Magic Round 'gamble' racks up solid injury toll

Why not play a couple of games in suburban grounds next time, to take a bit of pressure off Suncorp surface?

Latrell Mitchell of the Roosters is seen reacting after suffering an injury after scoring a try during the Round 9 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Sunday, May 12, 2019. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Picture: DARREN ENGLAND

OPINION:

THE NRL's Magic Round took an enormous injury toll and I can't say it was totally unexpected.

I was pretty surprised to see how much turf was being ripped up during the Thursday night game to kick off the weekend, between the Sharks and Titans.

Obviously there'd been a bit of water around, but it looked pretty soft early.

I had grave concerns about how the field would hold up come Sunday afternoon.

To be fair to the ground staff, it was in a lot better nick than I expected, but it looked pretty beaten up.

The injury list that came out of the weekend was pretty significant.

Daniel Tupou and Boyd Cordner are huge for the Roosters, while Latrell Mitchell going down with what initially appeared to be a major groin issue would've sent hearts into mouths of NRL executives.

Admittedly, a lot of injuries you'd be hard pressed to blame on the turf.

Latrell Mitchell of the Roosters scores a try during the Round 9 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Sunday, May 12, 2019. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Picture: DAVE HUNT

Head knocks sent a number of big names off early and master coach Wayne Bennett, whose Rabbitohs side played the final game of the round, declared no issues with the Suncorp Stadium surface.

But it was Canberra Raiders flyer Jordan Rapana's injury that sparked a few questions.

He appeared to indicate the surface had played a part when he went down behind the play with a suspected PCL injury to his knee.

It was always going to be a gamble staging eight NRL games on one surface in one round.

I'd love to see a couple of games next year played at suburban grounds around Brisbane, perhaps Redcliffe, to preserve Suncorp a little better.

Originally published as Magic Round 'gamble' racks up solid injury toll