NRL casualty ward round 3: Cowboys in crisis
THE Cowboys could send an SOS to exciting young winger Gideon Gela-Mosby this week with Justin O’Neill in doubt for Saturday’s derby
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THE Cowboys could send an SOS to exciting young winger Gideon Gela-Mosby this week with Justin O’Neill in doubt for Saturday’s derby against the Titans.
In a big blow for North Queensland, O’Neill and Kyle Feldt will on Monday be sent for scans after they both went down in their side’s 30-8 loss to Manly on Saturday night.
O’Neill was taken from the field late in the first half with a hamstring problem and failed to return, with club officials confirming he is unlikely to play in the coming weekend.
Feldt meanwhile suffered a double blow, injuring his ankle midway through the second half before hyperextending his knee before the end of the match.
He stayed on the field but was in obvious pain, struggling to walk at times, and the Cowboys are unsure how he will go heading into Saturday’s match.
With Lachlan Coote (calf) and Antonio Winterstein (arm) already on the sideline, things are not looking promising for the Cowboys ahead of their trip to the Gold Coast.
But the injury crisis could open the door for Gela-Mosby to make his long-awaited NRL debut.
The flashy Northern Pride winger was reportedly solid in Saturday night’s loss to the Sunshine Coast and has been in Green’s 21-man squad for all three rounds so far.
After stunning the rugby league world with impressive performances at the Auckland Nines over the last two years, Cowboys fans have been waiting to see Gela-Mosby in action for the club at NRL level.
And five-eighth Michael Morgan believes the speedy sensation could be trusted to make his debut if the news is not good for O’Neill or Feldt.
Morgan said the 20-year-old is ready to convert his scintillating Nines form to the NRL field.
“He’s a powerful runner of the ball,” Morgan said.
“He showed a little bit of what he can do at the Nines when he had his opportunities. At the moment there are a few guys who are being presented with opportunities.
“Unfortunately we have had a bad sort of run of injuries. That opens the door for other guys to come in.
“If he’s given his (chance), I’m sure he’s been waiting a little while for it and wants it, so he’ll do well if he’s there.”
Veteran forward Gavin Cooper also backed the Cairns-born flyer to handle a first grade call-up on Saturday night, praising Gela-Mosby’s natural ability with the ball.
“He’s a natural footballer,” Cooper said.
“Everyone saw at the Nines, he’s not just a finisher but he’s pretty cluey for a winger. He knows how to play footy. That’s something he’s really good at and it comes very natural to him.”
Another option coach Paul Green could take is using utility Ben Hampton at centre. Young fullback Kalyn Ponga also appeared to pick up a knee injury in an awkward tackle but is expected to be fine for Saturday’s meeting with the Titans.
Meanwhile, Storm pair Cameron Munster (broken jaw) and Suliasi Vunivalu (dislocated shoulder) are expected to miss a month, which could open the door for young gun Curtis Scott.
The Eels face a hooker crisis following an injury to Kaysa Pritchard (ankle). Reserve rakes Isaac De Gois (concussion) and Cameron King (sternum) are also injured, and coach Brad Arthur may be forced to name a makeshift No. 9 on Tuesday.
The Titans’ woes worsened following injuries to Daniel Sarginson (knee, round 6, pre-game), Will Zillman (calf) and Tyrone Roberts (hamstring). They now have 11 players in the casualty ward, including star signing Jarryd Hayne (ankle, round 7).
The Knights finished the game without Brendan Elliott due to concussion, while Nathan Ross (ankle) will be assessed.
The Rabbitohs have been hit hard by the match review committee with three players facing a total of 11 weeks in suspensions.
Hymel Hunt is facing six weeks for the high tackle that knocked out Newcastle fullback Brendan Elliott, reduced to four weeks with an early guilty plea.
George Burgess is facing three weeks for his errant elbows on Mitch Barnett, reduced to two weeks with early guilty plea.
Young winger Braidon Burns is facing two weeks for a shoulder charge, reduced to one with early plea.
WEEKEND NRL CASUALTY WARD
* Tevita Pangai Jnr (Ankle, Next game) - pre-game
* Cameron Munster (Broken jaw, Round 8)
* Suliasi Vunivalu (Dislocated shoulder, Round 8)
* Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Concussion, Next game) - pre-game
* Manu Vatuvei (Knee, TBC)
* Daniel Sarginson (Knee, Round six) - pre-game
* Will Zillman (Calf, TBC)
* Tyrone Roberts (Hamstring, TBC) - not serious
* Kaysa Pritchard (Ankle TBC)
* Brendan Elliott (Concussion, TBC) - didn’t return
* Sione Mata’utia (Concussion, TBC)
* Nathan Ross (Ankle, TBC)
* James Fisher-Harris (Fractured cheekbone, TBC)
* Bryce Cartwright (Bone bruising in ankle, next game) - pre-game
* Justin O’Neill (Hamstring, TBC)
* Kyle Feldt (Ankle, TBC)
* Jai Field (Hamstring, TBC)
* Elijah Taylor (Family reasons, TBC)
* Chris Lawrence (Concussion, TBC)
* Sauaso Sue (Concussion, TBC)
* Kevin Naiqama (Concussion, TBC)
* Wade Graham (Concussion, TBC)
JUDICIARY REPORT
* George Burgess (striking) — facing three weeks, reduced to two with early plea
* Hymel Hunt (high tackle) — facing six weeks, reduced to four with early plea
* Braidon Burns (shoulder charge) — facing two weeks, reduced to one with early plea
* Josh Starling (dangerous contact) — facing one week, but can escape ban with early plea
* Apisai Koroisau (dangerous throw) — facing one week, but can escape ban with early plea
* Tepai Moeroa (shoulder charge) — facing two weeks, reduced to one with early plea
FULL NRL CASUALTY WARD
Broncos
Tevita Pangai Jr (Ankle, Round 4)
Bulldogs
Kerrod Holland (Shoulder, Round 7)
Will Hopoate (Fractured cheekbone, Round 9)
Richie Kennar (Foot, Round 6)
Asipeli Fine (Lung, Round 6)
Chase Stanley (Knee, Indefinite)
Cowboys
Lachlan Coote (Calf, Round 4)
Justin O’Neill (Hamstring, Indefinite)
Kyle Feldt (Ankle, Indefinite)
Antonio Winterstein (Broken forearm, Round 7)
Josh Chudleigh (ACL, Season)
Matt Scott (ACL, Season)
Jason Taumalolo (Suspension, Round 5)
Dragons
Yaw Kiti Glymin (Shoulder, Indefinite)
Will Matthews (Dislocated hip, Indefinite)
Drew Hutchison (ACL, Season)
Eels
John Folau (Wrist, Round 6)
Matt Woods (Shoulder, Round 8)
Peni Terepo (Disciplinary, Round 4)
Greg Leleisiuao (ACL, Round 12)
Will Smith (Knee, Round 6)
Isaac De Gois (Concussion, Indefinite)
Kenny Edwards (Disciplinary, Round 8)
Corey Norman (Hamstring, Round 4)
Cameron King (Sternum, Indefinite)
Kaysa Pritchard (Ankle, Indefinite)
Tepai Moeroa (Facing suspension, TBC)
Knights
Pauli Pauli (Hip, Round 8)
Rory Kostjasyn (Throat, Round 6)
Jarrod Mullen (Drugs ban, Indefinite)
Dylan Phythian (ACL, Season)
Sam Mataora (Knee, Indefinite)
Chanel Mata’utia (Knee, Round 4)
Jack Cogger (Pelvis, Round 16)
Jaelen Feeney (Knee, Indefinite)
Brendan Elliott (Concussion, Indefinite)
Sione Mata’utia (Concussion, Indefinite)
Nathan Ross (Ankle, Indefinite)
Panthers
Josh Mansour (ACL, Round 12)
Sam McKendry (ACL, Season)
James Fisher-Harris (Fractured cheekbone, Indefinite)
Bryce Cartwright (Ankle, Round 4)
Rabbitohs
Aaron Gray (Medial, Round 10)
Jake Goisweski (Knee, Round 12)
Connor Tracey (ACL, Indefinite)
Greg Inglis (ACL, Season)
George Burgess (Possible suspension, TBC)
Hymel Hunt (Possible suspension, TBC)
Braidon Burns (Possible suspension, TBC)
Raiders
Kato Ottio (ACL, Indefinite)
Kurt Baptiste (Achilles, Indefinite)
Joseph Tapine (Broken finger, Round 6)
Roosters
Sio Siua Taukeiaho (ACL, Indefinite)
Kane Evans (Calf, Round 4)
Blake Ferguson (Rib cartilage, Round 4)
Sea Eagles
Brad Parker (Knee, Round 5)
Brett Stewart (Knee, Season)
Steve Matai (Neck, Season)
Darcy Lussick (Wrist, Round 6)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Suspension, Round 4)
Martin Taupau (Suspension, Round 4)
Lloyd Perrett (Eye socket, Round 6)
Sharks
Daniel Mortimer (Knee, Round 8)
Wade Graham (Concussion, TBC)
Storm
Cameron Munster (Broken jaw, Round 8)
Suliasi Vunivalu (Dislocated shoulder, Round 8)
Tohu Harris (Foot, Round 9)
Tigers
Tim Simona (Disciplinary, Indefinite)
Jacob Liddle (Shoulder, Round 4)
Jamal Idris (Foot, Round 4)
Elijah Taylor (Family reasons, TBC)
Chris Lawrence (Concussion, TBC)
Sauaso Sue (Concussion, TBC)
Kevin Naiqama (Concussion, TBC)
Titans
David Shillington (Shoulder, Season)
Nathan Peats (Shoulder, Round 9)
Pat Politoni (Broken arm, Round 4)
John Olive (Pectoral, Indefinite)
Daniel Vidot (Groin, Indefinite)
Anthony Don (Dislocated shoulder, Indefinite)
Karl Lawton (Dislocated shoulder, Indefinite)
Jarryd Hayne (Ankle, Round 7)
Will Zillman (Calf, Indefinite)
Daniel Sarginson (Knee, Round 6)
Tyrone Roberts (Hamstring, Indefinite)
Warriors
Kieran Foran (Shoulder, Round 4)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Concussion, Round 4)
Ben Matulino (Knee, Round 10)
Manu Vatuvei (Knee, Indefinite)