Parramatta prodigy Dylan Brown sidelined with ‘cricket injury’
Parramatta have suffered a huge blow with young gun Dylan Brown set to miss up to eight weeks of football with an injury more common with cricket fast bowlers.
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NRL teams: Mass changes after injury carnage
Parramatta have suffered a huge injury blow with young gun Dylan Brown set to miss up to eight weeks of football due to bone bruising in his lower back.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the teenager suffered the setback while playing Penrith in a preseason trial match in February.
It’s understood Brown could play on with the injury but Eels medical staff have opted to take a “conservative approach” and rest the five-eighth.
But that means the 18-year-old won’t even train until the bone bruising has fully healed, when he will then need to be gradually brought back up to match fitness.
The injury is common among cricket fast bowlers.
Brown has played every minute of the Eels’ three games so far and didn’t require any pain management to get through those matches.
Coach Brad Arthur has a ready-made replacement in Jaeman Salmon, who missed round one due to a suspension over a drink driving infringement and has been used as an interchange utility against Canterbury and the Sydney Roosters.
The crafty 20-year old will be promoted into the starting side to partner Mitchell Moses in the halves.
The two youngsters were locked in a battle to secure the starting five-eighth spot before Arthur opted to go with Brown to start the season.
Now Salmon has a chance to cement his spot at No.6 and keep Brown, the club’s hottest prospect, out of the NRL side.
Tepai Moeroa also returns into the starting side at lock. He was ruled out after suffering a calf strain during the warm-up to last week’s 32-18 loss against the Roosters. Peni Terepo moves back to the bench.
The Eels’ Saturday night opponents also have their own injury dramas. Fullback Matt Moylan will be sidelined for at least four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Josh Dugan has been named to start at the back with youngster Bronson Xerri to make his NRL debut at right centre.
Originally published as Parramatta prodigy Dylan Brown sidelined with ‘cricket injury’
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