Raiders cop hammer blow, Ponga may miss months, Sezer faces ban, Souths’ mixed news, Broncos boosted by StuffsEarth

Canberra have suffered a hammer blow with Jamal Fogarty set to miss three months after rupturing his bicep in Saturday’s loss to Brisbane. 

With rookie Ethan Strange lining up at five-eighth this season, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart could call up another inexperienced playmaker in Manly recruit Kaeo Weekes for Sunday’s GIO Stadium stoush with the Sharks.

Bulldogs front-rower Chris Patolo is also looking at a lengthy absence after tearing his MCL during the early stages of Sunday’s Accor Stadium clash with Newcastle.

Knights veteran Dane Gagai was a late withdrawal from the game due to a calf issue but is in doubt for next Sunday’s Suncorp Stadium showdown with the Dolphins. Star fullback Kalyn Ponga looked troubled by his hip injury against the Dogs and was replaced midway through the second half with a foot problem.

Scans on Monday will determine the extent of the injury but O’Brien said ie was similar to a Lisfranc injury which could mean months on the sideline for the Dally M Medal winner.

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien said Ponga had a ligament problem and Gagai or uncapped youngster David Armstrong were in line to take his place in the No.1 jersey.

Wests Tigers winger Junior Tupou suffered a suspected broken foot in Saturday’s loss to the Panthers. 

Veteran halfback Aidan Sezer is facing a ban for a late challenge on Panthers opposite number Brad Schneider.

Sezer has been charged by the match review committee for dangerous contact after clipping Scheider’s leg after he put in a downfield kick. He will be out for two matches if he chooses to contest the charge at the judiciary and is unsuccessful. He can pay a $3000 fine with an early guilty plea, as it his third offence.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is confident Dylan Edwards’ leg injury is minor after the star fullback failed to finish the match. 

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said prop Payne Haas (knee), winger Deine Mariner (back), captain Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and second-rower Brendan Piakura (ankle) were all tracking to be fit for the round-eight clash with Wests Tigers.

Cowboys back-rower Heilum Luki is a chance to return this Saturday in the home fixture against Penrith after ankle surgery but is more likely to make his comeback in Round 9. 

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Rabbitohs prop Tevita Tatola is facing 12 weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot while winger Tyrone Munro is also out long term due to surgery to repair his fractured collarbone.

But they are set to be boosted by Jai Arrow making his first appearance since suffering shoulder damage in Las Vegas at the start of last month.

Gold Coast winger Phil Sami is close to making a return from an ankle injury but fullback Jayden Campbell’s knee injury will sideline him for at least a month.

Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe has been cited for the second time in two weeks and faces a $1800 fine with an early guilty plea or $2500 if he unsuccessfully challenges the dangerous contact charge at the judiciary for a low tackle at the back of the legs of Manly forward Taniela Paseka when he was already being held up by two defenders. 

Parramatta lost five-eighth Daejarn Asi to a head knock during their loss to the Dolphins in Darwin while Clint Gutherson’s knee injury is causing the fullback grief.

James Tedesco will be free for the next game of the Sydney Roosters’ inconsistent NRL campaign after escaping suspension for tripping Ryan Papenhuyzen.

The Roosters captain went on report for the uncharacteristic shot on his rival fullback in the 70th minute of Melbourne’s 18-12 win on Thursday night 

Tedesco’s teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has also escaped suspension for his late hit on rival prop Christian Welch and can accept a $1800 fine.