Tyson Frizell injury leaves Dragons forward stocks in crisis

The Dragons started the season as one of the TAB’s fourth best-backed team to win the comp but their hopes appear to have nosedived on the back of losing two State of Origin aces.

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St George Illawarra’s forward stocks are in crisis heading into Thursday night’s clash against South Sydney with star Origin forward Tyson Frizell the latest casualty with a ruptured testicle.

Coming on the back of Jack de Belin’s indefinite ban, the Dragons have now lost Frizell for an estimated four to six weeks after he underwent surgery in Townsville following Saturday’s loss to North Queensland.

The Dragons are also without new recruit Korbin Sims who still has one match to serve on a suspension he carried with him from the Brisbane Broncos.

The Dragons started the season as one of the TAB’s fourth best-backed team to win the comp but their hopes appear to have nosedived on the back of the loss of de Belin and now Frizell.

The replacement options available to coach Paul McGregor are also slim with rookies Josh Kerr and Reece Robson the only forwards named on the extended round one bench who did not play against the Cowboys.

Tyson Frizell has been sidelined for up to six weeks after undergoing surgery for a ruptured testicle. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Kerr is a young tearaway forward who looked impressive playing for the Indigenous All Stars though he is yet to make his NRL debut.

Robson is a talented hooker who could give McGregor the option on the bench of moving Cam McInnes to play at lock, which he did at stages during the pre-season trials with the starting No. 9 providing a Cam Murray-style impact.

Whichever way McGregor goes with the makeup of his starting team, the fact is they are two Origin backrowers down at a time when the club is desperate for some strong on-field performances after an off-season marred by controversy.

Dragons’ head of athletic performance Nathan Pickworth confirmed Frizell’s injury, while popular NRLPhysio Brien Seeney estimated a testicle rupture usually requires a four to six week recovery.

It basically leaves the Dragons playing $1.5 million under their salary cap and missing their two best forwards coming up against the rampaging Rabbitohs who took down reigning premiers Sydney Roosters last Friday night.

Josh Kerr could win a spot in the Dragons pack following Tyson Frizell’s injury. Picture: Dragons Digital

What makes the Dragons’ predicament more dire is the fact the club still has no clarity from the NRL on how much, if any, salary cap relief would be granted due to de Belin’s “no fault” stand down if the club was to apply for relief.

It is understood the Dragons could only hope to apply to replace de Belin with another player on a near minimum wage, and options available on the open market now the season has started are thin.

Of all the forwards McGregor could ill afford to lose, Frizell was it.

The tough forward suffered the injury after copping accidental knee in the groin late in the game. The Dragons flew home from Townville yesterday and have a short turnaround heading into Thursday night’s clash.

The following week they travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos.