Eels up-and-comer Richard Penisini will miss the entire 2024 season after suffering an ACL injury.
It’s a devastating blow for the 18-year-old, who played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and also made his New South Wales Cup debut last season.
The young centre was set to get more opportunities in Cup this year before suffering the injury at training in December.
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It comes after fellow young gun Arthur Miller-Stephen, who made his NRL debut last season, also suffered an ACL injury which has sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.
The Eels confirmed Penisini has undergone surgery and commenced his rehabilitation program.
The club also gave an update on Ryan Matterson (quad) and Wiremu Greig (quad). Matterson has returned to full training, while Greig will do so too in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Clint Gutherson (knee), Junior Paulo (toe), Makahesi Makatoa (pectoral) and Daejarn Asi (finger) are all expected to be fit for Round 1.
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FULL CASUALTY WARD
BRONCOS
Jordan Riki (shoulder) — Round 1
RAIDERS
Josh Papalii (biceps) — pre-season
Sebastian Kris (suspension) — Round 3
Corey Horsburgh (suspension) — Round 4
Corey Harawira-Naera (rested) — indefinite
BULLDOGS
Raymond Faitala-Mariner (hamstring) — Pre-season
Jacob Preston (shoulder) — Pre-season
Connor Tracey (ankle) — Pre-season
SHARKS
Kade Dykes (knee) — Pre-season
Will Kennedy (hamstring) — Pre-season
Teig Wilton (knee) — Pre-season
Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) — Pre-season
Tom Hazelton (abdomen) — Pre-season
Dale Finucane (biceps) — Pre-season
DOLPHINS
Ray Stone (toe) — pre-season
TITANS
David Fifita (pectoral) — Round 1
Erin Clark (shoulder) — Round 1
SEA EAGLES
Josh Aloiai (shoulder) — Round 1
Matt Lodge (knee) — Round 5
STORM
Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle) — Round 1
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KNIGHTS
Krystian Mapapalangi (shoulder) — Pre-season
Jackson Hastings (ankle) — Pre-season
Jayden Brailey (knee) — Pre-season
Kai Pearce-Paul (toe) — Pre-season
COWBOYS
Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) — Pre-season
Tom Chester (knee) — Pre-season
EELS
Daejarn Asi (finger) — Pre-season
Junior Paulo (toe) — Pre-season
Makahesi Makatoa (pectoral) — Pre-season
Wiremu Greig (foot) — Pre-season
Clint Gutherson (knee) — Pre-season
Arthur Miller-Stephen (knee) — 2025
Richard Penisini (knee) — 2025
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PANTHERS
Jarome Luai (shoulder) — Pre-season
Taylan May (knee) — Pre-season
RABBITOHS
Jack Wighton (suspension) — Round 4
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DRAGONS
Tyrell Sloan (ankle) — Pre-season
Jaydn Su’A (shoulder) — Pre-season
Jack Bird (shoulder) — Pre-season
Cody Ramsey (illness) — indefinite
ROOSTERS
Billy Smith (jaw) — Pre-season
Naufahu Whyte (knee) — Pre-season
Connor Watson (knee) — Pre-season
WARRIORS
Luke Metcalf (hamstring) — pre-season
Demeitric Sifakula (knee) — 2024
TIGERS
Adam Doueihi (knee) — late 2024