NRL Casualty Ward: Tom Trbojevic set to return in Round 15
Manly star Tom Trbojevic has revealed exactly which round he plans to be back on the field after admitting he wouldn’t ‘push’ his troublesome hamstring to make a fast return.
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REJECTING dire predictions he would miss the rest of this season, Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic has broken his silence to declare he’ll be back in a month and ready for his club’s charge towards the finals.
Speaking exclusively with News Sport, Trbojevic said: “I will be back by around round 15 – I’m not worried, mate.”
Trbojevic aggravated his already troublesome hamstring at training on Monday but emphatically ended talk he wouldn’t play again this season after scans revealed no further damage.
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He described the hamstring setback on Monday as “nothing serious”.
There is even a small chance Trbojevic could even return in round 14 but it’s more likely he would be back a week later against South Sydney.
“I’m going all right. It’s just a matter of not wanting to push it just yet. I’m not worried, mate. I’m just keen to keep ripping in,” Trbojevic said.
“It’s nothing serious. I’m still healing, so I can’t push it yet.
“I will be back around round 15, depending on how everything goes. It’s more a matter of not pushing things.”
Trbojevic injured his hamstring in the round 6 match against Canberra at Campbelltown Stadium.
Manly coach Des Hasler was unconcerned about Trbojevic’s recovery and confirmed his champion player would be back in either round 14 or 15.
With the NRL shifting into round 11, Trbojevic may only be sidelined for another month.
“Tom is tracking well. We did scans this week to reassess where he is at,“ Manly head physiotherapist James Rahme said.
“He is travelling well, he’s on track. I suppose at the moment we are probably looking at around round 15 for a return to play.
“If he’s not ready be round 15, we just want to make sure when he does come back that it doesn’t get re-injured.
“There is a healing that’s gone on, he’s doing really well. The only thing we can’t control with these types of injuries and that is time. We just have to let the body do what it has to do.
“He will definitely be back in round 15 but if not, maybe the round after that.”
It is unknown just yet when Trbojevic will attempt to stretch out at training.
Manly have a 5-5 record this season despite the injuries to Trbojevic and teammate Dylan Walker along with a two-game suspension for prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
Rival clubs will be wary should the Sea Eagles – with the matchwinning Trbojevic back at fullback - mount a charge into the finals.
The Sea Eagles, with Fonua-Blake back from suspension, travel to Townsville for Friday night’s important match against North Queensland.
Manly centre Moses Suli is expected to play despite bruising his sternum last week against the Eels.
There is now some chance Walker may return for next week’s match against Penrith with Rahme saying: “Dylan is travelling really well. The fractures seem to have healed and he’s running on the field.
“It’s now about whether he can get through his footy and seeing whether he can play next week or not. We will ask those questions as the week progresses.”
Manly had lost three successive games before an upset win over Parramatta last Saturday night.
Double blow for Bunnies stars
South Sydney has suffered a double blow with star centre James Roberts and edge forward Ethan Lowe likely to miss the rest of the 2020 season.
Roberts’ horrible season has continued after he suffered a pectoral injury that will sideline him for between 10 and 12 weeks, while Lowe will require neck surgery with an expected 12 to 14 weeks on the sideline.
It has been suggested Lowe’s injury was the result of a crusher tackle.
It has resulted in a bulging disc which is rubbing against his spinal cord and will require an operation this week.
With 10 rounds of the regular season to go, that would mean both only have a slim chance of making it back this season if Souths go deep into the play-offs.
Souths take on Canberra this round with Campbell Graham expected to return from a cheek bone fracture to take Roberts’ spot in the centres, while Bailey Sironen will replace Lowe on the edge.
The other problem for the Rabbitohs is that Liam Knight is out with an ankle injury and is still a couple of weeks away from returning.
Roberts’ setback is especially shattering given he was forced to take leave to enter a rehab facility for mental health issues earlier in the year.
The former NSW State of Origin flyer has since struggled to get back into anywhere near his best form.
Storm prop faces three months on sideline
– Gilbert Gardiner
Melbourne Storm prop Tui Kamikamica will be out for up to three months following back surgery in Brisbane on Friday.
Kamikamica was reduced to bed rest the past fortnight but marginal improvement only forced him and Storm to take the surgical route.
Kamikamica understands a compressed disc has interfered with a nerve, causing pain on the lower right side of his back.
The injury dates back to Melbourne’s Albury training camp prior to the NRL restart.
After some improvement over several weeks the 26-year-old, who was in frightening career-best form before the COVID-19 shutdown, broke down again after two weeks of full training.
“I’ve been in pain the last two weeks, stuck in bed pretty much, can’t move around,” Kamikamica said.
“It is frustrating (going for surgery) but it needs to be done.”
The setback has led to Storm star Justin Olam going from Sunshine Coast roommate, kayak buddy and “brother” to live-in nurse.
“Where our room is, compared to the team rooms, is a fair a walk and obviously I can’t walk that much so Juzzy’s been bringing me breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Kamikamica said.
“I’ve just been watching Netflix in my room, eating and chilling.
“100 per cent (Olam) always looks after me, my brother.”
Kamikamica hopes to be back training inside eight weeks, but remains mindful not to rush the recovery.
“It’s good to know (timeline) because before I didn’t know when I’d be able to get back,” Kamikamica said.
“It’s frustrating but I have to look after the body first, before I get back into full training.”
The Fijian and Storm resident kava king has already laid foundations for the comeback, promising to host a traditional kava ceremony for eager teammates and coaches once he gets back on his feet.
“I’ve got everything here because I knew we were going to be here for a while so I brought it (big wooden kava bowl) up with me,” Kamikamica.
Kamikamica started a kava farm on the tiny island of Taveuni, Fiji, in 2017 solely to help his parents and extended family make ends meet.
He now owns 7000 kava plants, which his father, uncle and “heaps of” cousins tend to.
“My old man is pretty much in control of who works on the farm,” Kamikamica said.
“I just pay the money and they work for it.
“Everyone back home loves the kava, not just Fijians but all the Pacific Islands.”
Foran faces season-defining scans
— Nick Campton
Canterbury will wait with bated breath as Kieran Foran undergoes scans on the latest injury which threatens to once again sideline the luckless playmaker.
Foran missed the second half of Saturday’s loss to the Dragons with a toe injury and depending on the results of the scans he could be facing a lengthy stint out of the top grade.
The Kiwi playmaker is off-contract at season’s end and another lay-off could throw his career into uncertainty. The results of the scans are expected on Monday.
Foran previously missed much of the 2018 season following reconstruction surgery on his left big toe in 2018 but according to Brien Seeney of NRL Physio, the chance of a similar injury is low — but the fact Foran said he felt a similar feeling to the last time he injured his toe is troubling.
“While the hope is he is being cautious after a horrid run with injury in recent seasons, it is of great concern that Foran recognised the same clicking feeling from the first time he suffered the injury,” Seeney said.
“Many NRL players who have suffered serious injuries come to ‘know the feeling’ when certain structures are damaged.
“This (the 2018 injury) usually occurs when damage to the ligaments that surround the joint is so extensive that the joint is unstable or unable to function without causing significant pain.
“Ongoing pain in this joint will limit almost every action on the footy field; running, stepping, kicking and jumping in particular.
“This is a rare injury in the NRL to begin with, and re-injury risk is quite low after a full ligament reconstruction is performed.
“If Foran has damaged the ligaments again it is possible to trial a period of rehab for 2-4 weeks in an effort to settle the pain and increase the strength around the big toe.
“He chose this treatment path the first time he suffered the injury and unfortunately rehab was unsuccessful and season ending surgery was required.”
Foran has endured a horrendous run with injury over the past five years — he’s played just 33 games since joining the Bulldogs in 2018.
He was only seven games into his comeback after he suffered a serious shoulder injury playing for New Zealand against Great Britain last year.
It’s the latest mishap in a horror week for Canterbury after Dean Pay’s resignation and the last-minute loss to St George Illawarra.
“I felt like my toe was a bit of a concern because I’ve had surgery on it back in 2018. I felt a similar feeling to it back when I did it in 2018. It’s pretty sore so I’ll get scans,” Foran said.
“I’ve been all right since I had the surgery on it when I had it fixed up in 2018. I haven’t had any dramas with it, but when I pivoted off my left foot midway through that first half, I felt it click again which is what it felt like when I did it the first time. I hope I’m wrong. I hope I’m just being cautious, but I’m a bit worried.”
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the veteran No.6 as he chases a new deal for 2021, with Foran keen to learn the diagnosis before he makes a call on his future.
“It’s not the best timing. It’s been the story of the last few years for me. I’ve learnt to deal with it and get on with it. Fingers crossed it’s not too bad,” he lamented.
“My priority will be the injury and making sure I’m right. Once I know what I’m dealing with on the injury front, then I can make some calls regarding that call.”
Oates cleared of significant damage
— Peter Badel
The Broncos have received a massive boost with Corey Oates cleared of a compound fracture in his leg following Friday night’s 48-0 loss to the Wests Tigers.
Oates was stretchered off late in the second half and there were fears his season was over — and his entire career under threat — after medicos believed he suffered a suspected compound fracture of his left femur.
A compound fracture of the ankle ended the career of Oates’ former Broncos teammate Jharal Yow Yeh.
But on Saturday Oates was cleared of the serious injury after scans at a Sydney hospital on Friday night diagnosed a large haematoma and a deep gash in his leg.
“He went from devastation to relief,” said his agent George Mimis. “It’s now a process of elimination by the medical team.”
Oates will have surgery Saturday and has been told he could be back on the field within three to four weeks.
“The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body, with over 4000 Newtons of force (400kg) required to fracture this bone,” said NRL Physio Brien Seeney. “The average tackle in the NRL creates approximately 2000 Newtons of force, so for Oates to have suffered a suspected femoral fracture in such innocuous circumstances was a shock to everyone.
The Queensland Origin winger will not fly back to Brisbane but will be driven back to his home town in the coming days with Broncos welfare officer Adam Walsh remaining in Sydney to assist him.
What a massive relief, with Corey Oates cleared of a compound fracture to his femur. After being rushed to hospital he was diagnosed with a large haematoma (bruise/bleeding) and deep gash/laceration to his thigh. Expected return in 3 weeks. Such good news
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 18, 2020
The injury occurred in the 64th minute of the game as Oates was cut down in an innocuous looking legs tackle by Luciano Leilua of the Tigers.
Oates grimaced in pain, but still rose to play the ball, and it was only once the ball was away that he waved for help and collapsed to the ground.
On Fox League, Dan Ginnane said when he saw what looked to be the bulge of the bone poking out that fans may be “feeling queasy at home”.
“Jeez they’re tough footballers,” he said. “He had a bone sticking out of his leg and he tried standing up and getting on with it.”
Oates was stretchered off the field in clear distress and was then transferred to the hospital.
Angus Crichton off with right knee injury, concern by video for MCL sprain as tackler falls on outside of knee causing inward collapse. Can also put pressure on ACL/tibial plateau but likely avoided here. MCL sprain general recovery guide:
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 16, 2020
Gr1: 1-3wks
Gr2: 3-6wks
Gr3: 6-10wks pic.twitter.com/GwQBqo8XN4
On Thursday night the Roosters lost the game to the Raiders, and to add injury to the insult star second rower Angus Crichton was forced from the field with a knee injury after a nasty tackle targeting his legs.
Initial reports from the Roosters were optimistic that Crichton would miss just 1-2 weeks, however, the injury appears to be more serious and the second-row star looks to be facing 3-6 weeks on the sidelines.
This indicates a partial tear of the MCL, with some time in a knee brace usually required in the early stages to allow for adequate tissue healing. Once out of the brace a return to running, direction change and contact training follows, with some players able to accelerate a return in as little as 3 weeks.
Confirmation from the Roosters of a moderate grade MCL sprain for Angus Crichton. Moderate grade usually signifies grade 2 sprain (partial tear), expected return to play of 3-6 weeks pic.twitter.com/puWVci1yIM
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 17, 2020
The Eels made two late changes to their team ahead of Saturday’s match against Manly opting to rest stars Ryan Matterson and Blake Ferguson.
Matterson had been struggling to overcome a thumb injury which troubled him during last week’s win against Newcastle.
Coach Brad Arthur opted to rest both players despite the minor injuries.
“Had it been a final they could have played,” said a source. “Brad (Arthur) has decided not to risk them.”
Whilst a thumb fracture can sound significant, Matterson was pictured during the week with a splint that extended over the tip of his thumb. A fracture in the tip of the thumb, provided it is minor, is often mostly considered a pain tolerance issue and allows a return within 1-3 weeks. For Ferguson the extra week off will do wonders as he manages an ongoing knee issue.
Nathan Brown and Maika Sivo both finished Saturday night in the casualty ward, but thankfully for the Eels they too are looking at rapid returns.
Nasty collision for Maika Sivo’s right knee, with a combination of inward collapse + hyperextension. Video brings multiple concerns. Best case: isolated MCL sprain or bone bruise. Cruciates (PCL>ACL) can also be put under stress but hopefully avoided here #NRLManlyEels pic.twitter.com/tudMuoSRr6
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 18, 2020
Sivo was of most concern, limping from the field in considerable pain after a tackle right before full time. Good news was relayed post-match with the Eels medical staff indicating the knee felt functionally stable, effectively ruling out any ligament damage, with the main concern being a bone bruise or contusion due to the heavy contact to Sivo’s knee.
This was the hoped for best case scenario considering the traumatic nature of the tackle on the right knee, with recovery usually possible within 1-2 weeks. Provided scans reveal no fracture the barnstorming winger is a great chance of being fit for the Eels in Round 11 or 12.
Brown failed to return in the second half after suffering a contusion/cork to his thigh/quad muscle. He attempted to keep warm by riding a bike on the sideline, but unfortunately this is an injury that gets more painful and restrictive in the short term as it cools down.
Although this can limit function for a couple of days, players rarely miss time with a thigh contusion. Of greatest concern to Brown is a high risk of re-injury if he suffers a direct blow to the same spot in the coming weeks.
Although he was able to finish the game, Manly may be without Moses Suli for a period of time after he suffered a rib/sternum injury. After being crunched awkwardly in a tackle, Suli left the field in significant pain and received a pain-killing injection.
It did not look like he would return, until a HIA to Reuben Garrick forced Manly’s hand. Whilst injuries to this area are mostly considered a pain tolerance issue, they cause some of the most severe pain a footballer can suffer.
If a fracture is present, Suli will have to spend at least 2-3 weeks on the sideline to allow for adequate healing time. If as expected he is able to avoid a fracture, he may still require a week or two to let the inflammation and sensitivity settle to a point where he can handle full contact.
Jamal Fogarty left the field with a knee injury during the Titans Round 10 loss to the Storm. With no significant mechanism of injury or reports of expected recovery time, the outlook for the Titans half is currently a bit of a mystery. Commonly innocuous knee injuries are associated with meniscus damage, which if confirmed often results in minor surgery with a 3-6 week recovery.
Another hamstring injury to add to the growing list post Covid-19 season break, with Michael Oldfield expected to miss 3-4 weeks for the Raiders. As always hamstring rehab cannot be rushed, with a high re-injury rate of up to 30% it is much better to be safe than sorry when planning a return.
Details of the Eels injuries have been revealed:
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 17, 2020
Ryan Matterson - small thumb fracture, likely to tip of thumb considering splint. Quick recovery, pain tolerance big issue
Blake Ferguson - fluid on knee, need it to settle
Both wanted to play this week, should return in Round 11
An injury situation to keep an eye on is that of James Roberts. Despite finishing the game on Saturday night he looked extremely limited with movement of his right arm after suffering what appeared to be at least a moderate pectoral strain midway through the second half.
With no report from the Rabbitohs of any concern at this stage the hope is that Roberts was more hurt than injured and will be fine to suit up in Round 11.
NRL CASUALTY WARD
Brisbane Broncos
Corey Oates (leg, TBC)
Matt Lodge (knee, round 10)
Alex Glenn (knee, round 15-17)
Kotoni Staggs (hamstring, round 11)
Jake Turpin (leg, round 11)
Jesse Arthars (knee, round 12-13)
David Fifita (knee, round 12)
Joe Ofahengaue (suspended, round 10)
Jordan Kahu (shoulder, indefinite)
Sean O’Sullivan (knee, indefinite)
Keenan Palasia (knee, indefinite)
Jack Bird (ACL, season)
Canberra Raiders
Michael Oldfield (hamstring, TBC)
Josh Hodgson (knee, season)
Bailey Simonsson (shoulder, season)
Sia Soliola (facial fracture, finals)
Emre Guler (ankle, round 17-19)
Corey Horsburgh (foot, round 20)
John Bateman (shoulder, indefinite)
Sebastian Kris (extended sick leave)
Andre Niko (knee, season)
Curtis Scott (infection, round 11)
Canterbury Bulldogs
Kieran Foran (toe, TBC)
Will Hopoate (ankle, round 13-15)
Joe Stimson (shoulder, season)
Adam Elliott (shoulder, season)
Cronulla Sharks
Andrew Fifita (hamstring, round 13)
Matt Moylan (hamstring, round 12-14)
Bronson Xerri (stood down)
Cameron King (ACL, season)
Gold Coast Titans
Mitch Rein (knee, round 13)
Kevin Proctor (biceps, round 11)
Phillip Sami (dislocated shoulder, round 13)
AJ Brimson (back, indefinite)
Young Tonumaipea (knee, indefinite)
Ryan James (knee, season)
Jonus Pearson (pectoral, season)
Manly Sea Eagles
Dylan Walker (ankle, round 12-13)
Moses Suli (sternum, TBC)
Reuben Garrick (HIA)
Morgan Boyle (groin, round 11-12)
Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 15)
Albert Hopoate (knee, indefinite)
Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder)
Addin Fonua-Blake (suspended, round 11)
Melbourne Storm
Jesse Bromwich (knee, round 13-14)
Tui Kamikamica (lower back, three months)
Tom Eisenhuth (hamstring, round 12-13)
Max King (achilles, round 13-14)
Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring, round 11)
Newcastle Knights
Daniel Saifiti (knee, round 11-12)
Edrick Lee (arm, indefinite)
Jayden Brailey (knee, season)
North Queensland Cowboys
Valentine Holmes (ankle, round 18-20)
Peter Hola (wrist, TBC)
Scott Drinkwater (knee, TBC)
Tom Opacic (knee, TBC)
Jordan McLean (calf, round 11)
John Asiata (knee, round 11)
Michael Morgan (shoulder, indefinite)
Parramatta Eels
Oregon Kaufusi (broken hand, round 13-14)
Nathan Brown (hip, TBC)
Maika Sivo (knee, TBC)
Ray Stone (broken hand, round 14-15)
Mitchell Moses (calf, round 11-12)
Kane Evans (calf, indefinite)
Penrith Panthers
Charlie Staines (COVID, round 11)
Zane Tetevano (back, indefinite)
Brian To’o (ankle, round 17)
Kurt Capewell (knee, round 17)
Pat Hollis (abdominal, indefinite)
South Sydney Rabbitohs
James Roberts (Pectoral, finals/season)
Ethan Lowe (Neck, finals/season)
Tom Amone (knee, season)
Campbell Graham (facial fracture, round 12-13)
Liam Knight (ankle, round 13-15)
Latrell Mitchell (suspended, round 12)
Braidon Burns (knee, season)
St George Illawarra Dragons
Brayden Wiliame (calf, round 11)
Jack de Belin (stood down)
Sydney Roosters
Angus Crichton (MCL, 14-15)
Nat Butcher (ribs, round 11)
Daniel Tupou (ankle, round 15)
Victor Radley (knee, season)
Sam Verrills (knee, season)
Billy Smith (knee, season)
Warriors
Adam Keighran (knee, round 11-13)
Nathaniel Roache (knee, round 12-14)
Leeson Ah Mau (pectoral, indefinite)
Rocco Berry (back, indefinite)
Taane Milne (knee, season)
Jackson Frei (knee, season)
Bunty Afoa (knee, season)
Selestino Ravutaumada (season)
Wests Tigers
Joey Leilua (suspended, round 13)
Alex Twal (knee, round 11)
Jacob Liddle (knee, round 14-15)
Zane Musgrove (foot, round 16-18)
Robert Jennings (hamstring, round 11-12)
Josh Reynolds (suspended, round 12)