Rising Eels star to miss entire season after devastating injury blow: Casualty Ward

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

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

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