Ugly scenes as NRL’s biggest flaw resurfaces

The Cronulla Sharks dominated the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday afternoon as the NRL’s injury crisis continued to rear its ugly head.

Josh Dugan left the field for Head Injury Assessment in his side's match against the Cowboys.

The Cronulla Sharks obliterated the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday afternoon in a record-breaking 48-10 win.

It was Cronulla’s biggest ever victory over North Queensland, who are still yet to win a game in season 2021.

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The Sharks also bested their previous highest score against the Cowboys of 46.

Once again, the NRL’s injury crisis dominated discussion during the game. Five players left the field injured in the first half of another brutal clash.

Josh Dugan, Justin O’Neill, Murray Taulagi and Jordan McLean were all sent for HIAs, with only McLean able to return.

Dugan and O’Neill were victims of a nasty head clash in the 22nd minute which left Dugan looking worse for wear. Sharks fans held their breath as he lay on the ground after the incident, bleeding from his head.

“You could see his eyes on the way down, he didn’t look too well,” said Fox League commentator Steve Roach.

Murray Taulagi followed the pair into the sheds shortly before halftime, with medical staff confirming he would play no further part in the game.

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo sustained a leg injury which also forced him from the field.

Josh Dugan’s horrific injury.

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At halftime, footy fans and experts were left lamenting the physical toll of the modern game.

“I have legit never enjoyed the footy less and that includes the two years my team were kicked out of the comp. Blow out after blow out, injury after injury,” tweeted podcaster Matt Bungard.

After the staggering amount of injuries sustained in last week’s games, the ARLC approved a new rule which will allow teams to substitute injured players off for an 18th man.

The 18th man is able to enter the contest when three team members fail HIAs, but must be an “emerging player” from the team’s squad. The rule will come into effect in round five.

Saturday afternoon’s game began as an arm wrestle, but the floodgates well and truly opened for the Sharks midway through the first stanza. John Morris’ men ran in six tries during the first half and headed into the break with a 36-6 lead.

The Cowboys were able to slow the Sharks’ momentum, but still conceded two tries to one in the second term.

Pundits were unimpressed by the Cowboys’ performance, taking to social media to air their greivances.

“Forgot this game was on. Apparently so did the Cowboys,” tweeted sports reporter Veronica Eggleton.

“A week is a long time in footy. It was only seven days ago I thought the Cowboys would only win 2 games all season. Now I’m convinced,” wrote journalist Rhys O’Neill.

North Queensland will hope to make amends for Saturday’s horror show when they face the Wests Tigers next Sunday.