The Brisbane Broncos and Warriors are counting the toll of their brutal injuries from the weekend’s NRL action with Ben Hunt set to miss up to eight weeks of footy. The Broncos toiled away to win 26-12 against the Gold Coast Titans with Reece Walsh, Hunt and Adam Reynolds all suffering injuries.
Walsh underwent surgery on his fractured cheekbone and is now a doubt for State of Origin Game 1 with the fullback not set to return for six to eight weeks. This is the third time Walsh has broken that cheekbone. While the Broncos also confirmed Reynolds would miss one to two weeks.
The club confirmed Hunt would also miss anywhere between six to eight weeks after a MCL injury. This is a major blow for the Broncos and coach Michael Maguire who will take on the Cowboys without a recognised halfback in the side. Maguire is also without Grant Anderson after the winger suffered a knee injury last week.
Unfortunately for their fullback, Walsh is now in doubt for Queensland heading into Origin Game 1. The fullback has around six weeks to get back to the field and prove his fitness, before Maroons coach Billy Slater selects his side.
While Walsh might be pushing it to put himself into the Origin frame for Game 1, he will be available for the remainder of the series. The Broncos were also not the only team to suffer a string of injuries on the weekend.
Warriors suffer two injuries in defeat
The Warriors suffered two brutal setbacks in their defeat to the Sharks. Coach Andrew Webster confirmed playmaker Luke Metcalf is set to miss some more footy after only making his return from an ACL injury last week.
Nicho Hynes tore the Warriors apart at home with the Sharks winning 36-22. Will Kennedy scored a double as the Sharks proved too strong against a Warriors side dealing with a number of injuries. Metcalf was seen hobbling down the tunnel in just his second game back from an ACL tear last year.
And Warriors coach Webster confirmed the playmaker will now spend more time out. “He’s going to miss time, but he doesn’t feel like it’s a long-term one with how he’s felt about others in the past,” Warriors coach Webster said.
In worrying scenes, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad suffered a neck injury during the defeat. The Warriors centre got his neck in the wrong place in a tackle and fell to the floor in pain. After some caution, Nicoll-Klokstad was able to walk from the field.
The Sharks also suffered their own injuries with Jesse Ramien going off with what appeared to be a MCL injury. ‘NRL Physio’ Brien Seeney suggested the centre could be facing at least a month out.
Newcastle Knights lose Bradman Best in win
The Knights moved to second on the ladder with a comfortable 32-12 win over the Raiders at home. However, the win came with Best failing to come back out in the second-half. The Knights centre was struggling with a groin injury.
