The matches themselves were exciting – decided by a grand total of just three points.
But an entertaining Friday night of NRL has come at a sky high price for all four teams on show with some of the game’s biggest stars set for significant time on the sidelines in the run home to the finals.
First was the Knights-Roosters match up in Newcastle won 23-22 by the Chooks thanks to a 77th minute Daly Cherry-Evans field goal.
In addition to falling to the fringe of the NRL top eight, the Knights also lost two of their season’s standout performers compounding the existing absence of captain Kalyn Ponga who was a late withdrawal with a quad issue.
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Breakout back rower Dylan Lucas left McDonald Jones Stadium in distressing scenes after suffering a gruesome ankle dislocation and was rushed to hospital with fears he will miss the rest of the season.
$13 million playmaker Dylan Brown also left the field in the second half after suffering a knee injury and seems certain to miss time with the Knights crossing their fingers it’s not another ACL with scans over the weekend to reveal his fate.
“Dislocation straight away (for Dylan Lucas) but that’s back in which is good,” a grim faced Knight coach Justin Holbrook said post-match.
“We just have to see how much damage has been done around that.
“It’s potentially an ACL (for Dylan Brown) but hopefully not.”
It wasn’t all good news for the Roosters who also lost veteran winger Daniel Tupou to a shoulder dislocation in the second half and will be desperately hoping the 35-year-old doesn’t require season-ending surgery.
Alas, the carnage didn’t stop there and as the second game of the night got underway at Accor Stadium more stars succumbed to injuries.
With the Storm leading 16-8 just before half time Melbourne skipper Harry Grant hobbled from the field with a hamstring injury that Storm coach Craig Bellamy later confirmed was worse than first thought.
“We’re hopeful to see him some time as the year goes on but he might not get too many games in,” Bellamy said after the match.
“As it cooled down it got worse, he’ll go for a scan and we’ll find out how bad it is.”
In a tough match for hookers, Grant’s opposite Brandon Smith also came from the field twice with calf issues and also looks to be in serious doubt for the Bunnies’ crucial Round 22 match-up with the Sharks.
At least the Rabbitohs got something out of the night, winning the match 28-26 off the back of a 75th minute Campbell Graham try.
Can’t make posts fast enough to keep up with tonight’s injuries. In summary:
Dylan Brown suspected ACL – would be 9 months if confirmed
Dylan Lucas suspected ankle fracture/dislocation – usually 3-5 months
Daniel Tupou shoulder dislocation – 4-6 weeks if rehab, 3-5 months if…
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 24, 2026