It’s been a horrid day for the Roosters so far with star half Sam Walker suffering a suspected ACL injury and hooker Brandon Smith also out for the game with a potentially serious injury.
The Raiders lead 14-2 after 60 minutes.
Walker went down with a non-contact knee injury and stayed on the ground in agony for a couple of minutes before slowly walking back to the sideline flanked by two Roosters’ staff members.
Fox League’s Eloise Sohier reported that Walker was heard telling a Roosters doctor that he heard a crack or a pop.
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MATCH CENTRE: Roosters v Raiders scores, stats, live blog
During the halftime show, Braith Anasta reported that the Roosters suspect Walker’s season is over with an ACL injury.
Later in the half, there was yet another injury blow when hooker Brandon Smith was caught in an awkward tackle from Elliot Whitehead which caused the Raiders forward to be sent to the sin bin for a hip drop.
Smith writhed around the field in pain before being helped off with a leg injury.
“Sam Walker and Brandon Smith injured. That is a mortal blow for the Roosters,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
The brutal injury toll grew further in the second half when Roosters second rower Victor Radley went up the sheds with a shoulder injury.
The Raiders have been all over the Roosters, with their hot-and-cold defence the star of the show, holding the Chooks to just two first half points.
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MATCH PREVIEW
It’ll be a tense Sunday for the Raiders, who need a win against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium and a result in the earlier game to go their way to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Canberra is currently sitting in 12th on the ladder and still in contention after their upset win over the Panthers last week.
If they manage to shock the NRL world again with a win over the red-hot Roosters, and the Titans beat the Knights earlier in the day, the Raiders could miraculously sneak into the eight if they win next week against the Dragons.
Their job has been made a whole lot harder with star half Jamal Fogarty ruled out.
The Roosters have been outstanding of late, winning their last four games while averaging 40 points a game over that span.
If they win their last two games (Raiders, Rabbitohs), they’ll finish in second, likely setting up a home qualifying final against the Panthers.
Source Agencies
