NRL Casualty Ward: Raider star Josh Hodgson out for season, Brian To’o’s major injury blow

Josh Hodgson has played his last game for Canberra in a devastating blow for the club, while the Panthers have suffered a big injury setback.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 03: Marata Niukore of the Eels looks dejected after the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium on October 03, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Parramatta recruit Josh Hodgson has played his last game for Canberra. The Raiders on Monday confirmed that Hodgson would have surgery on his knee this week and miss the remainder of the season, ending his time in the nation’s capital on a sombre note.

Canberra club doctor Greg Macleod said further scans had been taken of the knee Hodgson injured in round one and the decision has been made for him to have surgery.

“Josh’s knee injury sustained in round one was a minor injury, however his return to training has since uncovered some instability in his knee which appears to have caused his current injury,” Macleod said.

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Josh Hodgson has played his last game in a Raiders jersey. Picture: NRL Photos

“After further scans and diagnosis, the decision has been made that it’s the club’s duty of care to Josh for him to have an ACL reconstruction due to a partial tear in his ACL and associated injuries.

“Whilst the club and Josh were optimistic that the injury could be rehabbed without surgery, it is with much considered thought that surgery is the best option for Josh’s long-term health and rugby league career.”

Hodgson was devastated at the news and said he would be forever grateful for the opportunity the Raiders had given him.

“It’s certainly not the way I wanted to finish up at Canberra. After a disappointing year last year, it was probably the best I’ve felt this year in terms of my body, and I was feeling really fit and really fresh after a good pre-season with no internationals and no rehab,” Hodgson said.

Hodgson’s injury is a major blow for Ricky Stuart and the Raiders. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

“To do it in such a minor way and sustain such a big injury is really frustrating,” Hodgson said. “I’ve really found a home away from home here in Canberra and I absolutely love the place. It means as much to me as my hometown club and I’ll be forever grateful to call myself Raider number #325.

“I’m gutted to go out like this, but I’ll be doing everything I can to support the boys before I leave at the end of the year.”

Hodgson has signed a two-year deal to join the Eels from the start of 2023.

Panthers star’s major injury blow

Brian To’o has been cleared of a season-ending knee injury but is still expected to spend time on the sidelines.

Officials feared To’o had torn his ACL but scans on Saturday cleared him of significant injury. He will find out on Monday how many matches he will miss but he could be sidelined for four to six weeks with a medial injury.

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To’o tried to play on with the injury but limped from the field after 48 minutes. He struggled to walk on Saturday and underwent scans.

Teammate James Fisher-Harris also underwent scans on Saturday but remains hopeful his shoulder complaint would not result in a long stint on the sidelines.

The news was better for St George Illawarra’s Andrew McCullough who avoided serious injury and is on outside chance of returning on Thursday night.

Brian To’o, right, is facing four to six weeks on the sideline with a knee injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Fisher-Harris played just 25 minutes before succumbing to a shoulder injury. Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo said it would be a blow if both players were missing.

“They are both tough players,” Yeo said on ABC Sport. “It’s not ideal. I won’t be speculating. They are important players in our team.”

In a further blow for the Panthers, Scott Sorensen injured his wrist and is also in minor doubt to play the Knights next week. He could join Moses Leota on the sideline. Leota will miss two months after suffering a shoulder injury in round one.

The Panthers pulled J’maine Hopgood from their NSW Cup clash on Saturday as cover for their wounded forward pack.

Robert Jennings is the front-runner to replace To’o while Taylan May is another option. Both played on Saturday.

James Fisher-Harris is awaiting the results of scans on his shoulder. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Despite the premiers growing casualty ward they are set to resist the temptation in rushing Nathan Cleary back into the squad to play his first game of the season.

Cleary is still on track to return in the grand final rematch against South Sydney in round four.

“Ivan said no (after the game) for next week but he is still on track for round four,” Yeo said. “He is doing most of the stuff we’re doing on the field. He has been doing the majority of training last couple of months.

“They’ve said all along they will take a conservative approach.”

Moses Mbye is expected to fill McCullough’s void despite fears he had suffered a serious elbow injury. Scans cleared McCullough of a fracture but the short-turnaround is expected to cost him or Aaron Woods (hamstring) a chance of playing on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Victor Radley was cleared by the match review committee after being placed on report during the Roosters’ win against Manly. Returning St George Illawarra prop George Burgess was the only player charged but he will be fined.

The Roosters are confident Connor Watson (shoulder) avoided serious injury.

Dragons hooker Andrew McCullough has been cleared of serious injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

FRESH BODY BLOW FOR EELS

The Eels injury run continues with the loss of one of their most damaging forwards for up to a month.

Marata Niukore is set to miss the next three to four weeks following a calf injury suffered last week at training.

In his final season before joining the Warriors next year, Niukore’s omission is a body blow for Eels coach Brad Arthur, who is also without backrower Ryan Matterson for the next three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Sean Russell (punctured lung), Maika Sivo (knee) and Hayze Dunster (knee) are also on the club’s injured list.

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward: Raider star Josh Hodgson out for season, Brian To’o’s major injury blow