due to injury.
Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga (one game) and Eels lock Nathan Brown (two games) were the only players banned from round two incidents.
MONTOYA OUT FOR THREE MONTHS
Canterbury winger Marcelo Montoya’s wretched month has continued with the NRL flyer ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a hamstring tear.
Just weeks after being forced to move out of home under the game’s biosecurity rules, given his mother works in aged care, Montoya was hurt at training last week.
Scans have confirmed a grade-two tear, meaning he will be sidelined for between eight to 12 weeks.
In the worst-case scenario, Montoya won’t be available for the Bulldogs again until the final month of the regular season.
Montoya had already missed the opening two rounds of the season with a knee injury suffered midway through last year, which ultimately ended his 2019 season.
He had hoped to return when the Bulldogs’ returned to action against Manly on May 30.
His latest setback comes as a significant blow to Canterbury’s backline stocks. They had already lost Jayden Okunbor before the season, with his contract deregistered by the NRL after the schoolgirl sex scandal.
The powerful winger has since launched an appeal against the ban, with the incident also costing back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera his contract. Canterbury played Nick Meaney and Christian Crichton on the wing in their opening two losses of 2020, and will now almost certainly stick with the duo.
MAHONEY’S MIRACULOUS RECOVERY
Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney is back running again just eight weeks after breaking his foot in the round 2 win over Gold Coast.
And teammate Dylan Brown said Mahoney was on track to potentially return for the Eels’ first game when the competition resumes in a fortnight.
“He (Reed) has been out running and doing quite a lot,” Brown said.
“He is still bringing a positive vibe to training, even though he keeps getting hammered from all the boys for doing absolutely nothing.
“He has just got to live with that, but he is on track and I think he will be back soon.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure if he will return (on the weekend of May 28), but he is looking good.”
Ray Stone has previously been anointed by Parramatta coach Brad Arthur as Mahoney’s replacement.
Stone has played just seven NRL matches and averaged 22 minutes last season in six appearances off the bench.
- Matt Logue
TOWNSEND READY FOR NRL RESUMPTION
Cronulla Sharks halfback Chad Townsend has declared he will be fit for the competition’s resumption despite dislocating and fracturing his left thumb at training this week.
Townsend was on restricted duties on Wednesday after X-rays revealed a tiny fracture.
He experienced light pain while completing passing drills, but is adamant that he will he fit for Cronulla’s first game.
“I’ve just got to look after it in the next week and a bit,” Townsend said.
“I dislocated it at training on Monday.
“I just got it caught up in a shirt of one of the boys during the first day back of contact.
“I then pulled it back in myself, so it has a bit of swelling there.
“But it is feeling better and I should be right.
Chad Townsend suffered a small fracture of his thumb after dislocating it this week. Strapping supporting end of thumb: likely distal thumb joint (IP) dislocation. Common for quick return, usually within 1-2 weeks provided inflammation settles. Should be fine for Rd3 in 2.5 weeks pic.twitter.com/oaJP7HvyNS
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 13, 2020
“I was able to do some catching and passing today with a little bit of pain, but nothing too serious.
“Hopefully it continues to get better and I’ll be ready to go for round 3.”
Meanwhile, Sharks centre Josh Dugan didn’t train as precaution on Wednesday due to a sore throat.
Under the NRL’s strict isolation bubble rules for clubs, Dugan can’t return to training until Friday.
—Matt Logue
BRIMSON SUFFERS SETBACK
The COVID-19 enforced NRL shutdown was not kind to all players in the casualty ward, with AJ Brimson’s lower back stress fracture having progressed to a true fracture in recent times. This is the exact situation the Titans were trying to avoid when they discovered the stress fracture in the pre-season, with Brimson undergoing a strict rehab program at the time to minimise and control his training loads.
This effectively means a small crack (stress fracture) in Brimson’s spine has progressed to more of a break (true fracture), which requires an extensive recovery period to allow for adequate bone healing.
Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
A true fracture in the lower back can result in spondylolisthesis, which is a slippage of one vertebrae on another. Thankfully even if this occurs the soft tissue around the bones tend to form restraints, and even though the vertebrae may have moved it is usually functionally stable. This would mean surgery is very unlikely to be required and Brimson’s long term prospects are positive.
Recovery time is quite varied in these cases, with the specific location and severity of the fracture playing significant roles. Titans coach Justin Holbrook indicated “it can heal quicker if it becomes a full fracture”, which is likely indicative of the slight difference in rehab approach if a true fracture occurs (initial relative rest) compared to a stress fracture alone (more loading).
Commonly the best treatment in these cases is conservative management through load modification, monitoring symptoms (e.g. pain) and a gradual return to loading. Full recovery usually occurs in months rather than weeks, with 3-6 months being the most common time frame. The Titans don’t expect Brimson back until August at the earliest.
Matt Lodge has been cleared to return 80 days after suffering a partial ACL tear. Specialist indicated his knee is functional and stable & will not require surgery. Fantastic rehab effort, would expect him to be included in the Broncos Round 3 sidehttps://t.co/y3cAOc6Ogd
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 8, 2020
GOOD NEWS AT BRONCOS
Despite the loss of Fifita the news out of the season break is mostly positive for the Broncos, with Matt Lodge (partial ACL tear), Corey Oates (rib), Brodie Croft (AC joint), Jordan Kahu (AC joint reconstruction) and Alex Glenn (hamstring) all expected to be fit for Round 3.
This week Lodge was cleared to return to the field 80 days after suffering a partial ACL tear in the pre-season. While injury involving the three most dreaded letters in the NRL injury dictionary, ACL, often results in surgery and a 6+ month recovery period, Lodge was able to complete a successful rehab program and avoid the worst case scenario.
A knee with a partially torn ACL can still maintain its stability and function in some cases, and thankfully for Lodge his latest review with knee specialist Tim McMeniman suggested he is a really good chance of avoiding further injury to his ACL moving forward. A return in Round 3 for Lodge would be just over 3 months post injury, which falls in the usual range of 2-4 months.
FIFITA’S ONGOING ISSUES
Andrew Fifita said last month he is taking a “massive risk” by still playing considering the health of his left knee. The Sharks forward believes he is well qualified to medically retire, but not personally ready to at this stage.
It is well documented Fifita has been managing an ongoing knee injury for the past few seasons, and he is aiming to further change his lifestyle, training loads and preparation for games.
Still Fifita’s recent knee injury history does bring cause for concern. His left knee is PCL deficient (he plays without a PCL after tearing it years ago), and it is to this knee he suffered severe bone bruising in 2018 and aggravated the same injury in 2019. He also underwent multiple surgical procedures, involving clean outs and stem cell injections, prior to both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
This injury pattern along with surgery types suggest Fifita is dealing with degenerative changes in his knee which need to be carefully managed to keep him on the park. While this was evident in the opening rounds with his usual high work rate and game time reduced, the season break along with reduction to 20 games will be extremely beneficial for him. Monitoring overall load on the knee is once again extremely important in these cases, and this disrupted shortened season may be just what Fifita needs to avoid medical retirement any time soon.
MORE CONTENT
* Full list of KFC SuperCoach rule changes
* Early Mail: Wacko’s predicted teams for Round 3
* Cheapie Bible: Bargains to target in Round 3
* Analysis: Winners and losers from the shutdown
BULLDOGS FORWARDS SIDELINED
While the Bulldogs will be getting Foran back soon, they have still been hit hard on the injury front with Joe Stimson and Chris Smith facing further time on the sideline.
Smith will miss at least 2-3 more games after complications arising from MCL reconstruction surgery. After completing tearing his MCL and partially tearing his ACL during the All Stars game earlier this year there were fears he could miss the season. Thankfully he was able to avoid an ACL reconstruction but the MCL reconstruction he did require has still resulted in a lengthy recovery.
Isolated MCL tears can often be treated conservatively and allow a return in 6-8 weeks, which we have seen recently in the NRL from players like Nathan Cleary and Jason Taumalolo. Unfortunately for Smith the severity of his injury along with damage to secondary structures required surgical intervention, which comes with added risks of complication such as infection.
Stimson won’t be seen for the Bulldogs again in 2020 as he faces a two stage shoulder reconstruction due to a tear in his shoulder joint sustained in Round 2.
This type of shoulder reconstruction (two separate surgical procedures) usually requires added time for recovery and healing in the initial stages of rehab. Stimson is expected to miss 5-6 months, effectively ending his season.
BRAILEY SENT FOR SEASON
After undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery Jayden Brailey is another player whose season is over after just two rounds. With ACL ruptures managed surgically requiring at least six months before a return to the field it was always going to be a long shot for the Knights hooker to return in 2020.
There was some hope if the season was scheduled to continue through to November or December Brailey may have made a late push to feature, but with the season due to wrap up in October he will now set his sights on Round 1 2021.
BARNETT EYES RETURN
Mitch Barnett underwent surgery on his neck in April after bulging discs caused him to lose feeling in his right arm. In what initially was hoped to be a burner or stinger, the forceful compression of Barnett’s head towards his right shoulder caused significant injury to his neck.
The surgery Barnett required was an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, which involves removal of the injured disc that is compressing the nerve while a plate is applied to the front of the spine to allow the bones to fuse.
While the requirement for any neck surgery brings obvious concern the good news for Barnett and the Knights is this particular procedure has a relatively high success rate. Barnett had reportedly regained feeling in his arm immediately after surgery and at latest estimates was hoping to return at 11-12 weeks post surgery (Round 6). Usual recovery time is 12-14 weeks.
KEY DRAGON BACK ON DECK
Sitting at 0-2 the Dragons need some good news, and it comes in the form of their injury list. Of their regular starting 17 Cameron McInnes is the only injury concern after he suffered a high grade MCL injury in the NRL Nines.
Thankfully the Dragons hooker and captain completed his final stage of rehab on the day the season was postponed and was on track to play the Raiders in the “original” Round 3. He will be ready to lead the Dragons out for the season resumption.
LIGHT AT END OF TUNNEL FOR PACKER
After an injury saga spanning over a year, Russell Packer and the Tigers can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel after the front row forward resumed running pain free in recent times.
Unsuccessful surgery on a toe fracture had Packer considering retirement over the off-season, but further surgery to address a nerve issue brought considerably more positive results. The Tigers aren’t putting a time frame on his recovery at this stage, with nerve pain notorious for lingering and acute aggravations.
FAINU’S SURGICAL WOES
Manase Fainu is already unavailable after being stood down due to a police charges over an incident at a church dance last year. However even if this is resolved during the 2020 season the Manly hooker will not be fit to play after undergoing a third surgical procedure on his left shoulder in nine months.
After shoulder reconstruction surgery late last year Fainu suffered a post-operative infection (golden staph) which required further surgery to “clean out” the joint. Over time the infection ate away at the bone and cartilage in his shoulder, and took over three months to clear completely from the joint itself.
With the infection finally gone, Fainu had another shoulder reconstruction surgery this week that involved the use of bone grafts from his hip to provide a deeper socket and stabilise the joint. In positive news this surgery type generally has a low failure rate (re-dislocation), but unfortunately with the complex nature of Fainu’s case he is facing a likely 6-9 month recovery period.
After shoulder reconstruction surgery late last year Manase Fainu suffered an infection (staph), which required further surgery to “clean out†the joint. Then over time the infection ate away bone & cartilage in the shoulder, & took over 3 months to clear from the joint pic.twitter.com/8aNWBMdF40
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 8, 2020
RISKY BUSINESS FOR NRL ELITE
Overall the return to NRL action will be quite a unique scenario from an injury prevention standpoint, with the players required to ramp training back up in as little as two and a half weeks and be ready for full games.
This presents many challenges to the medical and performance staff at NRL clubs, who have no doubt been planning meticulously to ensure players are at the lowest possible risk to suffer preventable injuries.
One scenario similar to the current suspension of the NRL season that could provide some insight to the challenges the players and clubs are facing was the NFL lockout in 2011. NFL players during this time had limited access to healthcare/conditioning professionals and team facilities, and after a four-month period of “uncommon off-season” they went through a rapid transition (17 days) to the start of games.
Researchers chose Achilles ruptures as an injury to monitor and compare to previous seasons. Immediately after a return to “normal” proceedings there was a considerable number of Achilles injuries in NFL players, with 12 ruptures occurring in the first 29 days after the lockout ended. This was especially significant when compared to the total number of Achilles ruptures from the two seasons prior (16 ruptures over the entire two year period).
It will be very interesting to follow injury rates over the next two months with a similar rapid transition scheduled for the players before the NRL season returns.
FULL CASUALTY WARD
BRISBANE BRONCOS
David Fifita (Knee, Round 6-7)
Brodie Croft (AC joint, Round 3)
Corey Oates (Ribs, Round 3)
Joe Ofahengaue (Disciplinary suspension, Round 3)
Alex Glenn (Hamstring, Round 3)
Matt Lodge (Partial ACL tear, Round 3)
Jack Bird (ACL, season)
Tevita Pangai (Suspension, Round 6)
Jordan Kahu (Shoulder, Mid-season)
Sean O’Sullivan (ACL, Mid-season)
Keenan Palasia (ACL, Late-season)
Izaia Perese (Stood down)
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Marcelo Montoya (Hamstring, Round 14)
Chris Smith (Knee, Round 5-10)
Kieran Foran (Shoulder, Round 3-4)
Kerrod Holland (Knee, Round 3)
Joe Stimson (Shoulder, Season)
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Michael Morgan (Shoulder, Round 6-7)
ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Korbin Sims (Arm, Round 3)
Cameron McInnes (Knee, Round 3)
Jack de Belin (Stood down)
Mikaele Ravalawa (Thigh, Round 3)
Tariq Sims (Suspension, Round 3)
PARRAMATTA EELS
Nathan Brown (Suspension, Round 5)
Reed Mahoney (Foot, Round 3-5)
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Kalyn Ponga (Suspension, Round 4)
Phoenix Crossland (Groin, Round 3)
Bradman Best (Fractured foot, Round 3)
Sione Mata’utia (Knee, Round 3)
Herman Ese’ese (ankle, Round 3)
Mitch Barnett (Shoulder/neck, Round 7)
Jayden Brailey (ACL, Season)
PENRITH PANTHERS
Nathan Cleary (Suspension, Round 5)
Tyrone May (Suspension, Round 8)
Dylan Edwards (Ankle, Round 3)
Kurt Capewell (Quad strain, Round 3)
Mitch Kenny (Elbow, Round 3)
Shaun Blore (ACL, Round 3)
Spencer Leniu (Knee, Round 3)
Jack Hetherington (Suspension, Round 4)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Patrick Mago (Pectoral, Round 3)
Hame Sele (Hamstring, Round 4-5)
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Siliva Havili (Hamstring, Round 3)
Hudson Young (Suspension, Round 6)
John Bateman (Shoulder, Round 4)
Sebastian Kris (Extended leave, Indefinite)
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Nat Butcher (Load management, Round 3)
Sitili Tupouniua (Knee, Indefinite)
Boyd Cordner (Rested, Round 3)
Billy Smith (ACL, Season)
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Sean Keppie (Concussion, Round 3)
Brad Parker (Concussion, Round 3)
Taniela Paseka (Ankle, Round 3)
Corey Waddell (Hamstring, Round 3)
Tony Williams (Hamstring, Round 3)
Jack Gosiewski (Back disc infection, Round 3)
Albert Hopoate (Knee, Round 4)
Manase Fainu (Stood down/shoulder, Indefinite)
CRONULLA SHARKS
Briton Nikora (Knee, Round 3)
Wade Graham (Foot, Round 3)
Bronson Xerri (Shoulder, Round 3)
Josh Dugan (Knee, Round 3)
Matt Moylan (Calf, Round 3)
Cameron King (ACL, Season)
MELBOURNE STORM
Brandon Smith (Facial fracture, Round 3)
GOLD COAST TITANS
AJ Brimson (Back, Indefinite)
Shannon Boyd (Shoulder, Round 3)
Kevin Proctor (Hamstring, Round 3)
Tyrone Roberts (Ankle, Round 3)
Dale Copley (Ribs, Round 3)
Beau Fermor (Knee, Early-to-mid season)
Keegan Hipgrave (Repeated concussions, Indefinite)
Ryan James (ACL, Season)
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Leeson Ah Mau (Pectoral, Round 16)
Jazz Tevaga (Knee, Indefinite)
Eliesa Katoa (Concussion, Round 3)
Taane Milne (ACL, Season)
Josh Curran (Calf, Round 3)
Agnatius Paasi (Ankle, Round 3)
Gerard Beale (Knee, Round 3)
Nathaniel Roache (Knee, Round 3)
Jackson Frei (ACL, Season)
Bunty Afoa (ACL, Season)
WESTS TIGERS
Luke Brooks (Calf, Round 3)
Moses Mbye (Knee, Round 3)
Thomas Mikaele (Knee, Round 3)
Jacob Liddle (Knee, Indefinite)
Russell Packer (Foot, Indefinite)
Originally published as Round 3 judiciary/injury list: Sharks cautiously optimistic on return of Matt Moylan