NRL Casualty Ward: Sam Walker and Brandon Smith both suffer ruptured ACLs, Victor Radley fractures scapula
In a sliver of good news for the Sydney Roosters, enforcer Victor Radley will consult with specialists in a bid to return to the side during the finals following season-ending injuries to Sam Walker and Brandon Smith.
Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley is set to sidestep an operation and consult a shoulder specialist in a bid to keep alive his hopes of playing again this season.
The Roosters confirmed that Radley had suffered a fracture to his left scapula in the 50t minute of their loss to Canberra at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, at the time appearing to bring a premature end to his season.
However, the club confirmed on Monday afternoon that Radley would have non-operative management before being reviewed by a shoulder specialist.
It is understood officials are optimistic Radley will be available again at some point in the finals, although discussions with the shoulder surgeon are set to play a key role in determining exactly when that will be.
The Roosters are well versed in scapular injuries – Cooper Cronk played in a grand final with a fractured scapular when he helped the club to victory in the grand final six years ago.
The Roosters were able to hide Cronk in the defensive line on that occasion. Radley’s injury would be more problematic in that respect because his position in the back row wouldn’t allow him to shirk his workload.
However, Radley is also one of the toughest players in the game and has time on his side given the Roosters are guaranteed a second chance in the finals.
While he is considered a chance to play again this year, the Roosters confirmed that Sam Walker and Brandon Smith were done.
Walker suffered an ACL tear to his left knee against the Raiders and will undergo reconstructive surgery later this week.
Smith damaged the right MCL and ACL. He will initially be in a brace and the club said a decision would be made in the coming weeks regarding an operation.
Nat Butcher also left the field in the second half and was diagnosed with concussion, meaning he will enter the NRL’s mandatory 11-day stand-down period.
Walker, Smith suffer ACL ruptures in horror injury day for Roosters
-Peter Badel, Michael Carayannis and Phil Rothfield
The Sydney Roosters’ premiership hopes have suffered a triple blow with scans confirming star halfback Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith have ruptured their ACLs and faces nine months on the sidelines, while Victor Radley has a fractured scapula.
The confirmation of injuries continues the fallout from the 51 minutes of chaos during the Tricolours’ shock 14-12 loss to Canberra on Sunday.
Smith hobbled off in the 38th minute after being caught in an Elliott Whitehead tackle, while Radley left the field 30 minutes from time on a horror afternoon for the Bondi glamour club.
There were concerns Walker had sustained a possible ACL tear after the Queensland Origin hopeful grabbed at his knee after contesting a kick in the 11th minute.
The Roosters’ worst fears were realised overnight, with sources close to Walker and Smith confirming they had both snapped their anterior cruciate ligaments after being taken to a Sydney hospital for scans, while the Radley news broke on Monday morning.
Walker and Smith are out of the upcoming finals series and are expected to undergo reconstructive surgery this week, while the Roosters are expected to confirm on Monday if Radley requires season-ending surgery.
Walker, 22, and Smith, 28, may not return until April or May next year, and the expected loss of Radley leaving the Roosters’ 2024 title ambitions in tatters.
The Roosters face an inner-city derby with the Rabbitohs in the final round of the regular season this Friday night and will be forced into an 11th hour scrumbase reshuffle on the eve of the playoffs.
In their absence, Roosters coach Trent Robinson is set to turn to 21-year-old Sandon Smith to partner Luke Keary in the halves, and NSW Origin utility Connor Watson to step in at hooker and keep the Bondi club in the title race.
Nat Butcher (concussion) was another casualty during the loss to Canberra.
The loss placed the Roosters’ hopes of a home game in the first week of the finals in jeopardy – they need to beat the Rabbitohs on Friday night and hope the Panthers lose to the Gold Coast the following night to finish second.
However, there was no greater concern than Walker.
A Roosters official said the halfback heard a popping sound when he fell to the ground in Canberra’s in-goal attempting to chase a kick in the first half.
Horrible coincidence, but this is the 4th season in 5 years the Roosters have had 2 ACL ruptures occur in the same game:
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 1, 2024
2020 - Victor Radley & Sam Verrills
2021 - Brett Morris & Lindsay Collins
2022 - Billy Smith & Sitili Tupouniua
2024 - Sam Walker & Brandon Smith@Nickyyniss
“It doesn’t look good for Sammy,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said. “It’s really disappointing. It was tough, untouched, when Sammy went down, then Brandon (Smith). It’s tough when you finish a game and you have carnage like that.
“Belief is high and we’ve got a squad for that reason and you’ve got to believe in who’s coming next.”
The Roosters recently signed veteran Cowboys playmaker Chad Townsend for 2025 and the former Cronulla premiership halfback now becomes a crucial cut-price purchase for the club.
Walker’s season-ending breakdown comes at a crucial time for multiple reasons.
The Ipswich sensation, who has 12 months left on his contract, is locked in talks about a rich extension with the club.
Meanwhile, Brandon Smith picked up a knock on the same knee earlier in the game but just before halftime he was caught in a hip-drop tackle by Elliott Whitehead that ultimately resulted in him limping from the field.
Sandon Smith finished with a 12-point haul, including a try, during the Roosters’ NSW Cup 34-21 win against the Raiders on Sunday. He picked up a minor ankle complaint but should be right to play if called into the NRL side.
Watson said Walker’s injury was a cruel blow.
“It’s tough to hear that, especially if it’s Sammy’s ACL,” Watson said. “It’s a big nine-to-12-month recovery. I hope that’s not the case.
“Those guys are so important to us. Hopefully it’s not as bad as they are saying. Guys coming in have to be better than we were. As soon as we lost Sammy we lost our way.
“Sandon has been playing some great footy in the NSW Cup. Sandon has been playing well when he stepped into the NRL. We know what he is capable of.”
While the Roosters’ focus remains on winning the title this year, Walker’s injury complicates their 2025 preparations. Walker and Smith were due to start the season in the halves given Keary is Catalans bound.
Townsend’s impending arrival will now be more important than the Roosters originally planned.
“(Sandon Smith) is probably going to be in a position next year where he is starting in the halves,” Watson said. “It’s a big opportunity for Sandon to cement the spot.”
Watson will also carry more of the burden should Brandon Smith have an extended stint on the sidelines. Watson originally came on to the field as cover for Walker before Brandon Smith’s injury.
“I’m happy to fill in wherever,” Watson said. “It’s tough after losing those boys.”
Weekend losses by Cronulla and the Roosters have given Penrith a chance of a top-two finish and a likely home final.
The Roosters nearly pinched the game but Keary’s conversion attempt to go to extra time narrowly missed.
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