South Sydney have suffered another huge blow with Lachlan Ilias carried off in NSW Cup after a late shot from Warriors hooker Freddy Lussick.
The half was caught directly on the lower leg while kicking with early reports suggesting a fractured tibia.
Lussick, who has been in and out of the Warriors team, was sent off for his part in the incident and will face a lengthy ban if charged.
It is another injury setback for a side that didn’t need any more: they are already without Campbell Graham and Jai Arrow long term and recently lost Alex Johnston to a hamstring problem.
Ilias had been out of the team, but could have been in line for a recall with his replacement, Dean Hawkins, proving no improvement on the Greek international.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has received a best case scenario result after scans on a hamstring injury sustained in their loss to the Storm on Thursday night.
Reynolds’ emotional reaction to the injury at half time of the match had fans fearing the worst, with the veteran saying he ‘didn’t feel good’ after the game despite confirming he hadn’t re-injured his troublesome knee.
However, scans have revealed only a minor hamstring tear, which will still see him miss several matches but avoid a long-term stint on the sidelines.
“Adam underwent scans back in Brisbane which revealed a minor hamstring strain,” Broncos’ head of performance Dave Ballard said in a statement.
“We will see how he pulls up in the coming days before he works into a rehab program.”
The Broncos have still been dealt a further blow out of their 34-32 loss, with winger Deine Mariner sustaining a fractured bone in his back which will keep him out for roughly a month.
Players with similar injuries have returned to play within 3-4 weeks, so it will be a matter of assessing how quickly Deine recovers,” Ballard said.
Reynolds will miss at least next week’s derby meeting with the Dolphins at Suncorp and a visit from the Canberra Raiders a week later.
He was forced to watch the second half from the AAMI Park sidelines as the Broncos’ eight-point lead over the Storm evaporated, with the home side crossing twice late to claim victory.
The veteran playmaker’s kicking game had been key to his side taking a two-point lead into halftime, putting them on track for their first win in Melbourne since 2016.
Reynolds slammed the turf in frustration and limped off at halftime, leaving Brisbane fans concerned he’d suffered a serious knee injury when he appeared in tears in the change-room.
The halfback said it was his hamstring, rather than his knee but was unsure how long it would keep him out.
“It just tightened up in that first half,” he said after the match. “It didn’t feel too good at half time but I will get back to Brisbane, get a scan and go from there.
Adam Reynolds. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“I felt it early on in the game and it gradually got worse … I was trying to get through to halftime to see where I was but then I saw a bit of space on the short side and tried to take off and it didn’t feel too good there.”
While the Broncos will be sweating on the fitness of Reynolds, Melbourne No.7 Jahrome Hughes was integral to his team’s win – scoring a late try and setting up two others.
Hughes missed the Storm’s loss to Newcastle when he was banned for one game for making contact with the referee. Storm coach Craig Bellamy said his halfback had a point to prove.
“It was disappointing for us, but for him also, missing the last week,” Bellamy said. “I think he had a bit of a point to prove, and we thought it was a tough call, having to miss that week. He wanted to make up for that and he did, he did a great job for us.”
Bellamy was also delighted with the performance of Cameron Munster, with the superstar five-eighth playing his first match of the year after battling a mystery groin issue.
Munster had an understated showing by his own lofty standards but didn’t do much wrong.
“I thought he was real good, I’d give him a A,” said Bellamy when asked what report card he would give Munster on his return. “He didn’t do anything off the top of his head too much and I thought he defended well.
“Some of his kicks probably weren’t that great but he came up with the right options at the right time and it’s good to have him back.
“You’d like to think now that he’s going to just get better with a bit more match fitness, and a bit more training.”
Ben Hunt could end up not only fulfilling the rest of his contract at St George Illawarra but signing on for another season in 2026 to finish his career at the club in a remarkable U-turn for the Origin star.
The club captain repeatedly asked for a release last season to return home to Queensland where he was in demand from the Broncos, Titans and Dolphins but after new coach Shane Flanagan has turned the team around in the off-season, he is now settled and open to extending his tenure.
Hunt is off contract at the end of 2025 and even though he will turn 36 before the following season kicks off, the Dragons are considering offering him a one-year extension, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.
Disgruntled winger Zac Lomax is free to leave at the end of the year but the Dragons won’t let him go early unless they get compensation from Parramatta or wherever he ends up.
“Ben wants to be here,” Flanagan said at his captain’s run media conference before his team takes on the Knights in Newcastle on Friday night. “Ben will see out his contract and maybe go further so don’t confuse the issue of Ben and Zac. They are two different issues.”
Flanagan shot down suggestions Lomax could be traded from St George Illawarra before the end of the season as part of a player swap.
The news comes as Trent Robinson confirms the Sydney Roosters will not bid for Lomax when he is released from the final two years of his contract at the end of this campaign.
On Tuesday, weeks of agitation from Lomax’s camp culminated in the Dragons granting the State of Origin prospect his wish for an early exit.
“We can’t have people that don’t want to be here,” Flanagan said. “We’ve worked hard to turn him around. It just hasn’t happened so we’ve got to move forward.”
The decision has freed up roughly $1.6 million of salary cap space, with the club firm on not pitching in any of Lomax’s pay packet for 2025 or 2026.
The Dragons have since been linked with Penrith’s off-contract winger Sunia Turuva, who could be a like-for-like replacement for Lomax after Flanagan shifted him to the wing this season.
Zac Lomax of the Dragons is tackled. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, languishing in reserve grade, appears another option for a St George Illawarra pack that could use with some punch in the middle.
“We haven’t identified one particular player as yet,” Flanagan said. “(The release) has all just happened in the last week or two. We’ll assess the market and once again make a good decision for the club.”
One thing is for certain; Flanagan will not entertain a mid-season player swap despite a Dragons club statement suggesting otherwise this week.
“There’s no player swap going on,” Flanagan said. “Zac’s here for the rest of the year, I don’t know where all that’s come from.
“Hopefully this is the last time we speak about it because this is not news. This has been going on for weeks and weeks and weeks. All the people I talk to are dead-set sick of it.”
Lomax has already been linked with a move to Parramatta, who could use another elite centre to play opposite Will Penisini in the back-line.
The Roosters will not consider making an offer for Lomax despite losing current first-choice centres Joey Manu and Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii to rugby union at the season’s end.
“We’ve got the centres that we want,” said coach Robinson. “We still need to add a couple of outside backs but not in that price range.”
Lomax had an unhappy 2023 under former coach Anthony Griffin, punctuated by a move from right centre to the left, a stint in reserve grade and a lacklustre spell with the kicking tee.
The frustrations continued this year after Flanagan moved Lomax to the wing to begin the season, though the 24-year-old has emerged as one of the Dragons’ best through four rounds.
Flanagan said he and Lomax were on good terms and that the issues dated back long before the season began.
“There’ll be stories going around that we’ve had arguments. There’s been none of that,” Flanagan said. “It’s gone on for a number of months, it went on from last year. It’s a decision the club has made and Zac and ourselves will move on.”
The Dragons announced on Thursday they had extended Francis Molo’s contract for another two seasons, with the former State of Origin prop now tied to the club through 2026.
Klemmer apologises for outburst at Gutherson
David Klemmer says he felt embarrassed when his son showed him a viral video of the prop celebrating the Wests Tigers’ win over Parramatta at the expense of Clint Gutherson.
Eels skipper Gutherson shanked a last-second penalty goal wide in the two sides’ Easter Monday clash that meant the Tigers hung on for a 17-16 win.
Klemmer was seen on vision captured on Fox Sports giving Gutherson an “up yours” with his forearms as the Tigers sealed their second straight win under first-year coach Benji Marshall.
While Marshall remained stony-faced in the coaches’ box, durable prop Klemmer conceded his emotions got the better of him.
“We were lucky enough he shanked the kick and we got the two points,” Klemmer said.
“My son showed me, I was a bit embarrassed after I’d calmed down. It was pure enjoyment – there’s no malice to ‘Gutho’, I shook his hand afterwards.
“It was pure happiness in winning a footy game. It has been a tough 18 months and to string two wins together so far is good and it’s got a bit of confidence in the footy club.”
Klemmer was not alone in his exuberance during the dramatic win over Parramatta. Back-rower John Bateman celebrated every call that went the Tigers’ way with equal enthusiasm.
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“If you can’t celebrate those moments you might as well not be on the pitch,” Bateman said. “I enjoyed it and I have Justin (Olam) next to me and Api (Koroisau) in the middle and we want to bring that buzz.
“That energy, it helps the big boys when they’re blowing out their arse, and it can give them a little bit of a pump-up.”
But Bateman warned the Tigers could not rest on their laurels as Marshall prepares to coach against long-time mentor Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins and brother Jeremy Marshall-King at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. A win against the Dolphins would give the Tigers three straight wins for the first time since 2018 when Marshall was the club’s first-choice five-eighth.
“It’s still only two wins. I don’t want to be the ‘Debbie downer’, but no one will remember us if we go on to lose every other game this season,” Bateman said. “There’s a great confidence around the place and everyone’s enjoying the environment.”
with AAP
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Given it’s all about field position. Then creating tries. Half a of those through kicks , which Reynolds does. They care…
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Who cares
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I’m not seeing much of a kicking game from Mam at all. They have plenty of runners in the side, but no great kicking game without Reynolds.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
No. You're right. I looked at the video again just now. My failing memory must have conflated it with the James Graham dive. Lussick didn't dive low. He followed through across the line of the legs. It was reckless and ill-advised, but not a 'cheap shot'. Players can't run at the legs of a kicker. They need to try to wrap the kicker up and not while they are in the air.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Mate, I’m not sure what to say. There is video of it near the top of the article, I’m really not sure how you think it describes what you are listing. He is upright the whole time and makes contact with the leg a split second after the kick. In any case, no charge so it’s clearly not considered something illegal and is perhaps an unfortunate and awkward collision.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
When you dive low, below the knees, there is less chance of blocking the ball and more chance of coming into contact with the lower legs of the kicker. Most attempts to charge down a kick players rise, not dive, with their arms up, not down. It is too dangerous and needs to be eliminated from the game. I'm thinking of the ugly challenge by James Graham (Bulldogs) on Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs) several years ago on a Good Friday game. Same result!
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I don’t think he has dived at the legs though, he only ends up on the ground as a result of hitting the leg. He is running up trying to charge down, no diving at all. It’s a really unfortunate injury, but I don’t think he has even done anything illegal here, let alone worthy of the reaction from the other team and the ref. I’d agree completely if he had dived at the legs, so perhaps that’s where we see things differently.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You don't dive at the legs, WTD. Even if you get to the ball you are still likely to take out the legs as well. It's just too dangerous. Look at the result. Ilias will be out for 8 weeks and Lussick probably won't miss a game.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Cheap shot? He is trying to charge down the ball and made contact right as it was being kicked. It wasn’t late, he wasn’t diving at the legs or anything (I’m not sure why you said he was?) Very much an unfortunate incident, but I have no idea why he was sent off. He doesn’t appear to have been charged either, unless they don’t mention the ones from NSW Cup in the main summaries or something.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
On a churlish note, if Reynolds hadn't bombed the Cowbies to death the week prior, he wouldn't have worn his leg out. He's still a gun to have in the Bronco's set up, even on the injured list in a mentoring role he has heaps to add to the team. I get the feeling that Brisbane have already got full value out of him during their rebuild phase, so anything more is just a bonus. Mam seems to be getting more savvy every game and young Sailor might not look too out of place in the halves once Walsh returns.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
A big blow to Ilias. The kid was looking to fight his way back into first grade and had put in two solid back-to-back performances. It was an ugly and unnecessary challenge by Lussick who deserves a lengthy suspension for that cheap shot. I understand the desperation of the situation and the minimal time left in the game but you can't dive for the legs of a kicker. Period! If it came off and he blocked the ball he had very little chance of getting the ball back and not coming into with Ilias's legs. If he made contact it was never going to end well fir either party. Learn the lesson, jump up to charge down the ball DON'T dive for the legs! If you do and it goes wrong be prepared to suffer the consequences.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Souths are in crisis. Milne, Thompson, Mamouzelos, Kennar, Chee Kam, Host, Hawkins and Ilias are ALL NSW Cup only players. Other than Jye Gray and possibly Leon Te Hau Souths have not much of promise coming through in NSW Cup. Too much money for too little return has been invested into Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and even Damien Cook. Souths forwards with the exception of Cam Murray and the injured Jai Arrow are not pulling their weight either. On top of all that Souths are a SLOW, aging side.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Tough break for Ilias, he was ripping it up in the Cup since being dropped. Souths fans who were demanding Ilias be axed probably should be careful what you wish for. Dean Hawkins looks an absolute potato and you have him for the season now.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
Reynolds minor hammie strain could be great for Broncos giving Reyno a chance to properly rest his knee early in the season and be fitter in the back end than what he otherwise could have been. That is so long as the injury doesn’t result in enough losses to fall out of the top 4 at seasons end…
Robbo
Roar Rookie
That's not what Broncs would have us believe
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Lot of cash for a week to week proposition
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Maybe I don’t pay enough attention but aren’t clubs usually honest about injuries? There’s occasionally some foxing around finals time but I don’t see any upside for the Broncs not being honest about it at this stage of the season.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I am not sure if it is a conspiracy, but my first reaction to reading the story above was the Reynolds’ reactions did not scream to me this is an injury that will only have him missing Rd 6-7 fixtures against the Fins and Raiders.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
It’s no secret his knee is poor, he’s always a week to week proposition in that regard.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I reckon you're right but if by any chance he can get back on the field in a few weeks, they probably dont want everyone to know his knee is pretty well cactus