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NRL 2024: Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King to miss six weeks with wrist injury

Max King will miss up to six weeks with a wrist injury, thinning Canterbury’s forward stocks even further as they make a dash to the finals for the first time in seven years.

Max King had surgery on his wrist. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Max King had surgery on his wrist. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Canterbury’s finals hopes have been dealt a major blow with key forward Max King set to miss six weeks with a wrist injury that requires surgery. 

King, who will go under the knife on Monday, has been easily the Bulldogs’ best front-rower this year, averaging 111 metres and 33 tackles in 52 minutes per game so far this season. 

Second-rower Viliame Kikau and versatile forward Josh Curran are the only other Canterbury forwards who average over 100m for coach Cameron Ciraldo. 

The Bulldogs have roared to fifth spot on the NRL ladder after winning five of their past six games, raising hopes of ending a seven-year finals drought. 

But King’s absence is a serious blow with just eight games left following this week’s bye. 

Canterbury play five of their next six games on the road, including a “home” game against the Dolphins in Bundaberg, Queensland. 

The bad news on King comes after it was revealed Ryan Sutton looks set to be ruled out of the season with a knee injury, with Poasa Faamausili and Chris Patolo now likely to get call-ups

Phil Rothfield
Phil RothfieldSports Editor-at-Large

Phil Buzz Rothfield is a 43-year veteran of sports journalism. He covered his first rugby league grand final in 1978 - the Manly Sea Eagles - Cronulla Sharks replay. Buzz has been involved in the coverage of every State of Origin game since its inception in 1980 and has covered sport in major countries including England, Russia, the United States and Brazil.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2024-canterbury-bulldogs-prop-max-king-to-miss-six-weeks-with-wrist-injury/news-story/4d263d7bb5a7023cc595a35813cdfac0