NRL 2020: The QLD players who haven’t trained the house down

You always hear about players being in the best shape of their careers and training the house down in pre-season ... but which players have battled through summer?

It is the most popular phrase of the pre-season - “Player X has trained the house down”.

But how about those that haven’t had a smooth pre-season and are heading into 2020 underdone?

The Courier-Mail has taken a look at Queensland’s three NRL clubs to find the players that could struggle to start the year well following rough summers.

Corey Oates suffered a staph infection in the pre-season. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

Corey Oates - Brisbane Broncos

The Queensland Origin winger was tracking well until he contracted a staph infection over the Christmas break. Oates spent nine days in hospital and lost 6kg from his 106kg frame. He missed a few weeks of training and was on a restricted program when he returned. Oates looked underdone in his first hit-out against the Titans last weekend. Don’t expect him to start 2020 with a bang.

Shannon Boyd is still battling a shoulder problem. Picture: Adam Head

Shannon Boyd - Gold Coast Titans

The hulking Titans prop underwent a shoulder reconstruction midway through last year. Boyd was sidelined for months and was on restricted training for much of the Gold Coast’s pre-season to keep him out of contact. He played 40 minutes against Burleigh in his return and looked solid, but reported shoulder soreness and missed the Broncos trial. He is now in doubt for Round 1.

Moeaki Fotuaika might miss Round 1. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Moeaki Fotuaika - Gold Coast Titans

The young Titans forward battled through knee and wrist injuries last season to be crowned the Gold Coast’s player of the year. But it came at a cost, with Fotuaika’s return from surgery slower than expected. He is racing the clock to play in Round 1 and has been heavily restricted during the pre-season. Fotuaika is a great player but it’s going to be tough for him to dominate when he returns.

Matt Lodge sits on the pine after injuring his knee. Picture: Peter Wallis

Matt Lodge - Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos prop was in great shape and well set up to have a huge 2020 season until he suffered a partial tear to the ACL in his knee a fortnight ago. This is an injury that usually brings with it a season-ending diagnosis, but the Broncos are so reliant on Lodge they are hoping it heals itself and he can get on the park in 2020. Expect Lodge to miss at least the first six weeks of the season before he finds out whether he will play in 2020 or have to go under the knife and miss the entire year.

Jordan Kahu and Corey Oates trail behind Darius Boyd and Andrew McCullough at training. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

Jordan Kahu - Brisbane Broncos

After a one-year stint at the Cowboys, Kahu is bizarrely back at the Broncos but won’t be seen in the NRL for some time. Kahu returned from North Queensland needing a shoulder reconstruction and has done next to no regular pre-season training. It will be a while before Kahu gets back to his best.

Josh McGuire hurt his knee in Perth. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Josh McGuire - North Queensland Cowboys

The Queensland Origin forward was tracking well until he suffered a knee injury at the NRL Nines in Perth. McGuire required surgery on his meniscus but isn’t expected to miss any footy. He is suspended from North Queensland’s NRL season-opener against the Broncos in Townsville next Friday. While it’s never ideal having surgery on the eve of the season, McGuire is an experienced player who should return in decent form.