NRL casualty ward 2021: Every clubs injury list, suspensions, return dates, plus KFC SuperCoach analysis
The Melbourne Storm have a lost yet another key player for the start of the season. FULL CASUALTY NRL WARD UPDATE
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne Storm co-captain Dale Finucane will miss the first six weeks of the season after tearing his calf on Tuesday.
It is understood the injury occurred during a promotional shoot with main sponsor Redzed following a training session.
Scans have revealed a high grade tear to his left calf and a recovery
time of about six weeks.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Dale Finucane tore his left calf at training yesterday, could be missing up to Rd7. Would be an 8 week recovery, at least a grade 2-3 injury (partial/complete tear) with presence of boot/extended recovery time. He required a 9 week recovery for a right calf injury late last year
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 3, 2021
The NSW Origin forward had issues with his right calf last year but returned for the preliminary final.
It is a big blow for Storm ahead of next Thursday’s season opener against South Sydney at AAMI Park
with the club also forced to start the season without their Cameron Smith replacement.
Harry Grant has sustained a “high grade” MCL injury and will miss at least the first three rounds.
The star hooker copped an awkward blow to his lower leg during a tackle, and while there was suggestion he was getting strapped on the sidelines for a potential return he ultimately left the ground in a knee brace.
Confirmation from the Storm of a high grade (likely rupture) MCL sprain for Harry Grant. Good news is even complete MCL tears rarely require surgery. Expected to return in Round 4, would be a 5 week return to play. Usual recovery time in the NRL: 6-8 weeks, past recovery times: pic.twitter.com/k1h3boCQVT
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 28, 2021
WARRIORS LOSE ANOTHER HOOKER
The hooking stocks at the Warriors are getting thinner by the week with Wayde Egan requiring scans on an elbow injury. He reeled out of a tackle after getting his elbow hyperextended, and was forced to leave the field with his arm in a makeshift jersey sling.
While the early assessment from the Warriors suggested a dislocation did not occur, there can still be ligament damage or even a small fracture in these cases of elbow hyperextension.
If Egan has avoided a fracture, return to play will likely be in the 2-4 week range, giving him a chance to be fit for Round 1. Any fracture would see at least a six week recovery causing him to miss the opening rounds.
It is worth mentioning that Egan had issues with his right shoulder in the past two seasons after suffering a labrum (cartilage) injury in 2019. This can result in latent instability, and the way in which Egan suffered his injury can put the shoulder at risk for subluxation or dislocation. Hopefully this has been avoided here.
Wayde Egan off with suspected right elbow injury, by video hyperextension brings concern for ligament/tendon injury, have to hope no complete tear or fracture involved (4+wks recovery). Shoulder subluxation also possible in this position. Some early doubt for his Rd1 availability pic.twitter.com/uj5R7XGBAe
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 27, 2021
BRONCOS PROP CAN’T SHOULDER ON
One of the more concerning injuries of the day was one of the most innocuous, with Tom Flegler leaving the field for the Broncos in the second half after suffering a right shoulder injury several minutes earlier. He attempted to play through the issue but was eventually pulled from the field and will undergo scans.
While this doesn’t appear significant on the surface, the underlying concern comes from the fact Flegler underwent a right shoulder reconstruction six months ago. Any damage to his surgically repaired shoulder ligaments so soon after surgery and in his first game back would bring risk of instability and damage to his shoulder joint, which could result in the need for further surgery.
Hopefully it was just soreness associated with his return to NRL action and scans reveal minimal damage, but it will likely be a nervous few days for the young Broncos forward.
STAR BACKS COP ANKLE INJURIES
Both Nick Cotric and Josh Dugan failed to finish the Bulldogs v Sharks trial after suffering respective ankle injuries. Both are hopeful of being fit for Round 1, with Cotric the bigger concern of the two.
On the sideline, ice was positioned high up on the Bulldogs centre’s ankle, which usually suggests a suspected syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain). Even a minor sprain to these ligaments would leave him a 50/50 proposition for the Bulldogs’ season opener.
Nic Cotric came off with a right ankle injury after this tackle this afternoon. Video not clear but limited vision + ice positioning high on the ankle suggests concern for syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain). Even minor grade sprain would have him in doubt for Round 1 pic.twitter.com/OU3IOHzgZq
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 27, 2021
EEL INJURY CREATES SUPERCOACH OPPORTUNITY
Parramatta’s outside back stocks have taken a hit with new recruit Michael Oldfield set to miss the opening month of the 2021 season with a knee injury.
Oldfield was in the running to replace the banned Michael Jennings but scans have revealed Oldfield suffered a MCL injury during last Thursday’s trial win against St George Illawarra.
It’s expected Oldfield will miss the first four or five rounds of season 2021.
The left centre’s night only lasted 12 minutes before he was taken from the field.
Tom Opacic is set to win the race to replace Michael Jennings on the Eels’ left edge with speedster Haze Dunster conceding the former Cowboy is likely to line-up in round one against Brisbane.
Dunster was one of the contenders to replace Jennings – who is banned under the NRL’s anti-doping rules – but the 21-year old told The Daily Telegraph that coach Brad Arthur prefers to play him on the wing.
BRONCOS RECRUIT SUFFERS GRUESOME THROAT INJURY
Broncos new recruit Dale Copley will miss the first month of the NRL season after suffering a serious throat injury during the club’s trial match against Wynnum Manly on Friday.
The 29-year-old had scans over the weekend which revealed dislocated cartilage and a small fracture in his throat.
KFC SUPERCOACH CHEAPIE BITES DUST
Shawn Blore looks likely to miss the opening rounds of the competition with word he suffered a wrist fracture that requires surgery. The young Tigers forward did not play in Saturday’s trial match and was pictured after the game with his left wrist in a brace. Recovery times can be quite varied with fractures to the wrist, with some bones having a poor blood supply which extends healing times.
Thankfully surgery usually speeds up recovery with early stabilisation of the fracture and allows for a more accelerated rehab. Most NRL players are able to come back within 1-2 months, which best case would see Blore available for selection in Round 3.
Shawn Blore seen in a wrist brace after trial game last night, no word on nature of injury from the Tigers as yet.
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 21, 2021
Best case: sprain, most 2-4 weeks recovery
If fracture present, varied recovery time depending on specific location but most 4-8 weeks (surgery can speed up return) pic.twitter.com/FmD4gGXL2d
KNIGHTS’ PACK UNRECOGNISABLE AFTER ANOTHER INJURY
Lachlan Fitzgibbon underwent surgery on a shoulder issue last week, and while there was some early reporting that he may miss just a month of NRL action this is unlikely to be the case.
The surgery he required was described as a “repair” by the Knights, which usually indicates some form of labrum or capsule reconstruction in the shoulder. With this being likely the quickest possible recovery time would be 10-12 weeks, which wouldn’t allow a return for Fitzgibbon until at least Round 7-8 at very best.
Fitzgibbon’s injury is expected to see Mitchell Barnett move to an edge with utility Connor Watson a huge chance to play No. 13.
The Knights forward pack will look totally different in 2021 without Herman Ese’ese (Gold Coast Titans), Tim Glasby (retired), Aidan Guerra (retired), Sione Mata’utia (St Helens RLFC) and Andrew McCullough (Brisbane Broncos).
CROKER AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says Jarrod Croker is ahead of schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery and is hopeful of having his captain on deck for round one.
Croker was originally ruled out for at least the first month of the 2021 season after suffering a ruptured rotator cuff and torn labrum (cartilage) just five minutes into the Raiders’ season-ending 30-10 preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Melbourne.
In an amazing display of bravery, Croker played out the game.
“Jarrod is a quick healer and if he was back for round one, that would be great,” Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
“But I’m still going to find another centre during this pre-season to fill that position in case Jarrod takes a bit more time and misses a game or two.”
BRONCOS
IN THE WARD: Jesse Arthars (ankle, round 1), Payne Haas (suspended, round four), Dale Copley (throat, round five), Kotoni Staggs (knee, mid-season), Tom Flegler (shoulder, round one), Corey Oates (hand, trials), Anthony Milford (hand, round 1-2).
NRL Physio analysis:Staggs is the main concern for the Broncos, given he is yet to start on field running 14 weeks after an ACL reconstruction. He’ll be aiming for a mid-season return, though even once he’s back on the field it’s unlikely he will be back at his best this season. With his game based on power, explosiveness and rapid change of direction, that takes time to get back even after being passed as fit to return. It’s also worth noting that Matt Lodge should be primed for a bit of a bounce back after a heavily injury affected 2020 season, returning too early from a partial ACL tear and playing through a meniscus/tibia fracture. Milford will be racing the clock for Round 1 after suffering a broken hand at training, with a 4-6 week recovery on the cards. It is also worth considering his increased injury risk with his four hamstring strains (two after earlier than expected returns) went under the radar a bit last season.
BULLDOGS
IN THE WARD: Nick Cotric (ankle, round one), Jayden Okunbor (knee, mid-late season), Christian Crichton (knee, season), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (ankle, round one), Dylan Napa (knee, round one), Luke Thompson (suspended, round 5), Jake Averillo (elbow, round 1)
NRL Physio analysis: Cotric is racing the clock for round one after going down in the trials. Okunbor is aiming for a mid-season return, and like Staggs is unlikely to be back to his best this year. Crichton will miss the entire 2021 season after an ACL rupture late last year. I was tipping a big year for RFM after he started 2020 coming off syndesmosis surgery, but the recent news of an ankle “clean-out” procedure has tempered those expectations in the early season. While in no doubt for Round 1 he will miss valuable time on his feet at training in the coming weeks, meaning he will likely gradually build his fitness and performance over the opening rounds. Adam Elliott and Joe Stimson should hit the ground running with the timing of their shoulder reconstructions leaving them plenty of time to be fit for Round 1.
Confirmation from the Bulldogs that Christian Crichton suffered an ACL injury late last month, will undergo reconstruction surgery next week with his 2021 season over. Delay to surgery often to let swelling settle in knee, time for prehab (â¬†ï¸ strength & ROM). Wish him the best
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 18, 2021
COWBOYS
IN THE WARD: Tom Gilbert (leg, round 2-4), Jordan McLean (hamstring, monitored), Kane Bradley (shoulder, round 3-4)
NRL Physio analysis: Star youngster Tom Gilbert will miss the start of the season after breaking his fibula at training. He doesn’t need surgery and is set to return in rounds 2-4. There is definitely some concern moving forward for Morgan, less so with the calf injury and more considering the significant post op infection he dealt with in his shoulder for much of last year. Some reports suggested there were considerations for further surgery, but thankfully the Cowboys captain was able to avoid that and news out of North Queensland has all been positive since. But the damage a post-op infection can do to the shoulder joint itself can bring risk of decreased function, early onset osteoarthritis and shortened career length. Hopefully recent reports of minimal pain and good strength continue throughout the season.
DRAGONS
IN THE WARD: Billy Brittain (shoulder, shoulder, round 1), Jack de Belin (stood down), Cameron McInnes (ACL, season), Jordan Pereira (HIA, round 1), Poasa Faamausili (HIA, round 1)
NRL Physio analysis: St George Illawarra will head to the market to find a replacement for Cameron McInnes (ACL) immediately after an innocuous training incident ruled him out for the rest of the season. New recruit Jack Bird is right for Round 1, but expectations for his early season performance need to be tempered after back to back ACL reconstructions in the past two years. The fact it will be more than 12 months since his last surgery when he runs out in Round 1 is positive for his prospects, as rushing back in the 6-9 month period would’ve brought high risk of re-injury and likely poor performance levels. But the usual belief that players don’t return to their best til 18+ months post-surgery applies here, and adding in Bird’s lack of game play since mid-2019 the Dragons are likely planning for a gradual start to the season for him.
EELS
IN THE WARD: Michael Oldfield (knee, round four), Maika Sivo (knee, round one), Michael Jennings (suspended, indefinite), Marata Niukore (suspended, round two), Bryce Cartwright (broken jaw, round six)
NRL Physio analysis: The Eels have suffered a setback with confirmation Bryce Cartwright has a broken jaw that is likely to sideline him for between four and six weeks. Cartwright suffered the injury during training. Other than that, minimal concerns for the Eels, with Sivo and Ferguson having more than enough time to rehab their minor knee injuries from late last season. Michael Oldfield (knee) will miss the start of the season.
KNIGHTS
IN THE WARD: Kalyn Ponga (shoulder, round 2-4), Blake Green (knee, rounds 5-8), Jirah Momoisea (Achilles, TBC), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder, indefinite), Edrick Lee (foot, rounds 2-4)
NRL Physio analysis: Newcastle forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon could miss the opening month of the NRL season following shoulder surgery. The Knights are planning to be without Kalyn Ponga until Round 4 or 5 after he required a shoulder reconstruction and rotator cuff repair late in the off-season. While there was extensive damage to his shoulder, having this repaired in one surgical procedure gave him the chance to be fit to start the season. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see an earlier than expected return. Performance wise expect Ponga to be at a high level fairly quickly; playing fullback doesn’t require extensive tackling/wrestling, which is most limiting in the early return from a shoulder reconstruction. Most players need 18+ months to get back to top performance from an ACL injury, but given Blake Green will play more of a game management role, he should be good to go when he returns in Round 5-8.
Edrick Lee suffered a foot fracture during the preseason & is expected to miss the start of the season. Was spotted in a moon boot, didn’t require surgery. Hopeful of a Round 2-4 return
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 23, 2021
PANTHERS
IN THE WARD: Scott Sorensen (hamstring, round 1)
RABBITOHS
IN THE WARD: Jai Arrow (hamstring, round 1), Braidon Burns (knee, rounds 1-4), Campbell Graham (groin, round one), Taane Milne (knee, rounds 1-4), Brock Gardner (Achilles, indefinite)
NRL Physio analysis: Burns and Milne will be eased into the season after long lay-offs, with Burns’ patellar tendon rupture typically more prohibitive to performance on return compared to Milne’s ACL injury. Campbell Graham and Junior Tatola had off-season surgery but are in no risk of missing the start of the season.
MORE SUPERCOACH:
KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021 Cheapie Bible
Tom Sangster’s 2021 KFC SuperCoach NRL team
Rob Sutherland’s 2021 KFC SuperCoach NRL team
KFC SuperCoach 2021: Wilson Smith’s team revealed
RAIDERS
IN THE WARD: Jarrod Croker (shoulder, early rounds)
NRL Physio analysis: Croker had a similar procedure to Ponga, requiring a shoulder reconstruction and rotator cuff repair. Despite having his a few weeks after the Newcastle fullback, Croker is said to be aiming for Round 1-2. Injuries of this magnitude have varied recovery times, but on return his performance is unlikely to be heavily impacted.
ROOSTERS
IN THE WARD: Luke Keary (hamstring, round 1), Victor Radley (knee, early rounds), Sam Verrills (knee, early rounds), Billy Smith (shoulder, mid-season), Boyd Cordner (concussion, indefinite)
NRL Physio analysis: The Roosters will take every precaution with Cordner to make sure it is safe for him to return to the field after his well-documented struggles with concussion in 2020. Radley and Verrills are both pushing to return in Round 1 after having their ACL reconstruction surgeries on the same day 8 months prior. Both will once again likely ease into the season, particularly with their running games.
SEA EAGLES
IN THE WARD: Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 4), Jorge Taufua (Achilles, April), Cade Cust (thumb, TBC), Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder), Lachlan Croker (hamstring round 1), Dylan Walker (foot, round 1), Kieran Foran (pec, round 1)
NRL Physio analysis: Trbojevic’s injury risk is the big question for many SuperCoaches, and there’s good and bad news. The injury rates after the 2020 Covid season break were high across the NRL, and players with a history of hamstring strains like Trbojevic, Matt Moylan, Anthony Milford and Dylan Edwards all suffered. There’s no getting away from the fact the Manly fullback will be at some increased risk in 2021, given sufferers of hamstring strains generally range from approximately 10-30% risk of re-injury. While the most risk occurs during the first 3-4 months back from injury, minor deficits can be present for up to 18 months after a hamstring strain. The big tick in Manly’s favour that puts Turbo in the best possible position to avoid future hamstring injury is the fact they have approached his rehab conservatively, not pushing him to return early at any stage. While these long lay-offs were frustrating for Trbojevic owners in 2019 and 2020, they put him in the lowest risk category moving forward. Considering the 9 months that will have passed since he suffered his last hamstring strain and the extensive testing he has undergone in the off-season there’s a good chance this risk will be very manageable for the Manly medical and performance staff. Foran and Suli should be fully recovered from their late season injuries from last season, while Taufua will unlikely be at his explosive best in 2021 as he aims for a mid-season return from an Achilles injury.
SHARKS
IN THE WARD: Josh Dugan (ankle, TBC), Siosifa Talakai (shoulder, rounds 1-3), Shaun Johnson (Achilles, round 5-8), Royce Hunt (knee, rounds 1-2), Bronson Xerri (suspended, indefinite), Jack A Williams (throat, TBC), Toby Rudolf (leg, round 1), Aiden Tolman (leg, round 1)
NRL Physio analysis: Dugan is racing the clock for round one after going down in the trials. Varied return dates are out there on Shaun Johnson, with reports from the Sharks ranging from Round 5 to Round 10, and coach John Morris also stating it’s a 6 month injury (which would be Round 2 for Johnson). To read between the lines; training wise Johnson is yet to start running on the alter-G treadmill and isn’t planning to start on field running til late February/early March. If he follows this rehab timeline Round 6-8 (8 months post surgery) would seem to be the most likely return date, but it’s worth remembering there have been returns as soon as 5 months post-surgery among NRL players in the past. The positive for Johnson is extra time in rehab puts him in a better position to perform on his return, with deficits in acceleration and power common. It wouldn’t be surprising considering this injury and his age (30) for Johnson to alter his game moving forward, relying less on explosive line breaks and rapid direction change. Hunt and Talakai are both aiming to return in the opening 2-3 Rounds, with Hunt (patellar tendon rupture) facing a tougher road back to top performance. Blayke Brailey should be fine after a late season syndesmosis injury in 2020.
MORE SUPERCOACH:
KFC SuperCoach NRL: 21 players set to shine in 2021
SuperCoach club-by-club guide to transfer madness
KFC SuperCoach NRL transfer guide — Part 2
Strength of schedule: SuperCoach draw analysis
STORM
IN THE WARD: Harry Grant (knee, round four), Brenko Lee (hamstring, round 1), Dale Finucane (calf, round 5-8)
NRL Physio analysis: Grant is expected to miss three weeks after going down in the final trial. King and Jacks are both tracking well for Round 1 after off-season surgery.
TITANS
IN THE WARD: Sam Mcintyre (foot, round 1)
NRL Physio analysis: David Fifita (thumb), Kevin Proctor (hamstring) and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee) should all be right for round one following pre-season mishaps.AJ Brimson has had one of the best recoveries from Lisranc surgery that the NRL has seen in recent times. One of the most difficult injuries to rehab from (and arguably more so than an ACL reconstruction), players such as Corey Horsburgh and Api Koroisau have had their seasons ended with 5+ month recovery periods after requiring surgery on Lisfranc fractures. Thankfully for Brimson, his injury was only a small fracture with minor ligament damage, so he is tracking to return at a high level as soon as Round 1. After an injury affected 2020 David Fifita is primed for a big year. A long lay-off after a meniscus repair meant several missed games, but the short term pain was Fifita’s long term gain, with a repair surgery maintaining his meniscus (the knee’s shock absorber) and leaving him at lowest risk for future issues. The syndesmosis surgery is also a distant memory after he considered pushing for Origin selection last year. Ash Taylor has some longer term concerns with his hips but this season should be relatively unaffected.
Good to see AJ Brimson resume on-field running at Titans training, just over 7 weeks since requiring surgery on a Lisfranc (midfoot) injury. Response to load in next few weeks will be telling, but with ~ 9 weeks til Round 1 great signs for his availability & performance pic.twitter.com/PWwEGxfl0n
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 6, 2021
WARRIORS
IN THE WARD: Wayde Egan (elbow, TBC), Chanel Harris-Tavita (leg, round one), Tohu Harris (hamstring, round one), Karl Lawton (Achilles, indefinite), Eliesa Katoa (broken eye socket, round 2-3)
NRL Physio analysis: Harris-Tavita and Harris should be right for round one despite being ruled out of trials, although Egan is in serious doubt. Lawton will be at best a late season return after rupturing his Achilles. Ben Murdoch-Masila has returned to full training after a minor pec strain and Ah Mau, Frei and Afoa all should be good to go after long injury lay-offs from last year.
WESTS TIGERS
IN THE WARD: Shawn Blore (wrist, round 6-8), Billy Walters (knee, indefinite), Adam Doueihi (suspended, round 2)
NRL Physio analysis: Walters will be in for a slow return after a traumatic ACL/MCL injury last season. He will take inspiration from Jacob Liddle who is 18 month on from the same injury, and likely primed for a great year performance wise with a solid return to the field late in 2020. Rookie outside back Bradley is also on the mend from shoulder surgery and will return to training in February. New signing James Roberts started training in the new year.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL casualty ward 2021: Every clubs injury list, suspensions, return dates, plus KFC SuperCoach analysis
$50K richer: SuperCoach champ’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan
SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.