NRL casualty ward Round 17: All injuries in one spot
The Brisbane Broncos’ season just keeps getting worse with their highest paid player, five-eighth Anthony Milford, copping some horror news.
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Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Club doctors confirmed the news on Wednesday morning and said they are taking a precautionary approach with the 26-year-old who has suffered two hamstring injuries this season and won’t be rushed back with Brisbane out of finals contention.
He joins Brisbane forwards Matt Lodge and Tom Flegler who have also been ruled out for the rest of the year.
Milford has struggled in 2020 — playing just 13 games and setting up four tries.
Broncos head of performance Paul Devlin said with just three games left of the season, Milford will be put on ice to recover.
Devlin also revealed Jack Bird is back running after having surgery on his knee earlier in the year.
— Chris Honnery
Despite being named, Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney is an unlikely starter against Penrith this week after scans on Monday confirmed the in-form No.9 suffered a joint injury in his left shoulder.
Asked about his likely return date, an Eels official said only that it was “indefinite”.
Mahoney injured his shoulder in last weekend’s win over the Warriors, and was struggling to pass the ball.
Coach Brad Arthur is expected to use backrower Ray Stone in the hooking role should Mahoney be unable to take the field against the Panthers in Friday Night Football.
The loss would be a big blow for an Eels side looking to prove its premiership credentials against the current competition leaders.
— Nick Walshaw
Reed Mahoney off with left shoulder injury, video brings concern for AC joint sprain as shoulder slams into turf. Have to hope no collarbone fracture. Best case minor AC joint sprain/burner (0-2wks return) but not good signs he was unable to stay on pic.twitter.com/VCkNAGrqvu
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 6, 2020
RAIDERS DROP BIG UPDATE ON PAPALII
Canberra has received the best news possible with Josh Papalii a chance of playing against St George Illawarra on Saturday after being cleared of serious shoulder damage.
It is understood scans have revealed Papalii has not suffered an AC joint shoulder injury but there is some damage to the back of his shoulder.
Ricky Stuart will make a decision on whether Papalii plays closer to game day, but this is the best case scenario after it was earlier feared the star prop’s season could be over.
Full story by Paul Crawley here
FORAN SIDELINED YET AGAIN
Kieran Foran’s 2020 season has come to an end after suffering a ruptured pec in the Bulldogs loss to the Titans on Saturday.
The luckless half came from the field clutching at his right shoulder, with the medical staff quickly able to confirm the suspicion of a high grade pec tear.
With Foran yet to sign for a club next year this is an unfortunate setback, as he will likely require pec repair surgery with a usual recovery time of 10-14 weeks.
The good news is that if Foran wishes to play on, this setback should not force him into early retirement.
Pec repair surgery and the subsequent rehab process has a very high success rate with a low re-injury risk, and with Foran’s recent shoulder surgeries being to the opposite side (left) there should be minimal concern for ongoing issues.
Even if Foran takes a gradual approach to his rehab process he should be fully fit by Christmas, leaving him plenty of time to get through adequate preseason training in preparation for the 2021 season.
Classic pec injury mechanism for Kieran Foran, attempting tackle with arm out to side. Considering traumatic nature worry for high grade tear/rupture, if confirmed likely surgery & 10-14 weeks return to play. Feel for him pic.twitter.com/2kzwbDajhN
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 5, 2020
FEARS NAPA WILL MISS ORIGIN
It won’t get any easier for the Bulldogs with Dylan Napa also likely to have played his last game for the season. A heavy collision to his knee left him with a suspected MCL tear, which if confirmed comes with a 6-10 week recovery period.
This would not only rule him out for the regular season but put him in significant doubt to feature for Queensland in the end of season State of Origin series.
TITANS SET TO LOSE PAIR
The Titans lost Albert Kelly and Jaimin Jolliffe to ankle sprains. Whilst both were to get scans it is never a good sign they were unable to return to the field, with suggestion they may have both suffered syndesmosis injuries.
Damage to the syndesmosis (high ankle) is tougher to play through than the more common lateral ankle sprain, and it would not be surprising to see the Titans without Kelly and Jolliffe for at least a few weeks.
Brian Kelly & Jaimin Jolliffe both failed to return with ankle sprains. Jolliffe mechanism unclear, Kelly’s brings concern for syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain) as foot gets caught/turns out. Even low grade sprain likely 2-3 weeks recovery if confirmed pic.twitter.com/zSqMIoVWlg
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 5, 2020
CALVES AND CRAMPS CAUSE CARNAGE
Jorge Taufua joined the list of season ending injuries for this round after he suffered a reported calf tear. Strangely enough this would be quite a relief, as the mechanism of injury and early reports from the sideline suggested he may have suffered an Achilles rupture.
This was particularly concerning as the hands on testing medical staff can perform is highly accurate at diagnosing an Achilles injury.
Whilst a calf tear is still a significant injury, an Achilles rupture would require surgery and at least five months rehab. Even the most severe calf tears allow a return to full fitness within 8-10 weeks.
Debutant half Josh Schuster also failed to finish the game, but thankfully was just suffering from lower leg cramps. This is not surprising considering he would have entered the match not having played competitive rugby league in months.
PONGA SET TO MISS ROOSTERS CLASH
With a battered nose and black eyes, a “banged up” Kalyn Ponga is set to be ruled out.
It comes as Knights coach Adam O’Brien admitted Ponga had been the victim of multiple “whacks around the head” this season.
DOUBLE BLOW AT JUDICIARY FOR SHARKS
Cronulla’s top-eight hopes have taken a huge hit with veteran halfback Chad Townsend to miss the rest of the regular season after he took the early guilty plea for his shoulder charge on Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga.
Townsend’s first game back from injury ended abruptly when he became the third player to be sent off in 2020 for launching at Ponga even though referee Ben Cummins had called time-off during Cronulla’s 38-10 loss in Newcastle.
The 29-year-old was hit with a grade three shoulder charge and will miss the next three matches after he pleaded guilty on Sunday.
The news gets worse for the Sharks with skipper Wade Graham banned for two games for his part in a lifting tackle on Mason Lino, although teammate Toby Rudolf is free to play after he also took the early guilty plea for his role in the tackle.
Graham also suffered a sternum injury. If a fracture is present at least 3-4 weeks is needed for adequate bone healing. However if he is able to avoid a fracture treatment will come down to managing pain, with most players able to return in 1-3 weeks with the assistance of pain killers and a chest guard.
Brisbane Broncos
Joe Ofahengaue (suspension, round 18)
Alex Glenn (knee, round 18)
Xavier Coates (foot, round 18)
Jamil Hopoate (suspension, round 20)
Jordan Riki (suspension, round 20)
Jake Turpin (hand, round 20)
Anthony Milford (hamstring, season)
Keenan Palasia (knee, indefinite)
Thomas Flegler (shoulder, indefinite)
Tevita Pangai jnr (stood down, season)
Tesi Nui (wrist, season)
Matt Lodge (leg, season)
Jack Bird (ACL, season)
Canberra Raiders
Josh Papalii (shoulder, round 18-19)
Sia Soliola (facial fracture, round 18-19)
Curtis Scott (leg, round 19)
Michael Oldfield (thumb, round 20)
Corey Horsburgh (foot, indefinite)
Emre Guler (ankle, indefinite)
Sebastian Kris (personal leave, indefinite)
Andre Niko (knee, season)
Josh Hodgson (knee, season)
Bailey Simonsson (shoulder, season)
Canterbury Bulldogs
Dylan Napa (knee, season)
Joe Stimson (shoulder, season)
Adam Elliott (shoulder, season)
Kieran Foran (pectoral, season)
Cronulla Sharks
Shaun Johnson (groin/hamstring, round 18)
Sione Katoa (chest, round 18)
Jackson Ferris (knee, round 18-19)
Wade Graham (suspension, round 20)
Chad Townsend (suspension, finals)
Matt Moylan (hamstring, indefinite)
Bronson Xerri (suspended, indefinite)
Cameron King (ACL, season)
Gold Coast Titans
Kevin Proctor (suspension, round 19)
Brian Kelly (ankle, round 19-20)
Jaimin Jolliffe (ankle, season)
Ryan James (knee, season)
Dale Copley (pectoral, season)
Manly Sea Eagles
Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 19-20)
Reuben Garrick (shoulder, round 19-20)
Dylan Walker (foot, round 20)
Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder)
Josh Schuster (ankle, season)
Jorge Taufua (ruptured Achilles, season)
Joel Thompson (ankle, season)
Brendan Elliot (knee, season)
Moses Suli (foot, season)
Melbourne Storm
Suliasi Vunivalu (jaw, round 18)
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (calf, round 18)
Tom Eisenhuth (calf, round 18)
Ryan Papenhuyzen (Achilles, round 19)
Christian Welch (suspension, round 19)
Brandon Smith (jaw, finals)
Dale Finucane (calf, finals)
Tui Kamikamica (lower back, finals)
Paul Momirovski (finger, finals)
Marion Seve (knee, season)
Newcastle Knights
Daniel Saifiti (knee, round 18)
Sione Mata’utia (ankle, round 18)
Pasami Saulo (suspension, round 18)
Edrick Lee (arm, round 18)
Phoenix Crossland (head knock, round 18)
Kalyn Ponga (rested, round 19)
Mitchell Barnett (rested, round 19)
Hymel Hunt (rested, round 19)
Bradman Best (ankle, round 19-20)
Tim Glasby (concussion, indefinite)
Andrew McCullough (hamstring, season)
Connor Watson (Achilles, season)
Jayden Brailey (knee, season)
Blake Green (knee, season)
North Queensland Cowboys
Coen Hess (suspension, round 18)
Murray Taulagi (knee, round 18)
Jason Taumalolo (calf, round 20)
Michael Morgan (calf, round 20)
Reece Robson (hamstring, season)
Parramatta Eels
Reed Mahoney (shoulder, round 18-19)
Marata Niukore (rib, TBC)
Dylan Brown (ankle, finals)
Peni Terepo (personal leave, indefinite)
Penrith Panthers
Isaah Yeo (head knock, round 18)
Dean Whare (toe, round 18)
Charlie Staines (hamstring, round 18)
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tevita Tatola (knee, TBC)
Keaon Koloamatangi (head knock, round 18)
Dane Gagai (hamstring, round 18)
Jack Johns (finger, round 19)
Hame Sele (shoulder, finals)
James Roberts (pectoral, finals)
Ethan Lowe (neck, season)
Tom Amone (knee, season)
Braidon Burns (knee, season)
Latrell Mitchell (hamstring, season)
St George Illawarra Dragons
Paul Vaughan (suspension, round 18)
Trent Merrin (hamstring, round 19)
Tariq Sims (shoulder, round 20)
Jack de Belin (stood down)
Korbin Sims (calf, season)
Sydney Roosters
Jake Friend (head knock, round 18)
Matt Ikuvalu (ankle, round 18)
Mitchell Aubusson (wrist, round 18)
Lachlan Lam (ankle, indefinite)
Victor Radley (knee, season)
Sam Verrills (knee, season)
Billy Smith (knee, season)
Warriors
Jack Hetherington (suspension, round 18)
Nathaniel Roache (knee, round 19)
Eliesa Katoa (hand, round 19)
Patrick Herbert (hamstring, round 19)
Leeson Ah Mau (pectoral, indefinite)
Rocco Berry (back, indefinite)
Leivaha Pulu (compassionate leave, season)
Agnatius Paasi (compassionate leave, season)
David Fusitu’a (compassionate leave, season)
Ken Maumalo (compassionate leave, season)
King Vuniyayawa (compassionate leave, season)
Taane Milne (knee, season)
Jackson Frei (knee, season)
Bunty Afoa (knee, season)
Selestino Ravutaumada (season)
Wests Tigers
Zane Musgrove (foot, round 19)
Billy Walters (knee, season)
Originally published as NRL casualty ward Round 17: All injuries in one spot