Knee injury puts Gareth Widdop on sidelines

AFTER a heartbreaking defeat to the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day, the bad news has continued for St George Illawarra.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — APRIL 25: Gareth Widdop of the Dragons looks dejected as he leaves the field with an injury during the round eight NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Allianz Stadium on April 25, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

St George Illawarra’s flying start to the NRL season has been dealt a massive blow with in-form five-eighth Gareth Widdop ruled out for six weeks with a left knee injury.

Widdop has been diagnosed with a medial ligament strain after going down in the Dragons’ 13-12 Anzac Day golden-point loss to the Sydney Roosters.

The Dragons now face a massive struggle without their star No. 6 with statistics showing he has either scored or had a hand in more than half of their points over the first eight rounds.

Gareth Widdop in full flight.

Despite the loss of their star man Widdop, Dragons veteran Jason Nightingale says the club is more than prepared to cover the injured half.

“Obviously it is very disappointing for our club — he’s our captain and our leader,” Nightingale told Fox Sport’s NRL Tonight.

“Six weeks is a long time to be without such a great player, but I think we’ve done a lot of things this year to make sure we do put players in positions to jump in there and slot right in.

“We’ve got a few options there that have trained really well in pre-season, Jake Field, in the pre-season and Kurt Mann slotted in their at the weekend, and has also done a lot of work there.

“We do have options and we feel confident in whoever does get that role.”

Widdop has been the attacking spark that has driven St George-Illawarra to second position on the NRL ladder.

Gareth Widdop on the charge.

The Dragons unexpected climb up the table has been due to workmanlike performances, as coach Paul McGregor emphasises teamwork, rather than a reliance on star power.

Nightingale says that ethos has proved the difference for the team in 2017.

“I think a big thing we’ve worked on is that we are one squad,” Nightingale said.

“We’re not just 17 or a team of 13, it’s a whole squad thing. We train together a lot of the time and we’re always doing opposed sessions (against the Intrust Super Premiership side) and players are always jumping in there, with our attack and defensive structures.

“So, it gives us confidence going forward and I think it’s a big part of our performances this year.

“We’ve done a bit of learning, a bit of soul searching in the off-season, grown a lot and continue to learn what our strengths are and learn about our brand of footy.”

W - AAP

Originally published as Knee injury puts Gareth Widdop on sidelines