NRL 2024, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership season

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 10 May 2024, 08:58 PM

Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary is in doubt for Origin I after suffering a recurrence of his nagging hamstring injury during Friday night's match against the Bulldogs.

Cleary came from BlueBet Stadium just before half-time after calling for assistance from a Penrith trainer after chasing his own kick and spent most of the second half watching from the coach's box with ice on his leg.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said: "He's pretty shattered actually. It's very disappointing for him. I'm torn between his coach and his dad right now.

"We've got to get a scan and see the damage. He felt it straight away, so he knew, so that suggests it's decent."

The latest injury concern for Cleary will have Blues coach Michael Maguire on edge after he missed last weekend's match against the Rabbitohs just a week after returning from a five-week lay-off with a hamstring injury.

Cleary's Origin campaign was also disrupted last year due to a hamstring injury.

"Especially that first half, I thought he was really starting to come into his own but the show goes on," Ivan Cleary said.

An update on the Cleary injury

"It hasn't been a problem, he didn't play last week because we had a five-day turnaround and he's basically done every session for two weeks without any drama."

Cleary's deputy Brad Schneider also failed to finish his match in NSW Cup after suffering a knee injury.

The Blues and Sea Eagles were dealt a blow with Tom Trbojevic expected to be unavailable for seven weeks with a hamstring injury.

With Origin I to be played at Accor Stadium on June 5 and Origin II at the MCG on June 26, Trbojevic is set to be unavailable for the first two matches of the series and may be racing the clock for Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.

Trbojevic and winger Jason Saab were sent for scans after failing to finish Thursday night's match against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

Saab lasted just 18 minutes before landing heavily on his shoulder in attempting to score a try, while Trbojevic limped off 12 minutes from full-time.

A Sea Eagles statement said Trbojevic would be sidelined for approximately seven weeks by a hamstring injury, while Saab has an A/C joint injury and will miss several weeks.

The Broncos, meanwhile, lost hooker Billy Walters to a wrist injury early into their win over the Eels on Friday night.

Walters left the match in the 13th minute and did not return, with coach Kevin Walters revealing he could be in doubt for Magic Round.

"Billy's got a ligament problem in his wrist and he got a bang on it early in the game so he could barely pass," Walters said post-match. "I'd say he'd be in doubt for next week."

The Knights will be without Jacob Saifiti on Saturday with the 28-year-old succumbing to a leg injury which also ruled him out in Round 9.

The Rabbitohs have confirmed a triple injury blow with Dean Hawkins, Jye Gray and skipper Cameron Murray all facing long stints out.

Halfback Hawkins will miss the next 12 weeks after injuring his quadricep while taking a kick-off in Round 9. Gray suffered a syndesmosis injury and will miss the next 8-10 weeks following surgery.

Murray has been ruled out of the NSW team for the opening Origin match on June 5 with a hip flexor injury. He is facing 6-8 weeks out.

In better news for the club, star fullback Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension to face the Dragons.

Meanwhile, star halfback Jahrome Hughes (calf) has been ruled out for the Storm's top-of-the-table clash with Cronulla and is expected to miss up to three weeks while winger Xavier Coates remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Melbourne will also be without Ryan Papenhuyzen, who has had surgery after suffering a minor fracture in his fibula, just above a plate inserted last year.

The Sharks, meanwhile, will be without Toby Rudolf for the next month after the 28-year-old forward suffered a knee injury in Round 9.

To view the complete NRL Casualty Ward, please visit the hub page.