NRL Casualty Ward: Double ACL blows stun Cowboys

A horror week for the North Queensland Cowboys with back-rower Heilum Luki and outside back Tom Chester both set to miss the 2025 season after suffering ACL injuries at training.

The Cowboys confirmed on Saturday that star back-rower Luki would have surgery in coming weeks and miss the entire season.

Earlier in the week it was Chester injuring his ACL while Jason Taumalolo had undergone surgery for a foot injury.

Taumalolo had surgery in early December to repair a Lisfranc injury suffered playing for Tonga in the Pacific Championships, with a return to play timeline to be determined in January upon his return to training.

Townsville local Chester has endured a terrible run of injuries in recent years, with an ACL injury also cutting short his season in 2023. Since making his debut in 2022, the outside back has featured in 12 games for North Queensland. 

Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown is nearing the completion of his recovery from the partial ACL tear that ruled him out of the Pacific Championships with New Zealand.

Brown suffered the injury in Parramatta's final game of 2024 and is being integrated back into full training. An Eels medical update said he would begin unrestricted training post-Christmas.

However, Queensland Origin forward J'maine Hopgood isn't expected to resume training with until February after undergoing a knee operation. Hopgood, who missed the second half of 2024 with a back injury sustained in Origin I, underwent an arthroscopy to resolve the knee issue that has been hampering him.

Kiwi back Bailey Simonsson has begun running as he continues his rehabilitation for an ACL injury that sidelined him for most of 2024 and is aiming for a Round 1-3 return.

Jake Tago and Haze Dunster have also had arthroscopies for knee injuries and are scheduled to return training in January.

New recruit Jack Williams underwent off-season surgery on a ligament injury, limiting him to partial training. The former Sharks utility will integrate into full training post-Christmas.

Storm star Cameron Munster believes he will be fit for the Storm's Round 1 clash with Parramatta on March 9 at AAMI Park as he continues his recovery from hip surgery.

Munster had surgery on both his hips following Melbourne's NRL grand final loss to Penrith and missed Australia's victorious Pacific Championships campaign.

The Origin five-eighth is undergoing rehabilitation to strengthen his glutes, groins and hips and won't start running until February.

However, he is aiming to play in the opening round at AAMI Park.

“I’m pretty frustrated. I’ve been inside for a while and I want to be able to get back out there and run, but I’m optimistic," Munster said.

"I won’t be able to run until February. I’m doing everything I can to fast track it but [the fitness staff] are not going to push as hard as I want to go."

Storm teammate Ryan Papenhuyzen is back running and looking to return to full speed when he kicks off his 2025 campaign.

Speaking to the media after inking a new deal through to the end of 2026, Papenhuyzen said he had done a lot of soul searching and had a clear plan around getting his agility back.

"I had my plates and screws removed out of my ankle and I had my first run in six weeks on Wednesday (December 11)," Papenhuyzen said.

"I was running with Hughesy [Jahrome Hughes] who is still dealing with a bit of a neck issue and we were just having a chat about what's ahead."

Meanwhile, Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham says he "feels like a footy player again" after completing his first full week of pre-season training.

Campbell missed the entire 2024 season due to a sternum injury, but has his sights firmly set on earning his jersey back for Round 1 when the Rabbitohs face the Dolphins.

"It was a long year for me personally, it's been pretty tough, especially the way the season went with the boys, but I'm glad that's behind me now and the end of this rehab journey is very close," Graham said.

"My main focus now is to play good footy for Souths and I'm excited for that."

Panthers skipper Nathan Cleary is on track for Round 1 in Las Vegas after shoulder surgery at the end of the season, but the availability of Dylan Edwards is yet to be seen after surgery on a shoulder issue.

Fellow Panther Paul Alamoti suffered a suspected dislocated elbow during Tonga's clash with the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships final, while Clive Churchill Medal winner Liam Martin was ruled out of Pacific Championships after succumbing to injuries picked up throughout the NRL season. 

At the Dragons, star recruit Val Holmes is progressing well and has transitioned into team training after suffering a broken fibula in the Cowboys' semi-final loss to the Sharks. He will be available for the club's first trial. 

Fullback Tyrell Sloan has suffered a stress injury in his right foot after developing pain whilst training. He is expected to commence rehab running after Christmas and will be available for the club's first trial match. 

And youngster Lyhkan King-Togia is also expected to be available for trials after suffering a fractured jaw whilst training. 

Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray had surgery for a wrist injury sustained while in camp with the Kangaroos.

Murray suffered the injury during training in the lead-up to Australia's 22-10 defeat of New Zealand in Christchurch, ruling him out of the Pacific Cup final against Tonga. South Sydney officials said the operation had been a success.