Eels’ huge boost as scans clear Brown; Origin prop’s last-ditch play to avoid retirement: Casualty Ward

Eels star Dylan Brown has been cleared of an ACL injury and won’t need surgery in a massive boost for the star No.6 and incoming coach Jason Ryles.

There were fears Brown could miss the start of next season after interim coach Trent Barrett told reporters that the playmaker suffered a suspected ACL tear on Friday night.

But the Eels confirmed on Saturday that scans found Brown’s knee in relatively good condition.

“Dylan had scans on his knee today, which did not find as much damage to his ACL as first thought,” the club statement read.

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“He doesn’t require surgery. The Eels medical team have begun preparing his rehabilitation plan.”

Parramatta finished their Spoon Bowl victory over the Wests Tigers with just one fit player on the bench after three players suffered injuries in a brutal second half.

It was initially reported that Brown sustained a hyperextended knee, but Barrett said in his post match presser that the club suspected the worst.

“They’re a bit concerned so fingers crossed for Dylan because he’s been terrific,” he said. “So yeah there’s a bit of concern but hopefully he’ll be ok, great young player and great young bloke.

“They think it might be an ACL but we’re hoping not. He’s a tough kid and he doesn’t come off.”

Eels centre Will Penisini also picked up a knee injury later in the second half, tackled awkwardly after making a big break down the right edge, though he’s also been cleared of serious injury.

PROP’S LAST DITCH SURGERY TO AVOID RETIREMENT

In a brutal blow for the Dolphins, Tom Flegler faces at least another six months on the sideline and could even be forced into an early retirement.

Flegler will reportedly undergo nerve-transfer surgery on his injured shoulder next Wednesday in a bid to save his career.

It’s a last-ditch effort to avoid sending the Kangaroos and Maroons front-rower into retirement at just 25, according to The Courier Mail.

Flegler played in the grand final for the Broncos last year and was one of Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett’s biggest off-season recruits.

The star prop has not played since April 6, when he damaged nerves in his shoulder in an innocuous tackle against the Wests Tigers.

The Dolphins were hoping that time would resolve the nerve damage but things have not improved and surgery is his last resort.

If the surgery is successful, Flegler faces a six-to-12-month recovery process and best-case scenario he’ll be back playing next April.

Former Tigers forward Simon Dwyer underwent nerve-transfer surgery on his shoulder in 2011 when he was 22, but never played again.

But it’s understood Flegler’s shoulder damage is not as severe as Dwyer’s case.

Flegler’s four-year deal is worth $3 million and runs until the end of 2027. If he’s forced into retirement, he would receive a full medical payout from the Dolphins that will be exempt from the NRL salary cap.

STORM SWEAT ON SPEEDSTER

The Storm will be sweating on a hamstring injury to star fullback Sua Fa’alogo in Melbourne’s big win over the Broncos.

Fa’alogo was filling in for injured fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, with the Storm now potentially without two first string fullbacks for their opening final next week.

“As he walked past me Sua Fa’alogo was ina fair bit of discomfort,” Corey Parker said on Fox League.

“He won’t return tonight and he will be very unlikely to return in the next week or so given the fact he said he felt a bit of a tear in that left hamstring.

“Scans will determine how long, but a huge blow for the Storm given what we had seen from him this evening.”

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