Round 24 Injury Wrap-up
Our resident rugby league injury expert, the NRL Physio is back with a wrap-up of the injuries and recoveries after Round 24.
Alex Johnston
The NRLCEO Dream Team winger, Alex Johnston suffered a hyper-extension hamstring strain. It appeared to be a low to mid grade injury. It is likely the end of his season but he should be fit for the Rugby League World Cup if he continues his desire to play for Papau New Guinea. The general recovery times are two to four weeks for a Grade 1 or four to six weeks for a Grade 2.
Matt Moylan
The Panthers skipper will be out for at least two weeks after sustaining a new hamstring strain. The club says its not related to a previous hamstring injury. It is likely a Grade 1 strain, but it is a worrying signs with so many hamstring issues in quick succession. He will want to play it safe returning – especially during the finals.
Bevan French
The Eels winger/fullback re-aggravated his previous hamstring injury and will require a minimum two weeks recovery. At this stage it looks like a Round 26 return at the earliest, but more likely for finals. Even though French says hamstring is “basically the same” as twinge that last sidelined him, his recovery will take longer.
Kalyn Ponga injured shoulder on this play, worry for AC jt or nerve traction injury. Very brave to play as long as he did #NRLCowboysSharks pic.twitter.com/Y9JbIeAQ5J
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 19, 2017
Kalyn Ponga
No word on the specifics of the shoulder injury for Kalyn Ponga at this stage but if the Cowboys are to play finals he is a chance to return in the next two to three weeks.
Cowboys (Coote, Cooper, Fensom, Winterstein)
Gavin Cooper and Lachlan Coote have been named on an extended bench for the Cowboys. Cooper looks likely to play but Coote is unlikely to line up at the back. Shaun Fensom and Antonio Winterstein are also back in the 17 for the injury plagued North Queenslanders.
Shaun Johnson
The Warriors play maker is returning this week after a six week lay-off after rupturing his PCL. Fingers crossed he can stay fit for the World Cup. His play making partner Kieran Foran has also been cleared of serious injury and will play this week.
Nathan Ross
Great to see Nathan Ross return this week for the Knights. As I thought, it was only a three week return to play after a fractured transverse process in the spine.
Jack Bird
The tough Sharks centre is out again this week which means at least four weeks recovery after a shoulder injury was initially said to only keep him out for one to two weeks.
Corey Norman
Norman has been carrying a groin injury which flared up last week. He has settled well this week and has been named to play this week, but this is one injury that can be easily aggravated.
Angus Crichton
The breakout Rabbitohs star will have off season surgery on his hip injury and a sixth operation on his left hand finger injury. No surgery is needed on his broken right hand and foot injury. Imagine if he was fully fit…
Euan Aitken
Aitken was receiving rehab/treatment on his shoulder up to five times per day to increase strength/stability. Unfortunately after re-dislocating his shoulder he will now have season ending surgery and a three to six month recovery. It’s devastating it didn’t last for him.
Brock Lamb
The young Knights half has had a very good season in the top grade but has now suffered a Grand 2 MCL sprain. It generally means missing three to four weeks of footy and therefore will be the end of the season for him.
Other injuries:
- Jacob Lillyman is out for the season with a left bicep injury.
- Luke Yates will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a syndesmosis injury on the weekend.
- Christian Welch has begun running three to four months into his ACL reco rehab program. This is great news and means he should be good to go for start of next season.
As always if you have any questions, throw a comment down below or hit me up on Twitter @nrlphysio or Facebook.
The opinions given by the author of this article are given by a qualified physiotherapist, HOWEVER they are based on the information available to the author at the time of publication; are general; and are not based on any formal physical assessment and/or diagnosis by the author. If you believe you may be suffering from an injury similar to one commented on by the author, do not rely on the author’s advice as it may not apply to you – see a qualified physiotherapist for a full assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan.
NRL Physio
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