NRL casualty ward Round 18: All weekend injuries in one spot
There were fears for the worst when Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner’s head slammed into the turf, just the latest in a series of head knocks.
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Trent Robinson is not concerned about Boyd Cordner’s physical health after he failed to return to the field on Saturday night.
The Roosters captain went down heavily midway through the first half in an attempt to score a try, and appeared to slam his head into the turf in the process.
He did not return after undergoing a HIA, but coach Robinson indicated this was more to do with the draining week Cordner had personally as he passed all the HIA testing in the sheds.
Cordner was not diagnosed with concussion and has been cleared to resume full training.
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There was significant early concern when Cordner left the field considering his history with concussion, having just recently returned from a five-week layoff due to two concussions suffered in quick succession earlier this season.
He will be monitored in the coming days for any potential symptoms, but there is no doubt the Roosters will take every precaution in his treatment with their exemplary track record of utmost care when it comes to brain injuries.
Further confirmation from the Roosters today that Boyd Cordner was not diagnosed with a concussion on Saturday night. Further monitoring/testing since has also gone well and he has been cleared to resume full training. Great news after initial concerns
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 14, 2020
MIXED NEWS FOR MANLY
Manly will head into Round 19 with some mixed news in the casualty ward, losing another player to a season ending injury but expected to welcome back some vital backline reinforcements.
Cade Cust was unable to finish the game after heavy contact from a tackler on his lower leg left him writhing in pain. He was carted off, with news post match he had suffered a season ending syndesmosis injury.
The traumatic nature of the contact and the fact he was unable to come from the field under his own power did bring concern for a high grade injury or a fracture, so Cust may have an extended recovery process ahead of him.
Addin Fonua-Blake is in some doubt for Round 19 after leaving the field with an aggravation of a PCL injury suffered last month. The damaging front-rower returned in record time for a high grade PCL injury, and whilst this was advantageous for the Sea Eagles at the time it comes with a higher risk of re-injury. If there is no further structural damage Fonua-Blake would be expected to miss a week at most.
The good news comes in the form of likely returns of Tom Trbojevic and Reuben Garrick. Trbojevic has spent the past 12 weeks in rehab for a grade two hamstring injury.
Whilst this usually allows a return in approximately six weeks, the Sea Eagles have taken extra time and precaution to ensure their star fullback’s risk of re-injury is as low as possible.
Any player returning from a hamstring strain has around a 9% chance of suffering a re-injury in their first match back, and this risk remains increased (albeit less than 9%) for 20 weeks. Overall hamstring strains have a re-injury rate of 10-30%, so it is vital that adequate rehab is undertaken. Considering this is Turbo’s third significant hamstring strain in 12 months it is great to see Manly taking the time to ensure a safe return.
YOUNG DOG’S SEASON IN DOUBT
A bittersweet involvement from Bulldogs rookie Matt Doorey has left him in doubt for the final two games. In scoring a try his knee slammed heavily into the turf, leaving the field not long after with a suspected PCL injury.
Whilst he returned to the sideline in the second half with his knee strapped, he was unable to prove his fitness to return. Even a minor PCL injury would leave him in significant doubt to return within the next two weeks.
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CONCUSSION DISRUPTION ROCKS ROUND
A round of many HIAs, with Api Koroisau, Spencer Leniu, Josh Kerr, Billy Brittain and Elijah Taylor all unable to return to the field in their respective games after suffering concussions.
All players will have to pass through the NRL’s six stage concussion protocol in order to return to play. Elijah Taylor will be one to watch closely as he has a well-documented history with concussion, and extra precaution may be taken by the Tigers.
The Panthers have indicated they could rest players for next weekend’s trip to North Queensland, so Koroisau and Leniu may be given the added time to pass through the protocols.
Fantastic from Ryan Matterson, showing care for an opposition player (Koroisau) who was clearly affected by a blow to the head. Such a positive gesture for player safety from a guy who has a complex history with concussion himself. Hope Koroisau is OK pic.twitter.com/Enxll98Qun
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 11, 2020
NRL CASUALTY WARD
Brisbane Broncos
Jamil Hopoate (suspension, round 20)
Jordan Riki (suspension, round 20)
Jake Turpin (hand, round 20)
Keenan Palasia (knee, indefinite)
Thomas Flegler (shoulder, indefinite)
Anthony Milford (hamstring, season)
Tevita Pangai jnr (stood down, season)
Tesi Nui (wrist, season)
Matt Lodge (knee, season)
Jack Bird (ACL, season)
Canberra Raiders
Sia Soliola (facial fracture, round 19)
Curtis Scott (leg, round 19)
Michael Oldfield (thumb, round 20)
Corey Horsburgh (foot, indefinite)
Emre Guler (ankle, indefinite)
Sebastian Kris (personal leave, indefinite)
Andre Niko (knee, season)
Josh Hodgson (knee, season)
Bailey Simonsson (shoulder, season)
Canterbury Bulldogs
Luke Thompson (calf, round 19)
Matt Doorey (knee, TBC)
Dylan Napa (knee, season)
Ofahiki Ogden (cheekbone, season)
Joe Stimson (shoulder, season)
Adam Elliott (shoulder, season)
Kieran Foran (pectoral, season)
Cronulla Sharks
Shaun Johnson (groin/hamstring, round 18)
Sione Katoa (chest, round 18)
Jackson Ferris (knee, round 18-19)
Wade Graham (suspension, round 20)
Chad Townsend (suspension, finals)
Matt Moylan (hamstring, indefinite)
Bronson Xerri (suspended, indefinite)
Cameron King (ACL, season)
Gold Coast Titans
Kevin Proctor (suspension, round 19)
Beau Fermor (hamstring, TBC)
Keegan Hipgrave (calf, round 19)
Nathan Peats (calf, round 19)
Brian Kelly (ankle, round 19-20)
Jaimin Jolliffe (ankle, season)
Ryan James (knee, season)
Dale Copley (pectoral, season)
Manly Sea Eagles
Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 19-20)
Addin Fonua-Blake (knee, TBC)
Jack Gosiewski (head knock)
Reuben Garrick (shoulder, round 19-20)
Dylan Walker (foot, round 20)
Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder)
Josh Schuster (ankle, season)
Cade Cust (ankle, season)
Jorge Taufua (ruptured Achilles, season)
Joel Thompson (ankle, season)
Brendan Elliot (knee, season)
Moses Suli (foot, season)
Melbourne Storm
Suliasi Vunivalu (jaw, round 18)
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (calf, round 18)
Tom Eisenhuth (calf, round 18)
Ryan Papenhuyzen (Achilles, round 19)
Christian Welch (suspension, round 19)
Brandon Smith (jaw, finals)
Dale Finucane (calf, finals)
Tui Kamikamica (lower back, finals)
Paul Momirovski (finger, finals)
Marion Seve (knee, season)
Newcastle Knights
Phoenix Crossland (head knock, round 19)
Kalyn Ponga (rested, round 19)
Mitchell Barnett (rested, round 19)
Hymel Hunt (rested, round 19)
Bradman Best (ankle, round 19-20)
Tim Glasby (concussion, indefinite)
Andrew McCullough (hamstring, season)
Connor Watson (Achilles, season)
Jayden Brailey (knee, season)
Blake Green (knee, season)
North Queensland Cowboys
Coen Hess (suspension, round 18)
Murray Taulagi (knee, round 18)
Jason Taumalolo (calf, round 20)
Michael Morgan (calf, round 20)
Reece Robson (hamstring, season)
Parramatta Eels
Reed Mahoney (shoulder, round 19)
Marata Niukore (rib, TBC)
Dylan Brown (ankle, finals)
Peni Terepo (personal leave, indefinite)
Penrith Panthers
Spencer Leniu (head knock)
Api Koroisau (head knock)
Charlie Staines (hamstring, round 18)
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tevita Tatola (knee, TBC)
Jack Johns (finger, round 19)
Hame Sele (shoulder, finals)
James Roberts (pectoral, finals)
Ethan Lowe (neck, season)
Tom Amone (knee, season)
Braidon Burns (knee, season)
Latrell Mitchell (hamstring, season)
St George Illawarra Dragons
Billy Brittain (head knock)
Josh Kerr (head knock)
Trent Merrin (hamstring, round 19)
Tariq Sims (shoulder, round 20)
Jack de Belin (stood down)
Korbin Sims (calf, season)
Sydney Roosters
Boyd Cordner (head knock)
Matt Ikuvalu (ankle, round 18)
Lachlan Lam (ankle, indefinite)
Victor Radley (knee, season)
Sam Verrills (knee, season)
Billy Smith (knee, season)
Warriors
Nathaniel Roache (knee, round 19)
Eliesa Katoa (hand, round 20/season)
Patrick Herbert (hamstring, round 19)
Leeson Ah Mau (pectoral, indefinite)
Rocco Berry (back, indefinite)
Leivaha Pulu (compassionate leave, season)
Agnatius Paasi (compassionate leave, season)
David Fusitu’a (compassionate leave, season)
Ken Maumalo (compassionate leave, season)
King Vuniyayawa (compassionate leave, season)
Taane Milne (knee, season)
Jackson Frei (knee, season)
Bunty Afoa (knee, season)
Selestino Ravutaumada (season)
Wests Tigers
Zane Musgrove (foot, round 19)
Billy Walters (knee, season)
Originally published as NRL casualty ward Round 18: All weekend injuries in one spot