The Eels’ wing stocks have been shaken yet more by a brutal accident that has sent hat-trick star Sean Russell to the hospital.
Parramatta’s wing stocks have taken another hit with adolescent speedster Sean Russell being taken to hospital during the Eels’ 32-28 round one victory against the Titans.
Russell scored a hat-trick but was injured when Gold Coast fullback Jayden Campbell collided with his body knees first when crossing for his third try.
Brien Seeney, a well known sports physiotherapist, believes Russell may have broken his ribs, and he estimates he will be out for three to six weeks if the injury is limited to his ribs.
Russell’s injury comes on the heels of Maika Sivo, who blew an ACL during a game last August, and Haze Dunster, who will miss the rest of the season after tearing his anterior, medial, and posterior ligaments.
Dunster became a victim in this year’s trials when he was severely hurt in a hip-drop tackle by Dragons back-rower Tyrell Fuimaono.
Russell was involved in an incident after halfback Mitchell Moses hit him with a beautiful cut-out pass on the left wing.
Campbell rushed into Russell knees first in an attempt to stop the four-pointer, but the bunker refused to award an eight-point try.
“It’s the only area on the field where two players are running 90 degrees to one point of grass at full speed,” remarked Storm legend Billy Slater on Nine’s coverage.
The Eels’ wing stocks were supplemented by the off-season acquisition of Bailey Simonsson, who left the Raiders and played on the right flank in Sunday’s contest.
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After defeating the Titans, the Eels’ wing is concerned.
Sean Russell scored a hat-trick in the first half for arramatta, but the Eels will be reckoning the cost of the flyer’s rib injury when he was rushed to hospital following their 32-28 NRL win against Gold Coast.
Russell suffered the injury when scoring his third try in front of 18,211 fans at Commbank Stadium on Sunday, leaving coach Brad Arthur concerned about his wing depth.
With Blake Ferguson having departed the club in the off-season and other wingers Maika Sivo and Haze Dunster both sidelined with long-term injuries, the Eels may find themselves short on the flanks in the coming weeks.
“He (Russell) has gone to hospital with broken ribs,” Arthur stated.
He did a good job of completing some excellent motions. Yesterday, our NSW Cup team performed admirably.
“We’ll return and figure out what’s wrong with Sean.” Given where we are as a squad, I believe the next guy will simply have to step up and perform his job.”
Russell completed his maiden NRL trifecta in a frantic first half that saw the Eels lead 26-24 at the break.
Shaun Lane and Waqa Blake also scored for Parramatta, while the Titans responded with a Brian Kelly double, a Phillip Sami try, and an Erge Clark barge over try.
After the half, Sami added his second try, but the pace of the game changed, with less fluidity for either side in attack.
Mitchell Moses made no mistakes with the boot, kicking three penalties in the final 15 minutes to seal the Eels’ victory.
Toby Sexton, the Gold Coast’s 21-year-old halfback, was brilliant, setting up two tries after five-eighth AJ Brimson was ruled out with groin pain prior to kick-off.
Sexton was partnered in the halves with Will Smith and performed brilliantly in only his sixth NRL game after the Titans’ pre-season plans were disrupted by flooding in southeast Queensland.
“I thought he was great,” said Titans coach Justin Holbrook.
It was difficult because we spent the entire preseason with AJ in the halves and then AJ just couldn’t get right for this game.
“That made things much more difficult for Toby.” Will was exceptional and one of our finest.
“I’d say he (Brimson) will return next week.” It was too risky to risk him not feeling well today and for it to spiral into next week.”
Holbrook was dissatisfied with the officiating on three successive captain’s challenges, which allowed Parramatta to slip ahead.
