Casualty Ward Round 6: Jayden Brailey, Adam Douehi ACL injuries

Newcastle’s bright start to the season has been dealt a massive blow, as injuries start to bite following a costly round for several sides.

In a horrible blow for the vastly improved Newcastle Knights, hooker and captain Jayden Brailey has sustained an ACL injury and won’t play again this year.

Brailey injured the knee in his side’s win over the Warriors on Sunday.

It is the second time Brailey has suffered an ACL injury to his right knee.

It was initially feared Brailey had injured his meniscus and would be out for six weeks but scans have proven the injury to be considerably worse.

It is a massive setback for Brailey and Newcastle.

Jayden Brailey has again suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Picture: Getty

Utility Kurt Mann would loom as the likely dummy half replacement.

The Knights are expected to release a statement on Tuesday morning confirming Brailey’s injury.

It comes as Wests Tigers try to recover from losing Adam Doueihi for the season, also with an ACL.

KNIGHTS, WARRIORS COUNT COST OF INJURY TOLL

By Wilson Smith

The Warriors and Knights have suffered massive setbacks in their Round 7 clash, with a horror injury toll building for both sides.

New Zealand five-eighth Te Maire Martin suffered a suspected fractured fibula after a possible hip drop tackle from Phoenix Crossland, while hooker Wayde Egan was also ruled out after a failed HIA and could be in some doubt for Round 7.

The Warriors were already without 12-players at training through the week, while Tohu Harris was a late omission.

Te Marie Martin could be out for some time, after suffering a suspected fractured fibula. Picture: Getty Images.

Jayden Brailey hobbled off the field with a possible meniscus knee injury. It was the same knee which saw him ruled out of the 2020 season with an ACL injury.

Backrower Mat Croker also left the field late.

Te Maire Martin off with a suspected fibula fracture - textbook mechanism with direct contact from tackler + foot turning in. Can even see him indicate pain is at fibula (outer shin bone). If confirmed on X-Ray usual recovery time of 6-8 weeks for adequate bone healing pic.twitter.com/yzSr8VnsKO

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 9, 2023

Jayden Brailey off with a R knee injury suffered in this run (previous ACL injury was also to R side), initial assessment from the Knights suggests possible meniscus injury. Video supports this in that it was very innocuous - nothing traumatic, hopeful he’s avoided major damage. pic.twitter.com/OhL19SmHUI

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 9, 2023

Meanwhile, Raiders winger Jordan Rapana will miss their Round 7 clash against the Dragons after splitting his head open against the Broncos on Saturday night.

Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has undergone surgery on a syndesmosis ankle injury after an awkward fall in Canterbury’s Good Friday loss to South Sydney.

The Sea Eagles will likely be without Karl Lawton for some time after he suffered a dislocated shoulder, while Reuben Garrick could be in some doubt for Round 7 after failing a HIA.

Fullback Tom Trbojevic also required an injection after suffering from back spasms in their loss to Penrith.

Manly will likely be without utility Karl Lawton long-term, after suffering a dislocated shoulder. Picture: Getty Images.

The Broncos will be without front rower Thomas Flegler against the Titans in Round 7, with coach Kevin Walters confirming it was a Category 1 concussion. Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace also left the field under a Category 1 head knock and will be out for the next 11 days.

KNIGHTS REVEAL WHY THEY’LL HOLD PONGA BACK

—Michael Carayannis

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien has vowed to be patient with star Kalyn Ponga after the Knights five-eighth was given medical clearance to return to the field.

The Knights are taking a cautious approach with Ponga after he made his comeback to training last week from concussion. He has been given medical clearance to return as early as this week but Newcastle will hold him off until their round eight clash against the Cowboys.

O’Brien said “it was great” to have Ponga back on deck.

“First and foremost it’s great that the trip was a success,” O’Brien said. “He has some piece of mind.

“Having a plan – we have a process to follow. We will see where we get to. We’ve stated that we are aiming for that Cowboys game.

“There are a number of things that need to be ticked off between now and then. He is excited and wants to play.”

Kalyn Ponga is nearing his return to the NRL after a concussion battle. Picture: NRL Photos

The Knights met with medical specialists on Wednesday where they ticked off on his rugby league comeback.

The medical staff cleared Ponga for a return next week against the Panthers however Newcastle have opted to delay his comeback by one week.

This is to do with his physical preparation – nothing to do with his concussion. Newcastle want to ensure he is right physically before he takes to the field again.

He rejoined his Newcastle teammates at training this week and will resume full contact next week.

Ponga landed in Sydney last Saturday after spending a week undergoing testing at HealthTech Connex, a Centre for Neurology Studies in Canada.

“We are comfortable with the objective evidence from our independent testing, indicating normalisation of his cognitive function,” Knights head of football Peter Parr said.

“Kalyn has recovered well from his recent concussion, however he has had limited specific training due to the amount of travel he has had to undertake in recent weeks.

“We will now focus on building his physical and tactical performance, with an aim to return in round eight.”

Ponga suffered a nasty concussion against the Wests Tigers in Round 2, and hasn’t played since. Picture: Getty

Newcastle have long been optimistic that Ponga’s latest setback would not keep him sidelined long-term.

Ponga has not played since suffering the head knock against the Tigers in round 2.

There are no plans to shift Ponga from the five-eighth spot despite calls for him to return to fullback in a bid to try and minimise his defensive workload.

The Knights are without back-up halves Adam Clune (hand) and Tyson Gamble (concussion) for their clash against the Warriors on Sunday.