Ryan Papenhuyzen is expected to return early in 2024 after undergoing surgery on his ankle, while Xavier Coates awaits the results of scans on Saturday afternoon.
The Storm suffered two major blows in their qualifying final loss to the Broncos with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Xavier Coates picking up ankle injuries.
The Storm released a statement on Papenhuyzen saying he had undergone surgery and would target a return to training in the new year, while Coates will await the results of scans on Saturday afternoon.
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“Ryan Papenhuyzen, has this morning undergone surgery on a fractured right ankle suffered in Friday night’s loss to the Brisbane Broncos,” the Storm said in a statement.
Storm General Manager Football, Frank Ponissi, said it was huge loss for the side, but Papenhuyzen was maintaining a positive outlook.
“We’re obviously devastated for Ryan suffering another setback after spending a significant time away from the game after injuring his knee last year,” Ponissi said.
“He’s worked extremely hard to get back to the NRL over that time and left no stone unturned in his recovery.
“We know that he is the ultimate professional on and off the field and this is just another challenge that he will take on with both hands.
“His surgery went well this morning and, at this stage, we expect him to be back training in the new year but for now we’re focused on ensuring he is getting the right care.”
Ponissi said Xavier Coates will have scans later this afternoon on his injured ankle after returning to Melbourne with the team.
It was an unhappy night for the Storm, but made even worse by the brutal injuries suffered within three minutes of each other.
Coates fell awkwardly in a tackle and was visibly distressed as he clutched at his ankle. He was assisted off by a trainer with 11 minutes left on the clock.
Papenhuyzen then got his ankle caught in a tackle and stayed down also in visible pain.
The superstar fullback, who only just returned a fortnight ago from a shattered kneecap, was stretchered off in emotional scenes.
Fox League’s sideline reporter Jake Duke revealed the early diagnosis was a compound fracture.
Between those two injuries, the Storm also lost Trent Loiero and Marion Seve to head injury assessments, which ruled them out for the rest of the game.
Earlier in the game centre Young Tonumaipea was forced from the field after suffering a nasty gash on his forehead
The 31-year-old caught the boot of Reece Walsh whilst attempting to tackle the elusive fullback in ugly fashion.
He passed his HIA though and returned to the game.
Read on for the latest NRL Casualty Ward.
INJURED IN FINALS WEEK ONE
Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle) — 2024
Xavier Coates (ankle) — TBC
Marion Seve (head knock) — TBC
Young Tonumaipea (head knock) — TBC
FULL CASUALTY WARD
BRONCOS
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) — season
SHARKS
Connor Tracey (knee) — finals week one
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
Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle) — 2024
Xavier Coates (ankle) — TBC
Marion Seve (head knock) — TBC
Young Tonumaipea (head knock) — TBC
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
Who will replace SJ in the halves? | 01:07
PANTHERS
Taylan May (knee) — season
Jarome Luai (shoulder) — finals week 3
RABBITOHS
N/A
DRAGONS
Tyrell Fuimaono (hip) — season
Cody Ramsey (illness) — season
Jaydn Su’A (shoulder) — season
Jack Bird (shoulder) — season
ROOSTERS
Joey Manu (calf) — finals week one
Daniel Tupou (knee) — TBC
Naufahu Whyte (knee) — indefinite
Paul Momirovski (shoulder) — indefinite
Connor Watson (knee) — indefinite
Sitili Tupouniua (neck) — indefinite
WARRIORS
Shaun Johnson (calf) — finals week two
Jazz Tevaga (hamstring) — finals week one
Tohu Harris (back) — finals week one
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
