NRL Casualty Ward: Broncos, Bulldogs lose stars

After four weeks on the sidelines recovering from a concussion injury, Ryan Matterson returned to the field and he hardly missed a beat.

Alex Glenn will miss Brisbane’s clash with Gold Coast. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

The best pack in the NRL could be about to get even better.

Parramatta’s forwards are arguably the top unit in the league and they’ll get even stronger in the coming weeks after Ryan Matterson made a handy return for the club’s NSW Cup side on Saturday night.

Matterson got through 80 minutes on the left edge for the Eels in the 38-20 win over Souths, his first match since suffering a concussion against Melbourne in Round 2.

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Ryan Matterson had his best moments in the second half. Picture: Sunday Telegraph / Dylan Coker

“It was really good. I’m just glad the head pulled up well and the result was a bonus,” Matterson said.

“I didn’t want to overplay my hand, knowing it was my first game back. We just stuck to the structures, we played the long game and got the win.

“The boys have been playing really well, and I’m just controlling what I can control. Brad (Arthur) chooses the side and he knows I’m ready to go.”

Ryan Matterson breaks the line. Picture: Sunday Telegraph / Dylan Coker

Isaiah Papali’i’s excellent form in first grade means Parramatta coach Brad Arthur can afford to be patient with Matterson, but the star backrower will be tough to keep out of the side to play Canterbury next week.

The 26-year old grew into the match as it went on and was solid on both sides of the ball as he blew out the cobwebs.

His best moment came midway through the second half when he crossed for a try off a sharp pass from halfback Jakob Arthur.

Matterson showed some very subtle footwork to slip between the defenders, in a moment of attacking class that proves why he’ll be a valuable addition to Arthur’s forward pack on return.

After trailing early, Parramatta came home in the closing stages in what proved to be a fiery encounter, with Rabbitohs centre Tautau Moga sent off for dissent in the closing minutes.

Ryan Mattersonplayed the full 80 minutes on his return. Picture: Sunday Telegraph / Dylan Coker

Matterson’s best moment of the first half came shortly before halftime when he made a clean break from 40 metres out and drew Rabbitohs fullback Jacob Gagai only for Arthur to drop the pass and bomb a certain try.

In the second stanza he helped create a try to winger Elie El-Zakhern with a good offload in traffic in the lead up to the four-pointer, and was a constant threat out wide.

If Matterson does return to first grade next week he’s expected to slot in on his regular left edge with Papali’i to move back into the middle rotation.

The New Zealander’s emergence as one of the buys of the season, plus the good form of fellow new recruit Bryce Cartwright, means the Eels are well stocked for edge forwards.

INJURY LEAVES BRONCOS ON EDGE AHEAD OF FIFITA SHOWDOWN

Brisbane’s woes have continued with skipper Alex Glenn be ruled out of Friday night’s grudge match against Titans defector David Fifita at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos captain broke down in the warm-up to Brisbane’s 46-6 drubbing against the Eels in Darwin with coach Kevin Walters conceding he will require another starting back-rower for the Fifita showdown.

Alex Glenn is set to miss Brisbane’s clash with Gold Coast. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“Alex tore his calf muscle so he wasn’t able to take the field,” he said.

“I imagine it’s a little serious, calf muscles don’t heal very quickly so I imagine he will be out for two or three weeks.”

The Sunday Mail understands former Queensland Origin star Karmichael Hunt will be cleared by the NRL to train with the Broncos this week, but he will not be available for selection until round 11.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak suffered an infection in his knee, required surgical intervention & now on a drip. Will be in hospital til Monday. Ideal scenario back in 2-3 weeks but recovery from infections much more unpredictable than common musculoskeletal injuries seen in the NRL

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 24, 2021

BULLDOGS NUMBER ONE HOSPITALISED

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is facing a few weeks out of the game after Canterbury coach Trent Barrett revealed in an interview prior to the match against the Sharks that his fullback had been hospitalised due to a knee infection.

Watene-Zelezniak is expected to stay in hospital until Monday with Brien ‘NRL Physio Seeney putting a 2-3 week recovery time on the injury.