The Panthers suffered a huge blow with second-rower Scott Sorensen suffering a category one concussion, while the Rabbitohs had an injury blow for Alex Johnston in his return.
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A week after they lost Nathan Cleary to concussion seven minutes into their loss to the Storm, history repeated as Sorensen copped an accidental elbow in an early tackle.
“Scott Sorensen this is not good, this is really tough for the Panthers,” Andrew Voss said.
“It has got a category one written all over it.
“The point of the elbow of Tatola and down he goes and I can’t imagine they wait for the independent doctor here. The same as Cleary last week seven minutes in.”
Michael Ennis believes Sorensen’s teammate Isaiah Papali’i played an unwitting role in the unfortunate incident.
“Papali’i got himself in an awkward position with his head down and Sorensen collecting the elbow of Tatola,” Ennis said.
“There is no question here that he will have to leave the field for an HIA.
“The elbow went right into the temple of Scott Sorensen and you never like seeing that.”
Fox League sideline reporter Lara Pitt confirmed moments later that Sorensen had been rubbed out of the game.
“The Panthers confirmed it was a category one and he is gone for the game,” Pitt said on Fox League.
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Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs had a scare with Alex Johnston hurting his shoulder after scoring in his return from a long-term Achilles injury.
Johnston landed on the point of his shoulder after scoring, with Panthers fullback Daine Laurie holding his opponent after realising something went wrong.
Johnston lay on the ground for several minutes, before returning to his feet and playing on.
“That was classy from Laurie,” Voss said.
Later in the half Ennis commented on Johnston nursing his shoulder.
“He is not himself and I’d be surprised if he comes back out after half-time,” Ennis said.
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Lara Pitt confirmed Johnston would need scans on a shoulder injury.
“A shattered Alex Johnston will have to undergo scans on a scapula, shoulder concern,” Pitt said.
However, Wayne Bennett said Johnston’s injury is not too serious, but he could miss a week or two.
“He’s pretty good… we’re not sure how many games but he’s not on the too serious list,” Bennett said.
The Panthers also lost halfback Trent Toelau to a knee injury 10 minutes into the second half and Brian To’o to a hamstring injury compounding a horror night for Ivan Cleary’s team.
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