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Joseph Suaalii is the first confirmed casualty of the Roosters thrilling finals win over Cronulla, with the rugby-bound star ruled out of Friday’s semi-final trip to Melbourne due to a concussion.
With Roosters star Joey Manu also in major doubt for the sudden death showdown against the Storm after aggravating a hamstring injury, Suaalii’s first-half head knock will see him subject to the NRL’s 11-day stand-down policy.
Suaalii passed an initial on-field assessment when he was hit in the head during a first-half tackle against the Sharks, before showing delayed symptoms and underwent a Head Injury Assessment from the Roosters doctor at halftime.
Suaalii played no further part in the match and despite conjecture otherwise, a Roosters representative confirmed on Sunday morning the winger had been diagnosed with a grade three concussion.
Given Suaalii also suffered a confirmed concussion at training leading into a match against Manly in early July, the incident at Shark Park counted as a second concussion in the space of three months.
Under NRL protocols, that means the Roosters can not apply for an exemption from the 11-day stand-down policy.
Joseph Suaalii was playing strongly for the Roosters but later left the game with a concussion.Credit: Getty
Manu is scheduled to undergo further scans and consultation on Sunday morning, with the Roosters outside back stocks already depleted by a knee injury for veteran winger Daniel Tupou and a shoulder issue for Paul Momirovski.
Corey Allan, Jaxson Paulo and Drew Hutchison loom as potential replacements out wide.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension), Sitili Tupouniua (neck) and Connor Watson (knee) are also already missing from the Roosters forward pack.
Melbourne have also worn significant casualties out wide from Friday’s 26-0 loss to the Broncos, with the club confirming a syndesmosis injury for Xavier Coates on top of Ryan Papenhuyzen’s badly broke ankle.
Coates will be monitored throughout the week in the hope he may be fit for Friday’s clash.
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