The Melbourne Storm are rallying around Ryan Hoffman after he suffered what could be a career-ending injury against the Sharks on Sunday.
The 34-year-old Melbourne forward, who has announced 2018 would be his last in the NRL, was in tears after the match as he got around on crutches.
Senior forward Tim Glasby - who will link with Newcastle in 2019 - said he and his teammates were doing their best to support him.
"I know he's obviously got some real close mates in this team that's been friends for a very long time with," Glasby said.
"Everyone will get around him. Whatever he needs, we're there for him.
"We'll have our fingers crossed for him that is not as serious as what it might have looked. It's disappointing for him if that's how his career ends, but hopefully, he can get back and see how he goes."
The Storm's 17-14 loss -the second of the year against the Sharks - dropped them to third on the Telstra Premiership ladder.
Match Highlights: Storm v Sharks - Round 22, 2018
Glasby says there's plenty of things to fix if they want to be a force in September.
"We had a bit of a patch through the middle there [of the season] where we improved. But it is very frustrating. It's not one thing that's going wrong, there's a couple of little areas that are creeping up. It's hard to pinpoint how to fix it."
Storm coach Craig Bellamy questioned his side's desire after Sunday's loss and Glasby says it's now up to each squad member to address those concerns.
"I can't really say if it's lacking. There's a lot of effort going in. I think that's up to each individual to decide if they're hungry enough and if they do the little things well or not," he said.
Melbourne face a tricky assignment against the Eels on Friday night.
Parramatta stunned the Dragons 40-4 on Saturday and will be out to put a dent in the Storm's confidence despite being out of finals contention.
"They're playing some good footy I think. They obviously gave the Dragons a fair beating the other night, which is a bit effort for them,'' Glasby said.
"It just goes to show how close this competition is. The Dragons were sitting fourth and that was the scoreline from a team sitting last."
