The injury carnage for the Broncos has gone from bad to worse, with forward Jack Gosiewski failing a head injury assessment after Saturday night’s loss to the Sea Eagles. Gosiewski was taken from the field in the closing stages of Brisbane’s 32-4 loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval.
Because there wasn’t enough time remaining in the game, TV viewers weren’t told whether Gosiewski passed or failed his HIA. But AAP reported on Sunday morning that Gosiewski failed the head injury assessment, meaning he’s barred from playing next week against the Warriors.
Michael Maguire has now lost Jack Gosiewski as well. Image: NRL/Getty
Gosiewski will be stood down from playing and training for the next 11 days, meaning he’ll miss Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium. It means the Broncos will be without 11 of their top-30 squad, with Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs, Ben Te Kura, Deine Mariner, Corey Jensen, Blake Mozer, Brendan Piakura, Billy Walters, Grant Anderson and Delouise Hoiter all missing.
Mariner and Jensen are no certainty to play again this year after Mariner suffered compartment syndrome in his leg and Jensen a pulmonary embolism. Haas isn’t expected back until Round 14, while Staggs still has one game to serve on his suspension.
Broncos coach says injuries ‘no excuse’
Thankfully they’ll get captain Adam Reynolds back from a one-game absence due to concussion, while Ben Hunt returned early from a knee injury to play on Saturday night. But Hunt’s return did little to help as the Broncos were blown away by the resurgent Sea Eagles.
“That’s not an excuse,” coach Michael Maguire said when asked about the club’s injury toll. “We missed the mark. It’s as simple as that.
“You go back a couple of weeks ago and people talked about the people we didn’t have. Well, we were able to perform in Campbelltown against the Tigers and then against Canterbury. That’s the expectation that the players have.”
Jack Gosiewski (L) has been ruled out of Magic Round.
(Getty Images)
Te Kura has taken time away from the NRL to chase a potential NFL contract, but could be back in Round 12. Piakura could also be available in Round 12 if he recovers from a knee injury, Mozer could be back in Round 13 after suffering a fractured cheekbone.
Anderson is still sidelined until Round 16, while no firm timeline has been put on Walters’ return from an ACL injury he suffered last season. Saturday night’s loss sent the Broncos down to 11th on the NRL ladder at 5-5, while Manly have surged to fifth with five wins from six games under Kieran Foran.