NRL casualty ward round 22: Nathan Ross fractures back, avoids surgery

NEWCASTLE fullback Nathan Ross has been diagnosed with a fractured back following their NRL win over the Warriors on Saturday.

Nathan Ross has a fractured back.

NEWCASTLE fullback Nathan Ross has been diagnosed with a fractured back following their NRL win over the Warriors on Saturday.

The Knights’ first back-to-back victory in almost two years came at a heavy cost with the fan favourite going down with what appears to be a serious injury.

Ross was hospitalised and taken for scans after copping an accidental knee from Blake Ayshford with the club giving no timeline for his recovery.

“He was taken to hospital for scans, which confirmed a fracture of the L1 transverse process,” the club said in a statement.

“Ross’ injury will not require surgery.”

Ross has been one of the club’s best performers this year and his absence will leave the Knights with a gaping hole to fill with four games remaining.

Peter Mata’utia filled in at fullback during the second half against the Warriors while Dane Gagai has also played on occasions in the No.1 jumper over the last three seasons.

Nathan Ross goes off with a broken back.

ROUND 22 NRL CASUALTY WARD

BULLDOGS V EELS

Bevan French (hamstring) didn’t make it back after half time. Tepai Moeroa (ribs) was a pre-game withdrawal.

DRAGONS V RABBITOHS

Josh Dugan (ankle) came off in the 24th minute. “It looks pretty bad at the minute,” coach Paul McGregor said after the match. “It’s syndesmosis, so we’ll have to have a look in 48 hours when that swelling goes down. But it’s not good at the minute.” Russell Packer (knee) was a pre-game withdrawal and he is set to miss another fortnight. Jake Marketo (dangerous contact) can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.

COWBOYS V STORM

Gavin Cooper (calf) and Antonio Winterstein (hamstring) are facing extended stints on the sideline. Scott Bolton (elbow) played on due to lack of interchanges but is also in doubt for next week. Kane Linnett (dangerous contact) can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.

KNIGHTS V WARRIORS

Nathan Ross (fractured back) is out for the season. David Fusitu’a (concussion) failed a test and didn’t return. Chanel Mata’utua (tripping) escaped with a fine.

TITANS V BRONCOS

Ashley Taylor (knee) came off with a minor injury when the game was well out of reach. “He’s got a medial problem. I don’t think it’s too serious. He was certainly inconvenienced and we had Tryone (Roberts) sitting there. Hopefully he’ll be OK but he could miss next week.” Kevin Proctor (hamstring) was a pre-game withdrawal. Joe Ofahengaue (dangerous throw) is facing five weeks, reduced to three with an early guilty plea. James Roberts (contrary conduct) escaped with a fine.

SHARKS V RAIDERS

Jack Bird (shoulder) came from the field late with a dislocation. He was playing his first game back from a sternum injury. Wade Graham (dangerous throw) can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.

NRL CASUALTY WARD

SEA EAGLES V ROOSTERS

Opposing wingers Daniel Tupou (groin) and Matthew Wright (shoulder) both failed to finish following a heavy clash in the second half.

PANTHERS V TIGERS

Matt McIlwrick (dangerous throw) can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.

Nathan Ross down with a broken back.

Broncos

Joe Ofahengaue (Suspension, Indefinite)

Andrew McCullough (Knee, Indefinite)

Bulldogs

Greg Eastwood (Knee, Round 23)

Brad Abbey (Knee, Round 24)

Cowboys

Gavin Cooper (Calf, Indefinite)

Scott Bolton (Elbow, Indefinite)

Antonio Winterstein (Hamstring, Indefinite)

Josh Chudleigh (ACL, Season)

Matt Scott (ACL, Season)

Patrick Kaufusi (Foot, Season)

Johnathan Thurston (Shoulder, Season)

Ben Spina (Bicep, Season)

Dragons

Yaw Kiti Glymin (Shoulder, Indefinite)

Levi Dodd (Knee, Season)

Siliva Havili (Pectoral, Season)

Euan Aitken (Shoulder, Round 23)

Josh Dugan (Ankle, Indefinite)

Russell Packer (Knee, Round 25)

Eels

Isaac De Gois (Concussion, Season)

Kaysa Pritchard (Knee, Season)

Beau Scott (Bicep, Season)

Bevan French (Hamstring, Indefinite)

Clint Gutherson (ACL, Season)

Tepai Moeroa (Ribs, Indefinite)

Knights

David Bhana (Knee, Season)

Anthony Tupou (Hip, Indefinite)

Rory Kostjasyn (Throat, Season)

Jarrod Mullen (Drugs ban, Season)

Dylan Phythian (ACL, Season)

Josh Starling (Back, Indefinite)

Pauli Pauli (Leg fracture, Round 24)

Nathan Ross (Back fracture, Season)

Panthers

Sam McKendry (ACL, Season)

Matt Moylan (Hamstring, Round 23)

Trent Merrin (Knee, Round 24)

Leilani Latu (Broken jaw, Season)

Rabbitohs

Connor Tracey (ACL, Indefinite)

Greg Inglis (ACL, Season)

Aaron Gray (Achilles, Indefinite)

Raiders

Dunamis Lui (ACL, Season)

Sia Soliola (Suspension, Round 26)

Roosters

Daniel Tupou (Groin, Indefinite)

Michael Gordon (Pectoral, Round 25)

Jake Friend (Broken hand, Round 23)

Boyd Cordner (Calf, Round 23)

Sea Eagles

Jorge Taufua (ACL, Season)

Curtis Sironen (Pectoral, Round 26)

Matthew Wright (Shoulder, Indefinite)

Addin Fonua-Blake (Suspension, Round 23)

Sharks

Tony Williams (ACL, Season)

Jayden Brailey (Broken jaw, Indefinite)

James Maloney (Broken hand, Round 23)

Jack Bird (Shoulder, Indefinite)

Storm

Christian Welch (ACL, Season)

Cheyse Blair (Ankle, Season)

Brandon Smith (Wrist, Round 26)

Tohu Harris (Shoulder, Round 23)

Cameron Munster (Ankle, Round 23)

Tigers

Jamal Idris (ACL, Season)

Justin Hunt (Ankle, Indefinite)

Matt Ballin (Knee, Season)

Jacob Liddle (Shoulder, Indefinite)

Moses Suli (Ankle, Indefinite)

Titans

Konrad Hurrell (Hamstring, Round 25)

Chris McQueen (Neck, Indefinite)

Kevin Proctor (Hamstring, Indefinite)

Karl Lawton (Shoulder, Season)

Ashley Taylor (Knee, Round 23)

Chris Grevsmuhl (Shoulder, Indefinite)

Ryan Simpkins (ACL, Season)

Daniel Sarginson (Shoulder, Indefinite)

Warriors

Ryan Hoffman (Foot, Round 23)

Shaun Johnson (Knee, Round 26)

Albert Vete (Broken arm, Indefinite)

James Gavet (Broken arm, Indefinite)

Bodene Thompson (Pectoral, Season)

David Fusitu’a (Concussion, Indefinite)

Originally published as NRL casualty ward round 22: Nathan Ross fractures back, avoids surgery