Newcastle are counting the cost of their Sunday win over the Warriors with co-captain Jayden Brailey confirmed to have ruptured his ACL in the 34-24 victory.
It is his second such injury, having torn the ligament on the same knee in 2020, and comes on the back of an Achilles tear in preseason of 2022 that ruled him out of most of the Knights’ campaign.
Brailey limped off in the second half against the Warriors, but initial fears were that it was a meniscus problem rather than a season-ending ACL. Unfortunately for the hooker, it was later confirmed as an ACL tear as well as a meniscus tear.
The news leaves Newcastle without both of their co-captains: Brailey is now done for the year, and Kalyn Ponga has been sidelined with concussion problems since Round 2. He is expected to return in Round 8, but the club will have to find a new captain for this weekend’s clash with Penrith.
Brailey opened up on his injury nightmare last year in an interview with Athlete’s Voice, reflecting on the double blow he suffered in 2020 and then 2022.
“Sometimes you do all the right things but the unexpected pops up when you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.
“You learn pretty quickly how important it is to put your health first – because you never know what could happen.
“My biggest battle is the mental stuff with injury. I find getting back from the physical stuff pretty straightforward, like being diligent with nailing everything in the gym and doing all my recovery work.
Putting my mental health first when I’m recovering is key. You can drive yourself mad if you’re not keeping yourself occupied. Even when I retire, these healthy habits that I’ve developed as a footy player are the kind of things I want to be doing for the rest of my life. “
Dragons lining up coaching candidates to replace Griffin
The pressure mounting on Anthony Griffin with St George Illawarra checking in with three prospective candidates for the coaching job next year.
Dragons officials have met with high-profile agent George Mimis about his clients, Jason Ryles, Ben Hornby and Des Hasler, to gauge their interest about taking on the role next year, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
No formal discussions or offers have been made but the Dragons are exploring their options before making a call on whether Griffin remains at the helm beyond the end of his contract this season.
Ryles is considered the frontrunner for the gig after serving a lengthy apprenticeship under Craig Bellamy at the Storm, Eddie Jones in the English rugby set-up and is now plying his trade at the Roosters as an assistant to Trent Robinson.
Hornby was part of the coaching staff at the Dragons under Paul McGregor before switching to Souths the past two years under Jason Demetriou.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Hasler was sacked by Manly last year and could be an option if the Dragons want to go with another experienced mentor.
Dean Young, who played alongside Hornby in the club’s 2010 premiership win, is also in the running after serving as an interim at the Dragons and building his coaching resume at the Cowboys over the past three seasons.
The Dragons look like they’re on track for another underwhelming season after winning just two of their first five matches, including a narrow loss to the Titans on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Griffin has consistently said he is not bothered by the speculation about his future.
“It doesn’t weigh on me at all. It’s got nothing to do with me,” he said.
Sheens remains optimistic despite winless start to season
Coach Tim Sheens joked he was living in a nightmare after Wests Tigers’ latest defeat before insisting there are positives amid their worst-ever start to an NRL season.
In 24 years as a joint venture, the Tigers had never started a season with six consecutive defeats until they fell to Parramatta at Accor Stadium on Easter Monday.
They snapped a five-game slump in the corresponding Easter fixture last season and looked a chance to do the same on Monday night when they cut a 16-point deficit to two in the second-half.
Wests could not land the final blow, though, despite enjoying the bulk of possession and territory.
To make matters worse, centre Brent Naden and five-eighth Adam Doueihi suffered injuries in the loss, the latter facing the possibility of a season-ending third knee reconstruction.
“Ask me tomorrow, when I wake up and realise it wasn’t a dream, or a nightmare,” Sheens said when asked for his reaction post-match.
But despite the historic low and injury concerns, Sheens said the Tigers’ second-half performances proved they were on the right track.
The winless Tigers have outscored their opponents in four of six second halves and beat last year’s grand finalists 16-10 after the break on Monday.
“Overall we’ve been resilient, coming back at them,” Sheens said. “But giving them the start is always the problem.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Sheens lamented the Tigers’ inability to defuse rival playmakers’ kick games.
All three of the Eels’ first-half tries came from Mitchell Moses grubberkicks, after Brisbane scored three tries against the Tigers in similar fashion last week.
“Three tries from kicks after last week, the kicking efforts by Brisbane, disappoints us. We put a lot of time into it,” Sheens said.
The Tigers are poised for more contemplation of their slow start during their upcoming bye.
“This week coming will be analysing where we’re going, what’s happened in the first six round and where we need to improve,” Sheens said.
“And then come back out fighting again. That’s what the nature of the game is, we’re not going to lay down. There’s still plenty of football to play.”
Heyou
Roar Rookie
I read that in an article today. I don’t know where that number comes from but he has performed a few great one on one tackles. His tackle efficiency isn’t the best but if he can stop attackers until support gets there I can live with that as he is quite a slightly built young man and I would prefer he not get injured as Mybe is not a long term full back or a nine for that matter.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No Madge pls
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Dragoons don't see the need for speed. They let Clune and Dufty go, both lightning and by far amongst the quickest in the club. A half decent coach could have done something with those two. I could have, and I'm only quarter decent. BTW, an interesting stat apparently - Sloan leads the try saves. Don't know where they found that data (NRL).
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
because Hook…. but you already know that
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I remember a group of Penrith thinking that they had a say in who would or wouldn’t be dropped to reserve grade , some years ago. Penrith wasn’t doing well at the time. Penrith ended up getting rid of them. Of course, Luke Lewis went on to have a good few years after that at Cronulla. Yet it was still the right decision to get rid of them . Players don’t have a say on who’s in first grade ( other than through their own playing efforts ) , or who the coach should be.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Hunt played well in the first half in round six. However, he resorted to the strategy of five tackles down the middle, ending the set with ineffective bomb or lob kick in the second half. This becomes a problem as it stifles their attack and can lead to poor field position, opening the door for the opposition to mount serious raids into enemy territory. He is a very good half back. He is great hooker. The Dragons need a great hooker and they need to give the youthful halves team their chances. Hunt sharing hooker with Liddle could be brilliant. Why not give it a go? Seriously… why?
Heyou
Roar Rookie
I don’t know if Sullivan and Amone are the future as yet but it’s time we found out if they can make a great halves pairing in first grade. Hunt to hooker won’t happen with Griffin at the helm. He rates Mybe to back up Liddle who is either not fit for a at least a sixty minute stint or Griffin thinks Mybe is the better nine? Hard to tell what’s going on in Hook’s mind. Amone’s future at the club is still shaky with a criminal case to answer that may cost him time in the big house with the high fences. Young Sloan is trying his heart out but is still a question mark for me. I’m hoping with more experience he will develop his game and learn how to get those legs going quick off the mark because the Dragons need some speed.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
I think the bigger question is what rookie coach would want to take on a challenge as big as The Dragons with instant fan expectations and a playing roster in need of an overhaul.
Phil
Roar Rookie
David, I'm on to it now!!
Phil
Roar Rookie
I'm a real Ben Hunt fan however his outburst regarding his coach was out of order. Almost as if he wants to hold the club to ransom. The two halves you mention are the future, no doubt about that.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Tony, I can see your point about experience as well as the Young baggage and fair enough but I'd still be willing to give Junior Fat Albert a go. He'd be his own man regardless of his old boy.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Hunt is fantastic, but he's one guy and the rest of the talent on the park are not pulling their weight. Checkout Newcastle without Ponga. The hard nose attitude here is look to the future - new coach and a couple of gun young halves - Hunt to hooker or he can go with Hook, I'd miss him but it's not like he's the difference between a premiership or even the 8. Look at last week. Hunt was a hero but the team let him down and even with his great work we lost on the bell.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think Ryles is a good fit for the Dragons, perhaps with Hornby as an assistant - every front rower needs a good half back! If they wanted experience I’d go for Madge over Des.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I really like Hunt DPS but i reckon he's out of line with his stance on Griffin. To virtually threaten Saints with the " sack Hook and I'll have to consider my future " is a really stupid thing to say. As Tony said above the sooner the Dragons make the appointment the better. Sorry Hook, you've run your race, time for a new direction and if that means Hunt leaving, so be it.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yes. And when they do it they can start to deal with Hunt's attitude with the coach. Sure, I like the fact that he's supporting him, but enough is enough and Hunt needs to transition to hooker while Hook needs to transition out. Sullivan and Amone are the future in the halves for the club.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
david, maybe you should check with your manager what other coaches he handles; maybe the other guys have already been interviewed.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Terrible luck for young Brayley ! 3 x ACL's like with Douehi ? It is just not fair.
Redcap
Roar Guru
The Dragons haven't been in touch with my agent yet. Baffling, really. :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
It would beRyles for ne Phil. More mature, more experienced and doesn't have Craig Young's baggage. The sooner they make the appointment the better.
Nat
Roar Guru
How do you end up with one manager repping for 3 potential coaching suitors? The cynic in me would suggest that Des becomes the best option; A, He has the experience. B, He comes at a much higher price and agents are paid on commission. There has to be a fair wage gap between Des and 2 rookies and the higher they argue for the rookies the more attractive Des becomes. I would say Flanagan is sitting pretty between the two of them. Very sad to hear about Brailey.