Fa'alogo out, clubs hold breath after brutal NRL round
Melbourne sensation Sua Fa'alogo may not play again before the finals as NRL clubs count the costs of one of the most damaging rounds of the year.
The Storm confirmed on Monday that Fa'alogo would be sidelined for two to three months after badly tearing his left hamstring in the win over Cronulla.
The winger's injury comes after Melbourne centre Jack Howarth had his appendix removed last week and will miss at least three games, while fellow wingers Will Warbrick and Moses Leo are also out for extended periods.
Fa'alogo's injury was one of many suffered by high-profile players in a brutal round 17, as several clubs continued to hold their breath on Monday and hope for the best.
No team were more impacted than St George Illawarra, who finished Saturday night's win over Parramatta with no fit players on the bench and three injured men on the field.
Winger Nathan Lawson will miss five weeks after playing out the final 15 minutes of the loss with a scapula fracture in his right shoulder.
Fellow winger Christian Tuipulotu won't return until 21 after tearing his hamstring in the warm up, while Luciano Leilua will miss a week with a quad strain.
The Dragons are still weighing up whether forward Toby Couchman needs season-ending shoulder surgery after a dislocation, while Hamish Stewart will miss a week with a concussion.
Damien Cook and Jaydn Su'A did not require scans after having ankle issues in the win, while the Dragons are confident Viliami Fifita's knee pain was not serious.
There is better news for the Dragons' opponents this week, with Canberra prop Joe Tapine (dislocated finger) cleared to play on Friday.
The Warriors are awaiting confirmation that halfback Luke Metcalf has ruptured his ACL, while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also underwent scans on his knee.
Wests Tigers also have major issues in their spine positions.
After fullback Jahream Bula was ruled out for a month last week with a hamstring injury, his replacement Heath Mason was suspended following the loss to Manly.
Hooker Apisai Koroisau suffered a concussion in Friday night's defeat, while back-up No.9 Tallyn Da Silva has been released to join Parramatta immediately.
Halfback Jarome Luai is in NSW Origin camp, leaving Latu Fainu as the only standing member of a Tigers' spine that also no longer has Lachlan Galvin.
Luke Laulilii, Alex Lobb and Sunia Turuva are the most likely options to wear No.1 against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, while Tristan Hope could play hooker and Adam Doueihi five-eighth.
Souths too have halves issues with Cody Walker set for a stint out with a hamstring tear, while his likely replacement Jayden Sullivan suffered a broken leg in NSW Cup.
The Rabbitohs are awaiting scans to determine how long Walker will miss, but Jack Wighton or Lewis Dodd will need to play No.6 against Manly on Sunday.
Their opponents Manly are awaiting a prognosis on Nathan Brown's bicep, hopeful he can avoid season-ending surgery after a suspected rupture.
And the Dolphins are expected to face a stint without Kodi Nikorima, after he tore his hamstring in their win over South Sydney.
The litany of injuries come as Newcastle holds onto hope that Kalyn Ponga could yet return this season from the lisfranc injury that ruled him out of the Origin decider.
Melbourne sensation Sua Fa'alogo may not play again before the finals as NRL clubs count the costs of one of the most damaging rounds of the year.
The Storm confirmed on Monday that Fa'alogo would be sidelined for two to three months after badly tearing his left hamstring in the win over Cronulla.
The winger's injury comes after Melbourne centre Jack Howarth had his appendix removed last week and will miss at least three games, while fellow wingers Will Warbrick and Moses Leo are also out for extended periods.
Fa'alogo's injury was one of many suffered by high-profile players in a brutal round 17, as several clubs continued to hold their breath on Monday and hope for the best.
No team were more impacted than St George Illawarra, who finished Saturday night's win over Parramatta with no fit players on the bench and three injured men on the field.
Winger Nathan Lawson will miss five weeks after playing out the final 15 minutes of the loss with a scapula fracture in his right shoulder.
Fellow winger Christian Tuipulotu won't return until 21 after tearing his hamstring in the warm up, while Luciano Leilua will miss a week with a quad strain.
The Dragons are still weighing up whether forward Toby Couchman needs season-ending shoulder surgery after a dislocation, while Hamish Stewart will miss a week with a concussion.
Damien Cook and Jaydn Su'A did not require scans after having ankle issues in the win, while the Dragons are confident Viliami Fifita's knee pain was not serious.
There is better news for the Dragons' opponents this week, with Canberra prop Joe Tapine (dislocated finger) cleared to play on Friday.
The Warriors are awaiting confirmation that halfback Luke Metcalf has ruptured his ACL, while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also underwent scans on his knee.
Wests Tigers also have major issues in their spine positions.
After fullback Jahream Bula was ruled out for a month last week with a hamstring injury, his replacement Heath Mason was suspended following the loss to Manly.
Hooker Apisai Koroisau suffered a concussion in Friday night's defeat, while back-up No.9 Tallyn Da Silva has been released to join Parramatta immediately.
Halfback Jarome Luai is in NSW Origin camp, leaving Latu Fainu as the only standing member of a Tigers' spine that also no longer has Lachlan Galvin.
Luke Laulilii, Alex Lobb and Sunia Turuva are the most likely options to wear No.1 against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, while Tristan Hope could play hooker and Adam Doueihi five-eighth.
Souths too have halves issues with Cody Walker set for a stint out with a hamstring tear, while his likely replacement Jayden Sullivan suffered a broken leg in NSW Cup.
The Rabbitohs are awaiting scans to determine how long Walker will miss, but Jack Wighton or Lewis Dodd will need to play No.6 against Manly on Sunday.
Their opponents Manly are awaiting a prognosis on Nathan Brown's bicep, hopeful he can avoid season-ending surgery after a suspected rupture.
And the Dolphins are expected to face a stint without Kodi Nikorima, after he tore his hamstring in their win over South Sydney.
The litany of injuries come as Newcastle holds onto hope that Kalyn Ponga could yet return this season from the lisfranc injury that ruled him out of the Origin decider.
Melbourne sensation Sua Fa'alogo may not play again before the finals as NRL clubs count the costs of one of the most damaging rounds of the year.
The Storm confirmed on Monday that Fa'alogo would be sidelined for two to three months after badly tearing his left hamstring in the win over Cronulla.
The winger's injury comes after Melbourne centre Jack Howarth had his appendix removed last week and will miss at least three games, while fellow wingers Will Warbrick and Moses Leo are also out for extended periods.
Fa'alogo's injury was one of many suffered by high-profile players in a brutal round 17, as several clubs continued to hold their breath on Monday and hope for the best.
No team were more impacted than St George Illawarra, who finished Saturday night's win over Parramatta with no fit players on the bench and three injured men on the field.
Winger Nathan Lawson will miss five weeks after playing out the final 15 minutes of the loss with a scapula fracture in his right shoulder.
Fellow winger Christian Tuipulotu won't return until 21 after tearing his hamstring in the warm up, while Luciano Leilua will miss a week with a quad strain.
The Dragons are still weighing up whether forward Toby Couchman needs season-ending shoulder surgery after a dislocation, while Hamish Stewart will miss a week with a concussion.
Damien Cook and Jaydn Su'A did not require scans after having ankle issues in the win, while the Dragons are confident Viliami Fifita's knee pain was not serious.
There is better news for the Dragons' opponents this week, with Canberra prop Joe Tapine (dislocated finger) cleared to play on Friday.
The Warriors are awaiting confirmation that halfback Luke Metcalf has ruptured his ACL, while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also underwent scans on his knee.
Wests Tigers also have major issues in their spine positions.
After fullback Jahream Bula was ruled out for a month last week with a hamstring injury, his replacement Heath Mason was suspended following the loss to Manly.
Hooker Apisai Koroisau suffered a concussion in Friday night's defeat, while back-up No.9 Tallyn Da Silva has been released to join Parramatta immediately.
Halfback Jarome Luai is in NSW Origin camp, leaving Latu Fainu as the only standing member of a Tigers' spine that also no longer has Lachlan Galvin.
Luke Laulilii, Alex Lobb and Sunia Turuva are the most likely options to wear No.1 against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, while Tristan Hope could play hooker and Adam Doueihi five-eighth.
Souths too have halves issues with Cody Walker set for a stint out with a hamstring tear, while his likely replacement Jayden Sullivan suffered a broken leg in NSW Cup.
The Rabbitohs are awaiting scans to determine how long Walker will miss, but Jack Wighton or Lewis Dodd will need to play No.6 against Manly on Sunday.
Their opponents Manly are awaiting a prognosis on Nathan Brown's bicep, hopeful he can avoid season-ending surgery after a suspected rupture.
And the Dolphins are expected to face a stint without Kodi Nikorima, after he tore his hamstring in their win over South Sydney.
The litany of injuries come as Newcastle holds onto hope that Kalyn Ponga could yet return this season from the lisfranc injury that ruled him out of the Origin decider.
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Knights centre Bradman Best isn't sure if he will have a footy player or boxer on his hands in years to come. Best and his partner, Kayla Fenech, are expecting their first child next January. The couple announced the news late last week. "It's unreal for me and my partner," Best said. "To have her by my side, and then it's very exciting to bring bub early next year. I can't wait." Kayla is the daughter of Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, who won several world titles through the late 1980s and early 90s. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and had a professional record of 29 wins, three losses and one draw. "He can't wait, he's stoked," Best said of Jeff's reaction. "He keeps telling me how good the genes are going to be. "My family are very happy as well, and proud." A star in his own right, having played 98 NRL games, two Origins and been on the cusp of representing Australia last year, Best comes from rich sporting bloodlines himself. His father Roger Best played in the lower grades for Manly and with the London Broncos in England, while his grandfather, Peter Byrne, played a handful of games for Manly and Newtown. Bradman almost joined Manly as a teenager because of those ties. So combined with the Fenech genes, will baby Best ultimately make their way into boxing or rugby league? "Hopefully, if it's a boy, he can choose," Best, who has an interest in boxing himself, said. "He'll be pretty talented I think." Best's baby will be due just a few weeks before the Knights head to America next year for the 2026 season-opener in Las Vegas. Still receiving plenty of congratulations late last week, Best headed to Hamilton Island over the weekend for a brief break while Newcastle's players were given some time off during this week's bye round. But his trip was interrupted by a surprise call-up to the NSW squad. Best was only playing his second match back from an injury spell in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday, but had scored a double in his return appearance against the Dolphins a week prior. The 23-year-old was an incumbent heading into this year's Origin series, but a hamstring injury ruled him out of potential selection for games one and two. Best has been named at No.20 for the Blues and isn't expected to play, but if he was a late inclusion, it would be the third consecutive year he has played in Origin III. The Woy Woy junior made his debut in game three of the 2023 series, scoring two tries, before being recalled last year for the decider, crossing for a crucial try in the Blues' 14-4 win at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Hampered by injuries at times throughout his career, all going well, Best should make his 100th NRL appearance for the Knights at home in their match against the Warriors on Sunday, July 20. Now in his seventh NRL season, given his representative honours, Best is fast becoming one of Newcastle's most experienced players. With the ability to break a game open, he is embracing that responsibility as he approaches his 24th birthday in August. "I've got to step up to that challenge and take it with both hands," he said. "I know how much I mean to this team, so I think for me it's just trying to be in big moments and create moments. "Going out there and doing my part." Knights centre Bradman Best isn't sure if he will have a footy player or boxer on his hands in years to come. Best and his partner, Kayla Fenech, are expecting their first child next January. The couple announced the news late last week. "It's unreal for me and my partner," Best said. "To have her by my side, and then it's very exciting to bring bub early next year. I can't wait." Kayla is the daughter of Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, who won several world titles through the late 1980s and early 90s. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and had a professional record of 29 wins, three losses and one draw. "He can't wait, he's stoked," Best said of Jeff's reaction. "He keeps telling me how good the genes are going to be. "My family are very happy as well, and proud." A star in his own right, having played 98 NRL games, two Origins and been on the cusp of representing Australia last year, Best comes from rich sporting bloodlines himself. His father Roger Best played in the lower grades for Manly and with the London Broncos in England, while his grandfather, Peter Byrne, played a handful of games for Manly and Newtown. Bradman almost joined Manly as a teenager because of those ties. So combined with the Fenech genes, will baby Best ultimately make their way into boxing or rugby league? "Hopefully, if it's a boy, he can choose," Best, who has an interest in boxing himself, said. "He'll be pretty talented I think." Best's baby will be due just a few weeks before the Knights head to America next year for the 2026 season-opener in Las Vegas. Still receiving plenty of congratulations late last week, Best headed to Hamilton Island over the weekend for a brief break while Newcastle's players were given some time off during this week's bye round. But his trip was interrupted by a surprise call-up to the NSW squad. Best was only playing his second match back from an injury spell in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday, but had scored a double in his return appearance against the Dolphins a week prior. The 23-year-old was an incumbent heading into this year's Origin series, but a hamstring injury ruled him out of potential selection for games one and two. Best has been named at No.20 for the Blues and isn't expected to play, but if he was a late inclusion, it would be the third consecutive year he has played in Origin III. The Woy Woy junior made his debut in game three of the 2023 series, scoring two tries, before being recalled last year for the decider, crossing for a crucial try in the Blues' 14-4 win at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Hampered by injuries at times throughout his career, all going well, Best should make his 100th NRL appearance for the Knights at home in their match against the Warriors on Sunday, July 20. Now in his seventh NRL season, given his representative honours, Best is fast becoming one of Newcastle's most experienced players. With the ability to break a game open, he is embracing that responsibility as he approaches his 24th birthday in August. "I've got to step up to that challenge and take it with both hands," he said. "I know how much I mean to this team, so I think for me it's just trying to be in big moments and create moments. "Going out there and doing my part."
