Possible ACL injury for Walker, Smith and Radley hurt as pain ...
Possible ACL injury for Walker, Smith and Radley hurt as pain heaped on beaten Roosters
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The Roosters have potentially suffered massive blows to their finals campaign after Sam Walker, Victor Radley and Brandon Smith were all assisted from the field in their 14-12 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.
Walker was left rolling on the ground in pain after attempting to tackle Raider Simi Sasagi in Canberra’s in-goal. He dropped to the ground in visible pain. He grabbed his left knee before being helped from the field by a Roosters physio and trainer.
FOX League reported on Sunday that Walker had suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The Roosters are yet to make an official comment.
It’s the same knee Walker that kept Walker sidelined for three months last year.
Roosters hooker Smith was assisted from the field after a hip-drop tackle from Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead, who was sent to the sin-bin for the incident, while Canberra fullback Jordan Rapana left the field with a season-ending fractured cheekbone after a collision with James Tedesco.
Smith was originally reported to have suffered a syndesmosis injury, but there are now fears the injury is higher up and could potentially be a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
Sam Walker is assisted from the field. Credit: NRL Images
It was the first of two sin-bins for the Whitehead, who was sent marching again in the second half for trying to kick the ball out of Angus Crichton’s hands during a tackle.
The injuries to Walker and Smith were the start of a bad afternoon for the Bondi club, with Victor Radley leaving the field early in the second half after suffering a suspected AC joint (shoulder) injury, and Nat Butcher came off for a head injury assessment (HIA) with 18 minutes to go.
Butcher failed his HIA which means Roosters coach Trent Robinson could be missing up to four of his regulars for their round 27 clash with the Rabbitohs next Friday.
Joseph Suaalii was already missing from the Roosters’ lineup on Sunday after he suffered a shoulder injury last week against the Titans, but he is expected to return next week.
Victor Radley with a Roosters’ trainer after suffering a shoulder injury.Credit: Getty Images
The Roosters were allowed to activate 18th man Zach Dockar-Clay because Smith left the field due to an act of foul play, but the team struggled to break through the Raiders defence.
Tensions between the teams hit boiling point with two minutes left, and the Roosters kicked for goal to make the difference one converted try after being awarded a penalty for a high tackle from Danny Levi.
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The Roosters had one last chance to even the score with 90 seconds on the clock, and Keary sent a cross-field kick to Daniel Tupou who scored as the full-time siren rang out across Allianz Stadium.
Keary then had the thankless task of trying to convert from the left touchline but was unable to guide it between the posts.
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