Casualty ward round 27, injuries, return dates, Xavier Willison, Broncos, Joey Manu, Daniel Tupou, Roosters, Adam Reynolds, Blake Taaffe, Rabbitohs – TOTOCC

Bulldogs winger Jake Averillo has been helped off the field, sending shockwaves through Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins camp.

The gun outside back will join the NRL’s newest franchise in 2024 but could be set for a stint on the sidelines after grabbing at his knee.

Attempting to make a tackle, he instantly reeled away and clutched at his injury on the sidelines before club medicos assisted him to the changerooms.

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Immediate fears were an ACL blow and Steve Roach labelled the scenes a “sad sight”.

However, league legend Corey Parker provided a positive update which could minimise his potential recovery time.

“He was complaining there’s a fair bit of pain behind the knee, so they are maybe thinking PCL not ACL,” Parker said.

“But obviously scans will determine, but normally when you get an ACL injury there’s no pain behind the knee.

“Hopefully good signs for Averillo.”

RABBITOHS’ HEAD KNOCK

The Rabbitohs were already missing fullback Latrell Mitchell but will be without replacement Blake Taaffe after an ugly head knock.

The 24-year-old stand-in fell awkwardly in a tackle, with his face catching the knee of an opposition player.

Taaffe stumbled when attempting to play the ball and was taken from the field by Rabbitohs medicos for a head injury assessment.

Fox League’s Jake Duke then revealed the gun fullback’s head blow was ruled a category two and he would be given the chance to pass his head injury check.

However, it was later revealed he had failed his HIA and would take no further part in the game.

BRONCOS’ BENCH BLOW

The Broncos could be without one of their bench options for the first week of finals after big man Xavier Willison went down on Thursday night.

Willison, who has played six games this season, copped a suspected syndesmosis injury in 47th minute tackle that saw him leave the game against the Storm and he didn’t return.

“Yeah it’s not looking too good, will have some scans tomorrow,” coach Kevin Walters said after the game.

Brisbane second-rower Brendan Piakura was placed on report three times against Melbourne and admitted the forward was likely to get suspended.

Meanwhile, the Roosters have copped a double blow with Joey Manu and Daniel Tupou both ruled out for their must-win clash against the Rabbitohs.

Read on for the full casualty ward heading into finals.

INJURED IN ROUND 27

Xavier Willison (leg) — TBC

Triston Reilly (knee) — season

Blake Taaffe (head knock) — TBC

Jake Averillo (knee) — TBC

FULL CASUALTY WARD

BRONCOS

Adam Reynolds (calf) — finals week 1

Pat Carrigan (foot) — finals week 1

Xavier Willison (leg) — TBC

RAIDERS

Corey Horsburgh (suspension) — grand final

Josh Papalii (biceps) — season

Corey Harawira-Naera (seizure) — indefinite

Elijah Anderson (knee) — season

BULLDOGS

Ryan Sutton (neck) — season

Jake Averillo (knee) — TBC

SHARKS

William Kennedy (hamstring) — finals

Teig Wilton (knee) — season

Kade Dykes (knee) — season

Dale Finucane (biceps) – season

DOLPHINS

Brenko Lee (ankle) — season

Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder) — season

Tom Gilbert (shoulder) — season

Robert Jennings (knee) — season

TITANS

Sam Verrills (shoulder) — season

Tanah Boyd (shoulder) — season

Erin Clark (shoulder) — season

Beau Fermor (knee) — season

Jayden Campbell (knee) — season

Phil Sami (foot) — season

Isaac Liu (finger) — season

SEA EAGLES

Taniela Paseka (knee) — season

Cooper Johns (biceps) — season

Josh Aloiai (shoulder) — season

Reuben Garrick (back) — season

Tom Trbojevic (pectoral) — season

Matt Lodge (knee) — season

Karl Lawton (shoulder) — season

STORM

Jahrome Hughes (knee) — finals week 1

Jonah Pezet (hamstring) — finals

George Jennings (knee) — season

Dean Ieremia (knee) — season

Aaron Pene (ankle) — indefinite

KNIGHTS

Kalyn Ponga (shoulder) — finals week 1

Krystian Mapapalangi (shoulder) — season

Bailey Hodgson (shoulder) — season

Jayden Brailey (knee) — season

COWBOYS

Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) — finals

Valentine Holmes (suspension) — finals

Semi Valemai (knee) — finals

Tom Chester (knee) — season

PANTHERS

Taylan May (knee) — season

Jarome Luai (shoulder) — finals week 3

RABBITOHS

Latrell Mitchell (suspension) — finals week 1

Tom Burgess (suspension) — finals

Blake Taaffe (head knock) — TBC

DRAGONS

Tyrell Fuimaono (hip) — season

Cody Ramsey (illness) — season

Jaydn Su’A (shoulder) — season

Jack Bird (shoulder) — season

ROOSTERS

Joey Manu (calf) — finals
Daniel Tupou (knee) — TBC

Naufahu Whyte (knee) — indefinite

Paul Momirovski (shoulder) — indefinite

Connor Watson (knee) — indefinite

Sitili Tupouniua (neck) — indefinite

WARRIORS

Jazz Tevaga (hamstring) — finals

Tohu Harris (back) — finals

Luke Metcalf (hamstring) — season

Valingi Kepu (foot) — season

Ali Leiataua (hamstring) — season

Demeitric Sifakula (ACL) — season

WESTS TIGERS

Triston Reilly (knee) — season

Charlie Staines (hamstring) — season

Luke Brooks (calf) — season

Adam Doueihi (knee) — season