NRL Casualty Ward: Kurt Mann’s gruesome shiner; Liam Ison ACL injury a major blow for Cronulla Sharks

Kurt Mann has revealed the shocking extent of a ‘clip’ to his head which has left the Canterbury forward with a gruesome black eye. Plus, a rising Cronulla star suffers a horror injury setback.

Kurt Mann has revealed the shocking extent of a ‘clip’ to his head which has left the Canterbury forward with a gruesome black eye in the wake of the Bulldogs’ win over the Dragons.

Mann’s right eye was already heavily swollen immediately following the match, having copped a hit to the face while trying to run down barnstorming Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu.

But on Sunday, the hardworking forward posted the true extent of the gruesome injury in a social media post, revealing his right eye had ballooned to the point of it being completely swollen shut and had turned black.

“Does it still look worse than it is,” Mann posted on social media.

Canterbury's Kurt Mann during the match. Picture: NRL

Canterbury's Kurt Mann looking like Rocky Balboa post match. Picture: Fox League

Mann had initially made light of the shiner in the post match press conference.

“End of the second half, Tuipulotu in the corner ... there was a little line break back there, I just got caught, just got clipped on the (face) on the way past,” Mann said.

“It’s not as bad as it looks though.”

The photo has led to a chorus of light-hearted jokes from both teammates and fans alike.

Bulldogs prop Max King posted Mann’s shiner along with a photo of Homer Simpson sporting a bulging eye, playing into the narrative about scenes from the TV show predicting the future.

“The Simpsons predict the future,” King joked on Instagram.

Canterbury's Kurt Mann the following morning. Picture: Instagram

One fan joked the injury left Mann looking like Cronulla’s Cameron McInnes, who routinely steps into post-match press conferences with a black eye and blood streaming from his face.

“I thought Cam McInnes played for the Sharks,” Jayden Smith posted on Instagram under a photo of Mann.

The Bulldogs take on the Gold Coast Titans at Belmore Oval on Sunday, and at this stage Mann isn’t believed to be in doubt for the Round 2 clash.

Coach Cameron Ciraldo also allayed fears over Stephen Crichton after the skipper limped from the field in the 71st minute, revealed the star centre was struggling with cramps but should be available to take on the Titans.

CRUEL INJURY BLOW FOR RISING STAR

- David Riccio

The Sharks are sweating on the scan results of a suspected serious knee injury suffered by rising star Liam Ison.

Widely considered a future NRL fullback at Cronulla, Ison collapsed while running the football towards the defensive line for Newtown against Penrith in a NSW Cup match on Saturday.

Ison, renowned for his outstanding footwork, buckled awkwardly as he stepped off his left foot.

Nasty looking knee injury for Newtown Jets/Cronulla Sharks fullback Liam Ison - non-contact + direction change never a good sign.

Mechanism brings concern for ACL injury - hands on testing also very accurate here & can see physio immediately call for sub. Thoughts with Ison. pic.twitter.com/3exiizejv0

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 8, 2025

The 20-year-old was helped from the field and underwent hands-on testing of his knee by club medical staff inside the dressing rooms.

Scans in the upcoming days will reveal the full extent of the injury with fears that he may have torn his ACL.

Ison, who recently re-signed with the Sharks until the end of 2027, was aiming to press for further first grade in 2025 after making his debut last year.

If the injury is long-term to Ison, it will also raise the prospect of the Sharks attempting to re-sign Will Kennedy in a bid to cover their fullback stocks.

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward: Kurt Mann’s gruesome shiner; Liam Ison ACL injury a major blow for Cronulla Sharks