Dolphins confirm ACL rupture for Tom Gilbert, Cowboys suspect Coen Hess ACL injury

Another Maroons star is set to be rubbed out for the season with a suspected ACL injury, a day after Dolphins forward Tom Gilbert was ruled out for the season. Updated NRL Casualty Ward.

Dolphins star Tom Gilbert suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last year. NRL Imagery

Coen Hess is set to be the second representative player rubbed out of the season through injury.

Hess is feared to have suffered the same fate as fellow Queensland Origin player Tom Gilbert with scans expected to confirm that Hess has ruptured his ACL.

The injury would rule Hess out for the rest of the year.

Coen Hess has suffered a suspected ACL injury. Picture: Evan Morgan

Dolphins confirm heartbreaking news for rep star

-Martin Gabor and Adam Mobbs

The Dolphins have suffered a major blow with the club confirming rep star Tom Gilbert will miss the entire 2024 season after he ruptured the ACL in his right knee during Saturday’s loss to the Warriors.

It’s devastating news for the aggressive forward who missed most of the 2023 season after he injured his shoulder in game one of the State of Origin series.

Gilbert was on the comeback trail and poised for a big season for the Dolphins but will now be sidelined for 2024 after he suffered a non-contact injury after he changed direction and went down four minutes into the second half.

Tom Gilbert will miss the entire season after he ruptured his ACL on the weekend. Picture: NRL Photos

It’s a cruel blow for the 23-year-old who started 11 games at lock last year and was one of the club’s best players before he got injured while playing for the Maroons.

“Tom is now effectively out for the 2024 season because of this injury, which generally requires a nine to twelve month rehab period,” Dolphins head of performance Jeremy Hickmans said.

“On a positive note, he has already shown us how dedicated he is and that he is willing to go to all lengths through a long rehabilitation with his comeback from last year’s shoulder surgery.

“I have no doubt he will replicate those efforts and be back ready to go for the 2025 season.”

Turuva’s knee on ice

-Matt Encarnacion

Penrith will be nervously waiting on scans for winger Sunia Turuva following the club’s loss at the World Club Challenge, as he looked to have aggravated a right knee injury after attempting to tapback a long Cleary kick in the second half.

The sight of the rookie of the year limping from the field was eerily similar to teammate May suffering an ACL injury in the corresponding fixture last year that ended his season.

Sunia Turuva failed to finish the WCC this morning after suffering a right knee injury. Video shows flexed knee into ground mechanism - main concern for PCL injury.

Post match Penrith indicated Turuva had a PCL issue last season. Would be surprised if it was a lengthy recovery. pic.twitter.com/uP0vMwiMvu

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 25, 2024

“He’s had a bit of an issue with PCL across this pre-season. I think he’s just stirred that up again. So, hopefully that’s the case,” Cleary said.

His injury could force coach Ivan Cleary to rely on his depth for their season-opener against Melbourne in two weeks, including Canterbury recruit Paul Alamoti or youngster Jesse McLean.

Originally published as Dolphins confirm ACL rupture for Tom Gilbert, Cowboys suspect Coen Hess ACL injury