'He's in a bit of trouble': Leilua in the race of his life to be fit for NRL Grand Final
Joey Leilua will be in the race of his life to be fit for next weekend's NRL Grand Final after injuring his calf in the Canberra Raiders' 16-10 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Leilua was pulled from the field after falling awkwardly on his lower leg in the second half, sending scares through GIO Stadium as the Green Machine booked their ticket to the Grand Final.
The centre struggled to bear weight on his calf as he hobbled around the field causing a massive headache for coach Ricky Stuart, and NRL legend Darren Lockyer wasn't convinced on his chances to be fit for next week's decider.
"I think he's in a bit of trouble," Lockyer told Nine's Friday Night Knock-Off.
Joey Leilua AAP
"It's good to have a guy of his size and physicality out there but at the same time if he's not 100% fit then Latrell Mitchell will be coming down that side. Or you're going to have someone from the Storm.
"So, they're going to target that and I think he's in a little bit of trouble, Leilua."
Question marks will also hang over try-scorer Jack Wighton who landed in a compromised position on his right shoulder.
The five-eighth's game management was a highlight of the night and will be imperative to the Raiders' premiership bid if they're a chance of knocking off either the Roosters or Storm at ANZ Stadium next weekend said Lockyer.
"It'd be a huge if Wighton couldn't play," he said. "Talk about his running game his physicality in defence, he's an integral part of this team so there is some level of concern there"
Melbourne Storm legend Billy Slater doubled down on those sentiments but held hope for the five-eighth's recovery.
"If he was to miss next week's game that would be a huge blow for the Raiders," he said.
"Both me and JT have had some serious shoulder injuries and when Wighton went down me and JT feared for the worst because lading like that can be quite awkward.
"I was really happy to see him finish the game and he raised his fist to the crowd after the game which was really good signs."
