NRL Casualty Ward: David Fifita cops two-match ban

The Gold Coast will have to face the undefeated Panthers without their greatest strike weapon. Check out the latest injury and suspension news.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: David Fifita of the Titans is tackled during the round nine NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Gold Coast Titans at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, on May 08, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Gold Coast Titans will face the undefeated Panthers this weekend without their greatest strike weapon, David Fifita.

Fifita was suspended for two games on Tuesday night after he attempted to have a grade-two careless high-tackle charge downgraded.

Represented by Titans high performance senior advisor Mal Meninga, Fifita’s case took just 20 minutes before it was decided his shot on Tigers player Adam Doueihi warranted the ban.

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David Fifita will sit out next weekend’s clash against the Panthers.

Fifita could have accepted a one-match ban with an early guilty plea, but will now be sidelined for both the clash with the unbeaten Panthers and the Titans’ next match against the bottom-placed Bulldogs.

It’s a bitter blow for the Gold Coast, who currently sit seventh on the table with a 4-5 record, ahead of the Sea Eagles, the Knights and the Cowboys on points.

Shock candidate to lead Broncos

Kevin Walters faces a captaincy dilemma ahead of this weekend’s Magic Round match against Manly, with both skipper Alex Glenn and stand-in captain Patrick Carrigan out injured.

The club confirmed Carrigan will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his ACL against the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Glenn is working hard to return from a calf injury this weekend, but if he fails this week’s fitness test, it will leave Walters with few options to lead the side out onto Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Anthony Milfordcouldd be a chance to lead the Broncos this weekend.

Under-fire playmaker Anthony Milford will be the most experienced Brisbane player this weekend, which could see him go from Queensland Cup player to Broncos captain within a matter of three weeks.

Forward leaders Payne Haas, Tevita Pangai Jr and Matt Lodge – who each have had their own past indiscretions – are also likely contenders for the role.

It comes at a critical time for the Broncos who are 2-7 from their opening nine games and face a red-hot Manly side this weekend.

Carrigan’s injury is a huge blow for the club with the 23-year-old workhorse expected to go under the knife in the coming days to repair the damage in his knee.

“Unfortunately our worst fears were confirmed by the scan in that Pat has a ruptured ACL,” Broncos head of performance Andrew Croll said.

The Broncos will miss Patrick Carrigan, who is out for the rest of the season.

“Pat will see a surgeon this week to confirm the next course of action, which will be surgery.

“He will miss the remainder of the 2021 season and the club is providing Pat with all the support he needs.”

The loss of Carrigan opens the door for utility John Asiata to claim the No.13 jersey this weekend.

Brisbane teammate Rhys Kennedy said it was big shoes to fill to replace a player like Carrigan.

“He gets through a lot of work on the field,” Kennedy said.

John Asiata is set to get the call this weekend.

“He’s a workhorse.

“It gives the guys in reserve grade an opportunity to step up and a few of us on the bench might have to step up and play some more minutes to take some of the workload.

“We lost Lexi (Alex Glenn) and now we’ve lost another captain.

“All we can do is focus on what has been positive in the last couple of weeks.

“It’s big shoes to fill for Patty but we have to keep moving forward and get back on the horse.”

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward: David Fifita cops two-match ban