Star duo set for lengthy stint on sidelines in cruel injury blow
Tyrell Sloan and Api Koroisau are set for a nervous wait to learn how long they could be on the sidelines for after suffering cruel injuries on Saturday.
The Tigers 24-10 loss to the Dragons was soured further late in the second half as Koroisau ran from the field clutching at his chest, alerting trainers he needed medical help.
Api Koroisau could be facing a few weeks on the sidelines. Brendon Thorne
Minutes later, the club confirmed it was a suspected torn pectoral muscle that had forced Koroisau off the field, with his teammates left to fill his absence.
The diagnosis will spark some alarm in Tigers camp given the lengthy recovery window associated with pectoral injuries. Koroisau has been crucial in the team’s success over the course of this season.
But Koroisau, who was dropped from NSW’s Origin III team, was not the only key star to depart the field with a significant injury concern.
Sloan lasted just over 30 minutes after pulling up lame when attempting to support Valentine Holmes down the edge of the field in a try-scoring situation.
The Dragons winger only managed to sprint at full pace for 20 metres before he clutched at his hamstring, but it did not stop him from hopping to the tryline.
While the try was eventually denied due to an obstruction call in the build-up to Holmes’ try scoring efforts, Sloan immediately called for trainers to assist him.
He was later spotted walking down the tunnel where Fox Sports’ reporters confirmed that he had suffered a hamstring injury and would not return.
Sloan will have scans in the coming days to determine the severity of his injury.
“That is a really disappointing one for Tyrell,” Luke Keary said on Fox League.
Sloan sat on the sidelines with ice on his hamstring when his teammates returned for the second half, where Adam Doueihi darted over to score his second try of the evening and put the Tigers in front early.
A lengthy stalemate followed before Holmes found his moment to claim four points, crossing twice in the final 10 minutes to go to steal the win from the Tigers.
Mathew Feagai added the final points to the board in the 76th minute.
Earlier, a messy series of events three minutes in to the first half saw Clint Gutherson sent to the sin bin due for a professional foul on Jock Madden.
Jeral Skelton kicked off the messy play that led to Gutherson’s actions, batting a cross-field kick towards Sunia Turuva who then flicked it into the feet of Kyle Flanagan before the ball rolled in the direction of Madden.
Tyrell Sloan is seen with ice on his hamstring on the sidelines. Fox League
Madden was unable to pick up the loose ball when he was tackled by Gutherson, who consequently was ordered to the sin bin for his actions.
In his absence, the Tigers made the most of their one-man advantage, setting up a beautiful play to allow Doueihi to crash over the tryline.
Gutherson wasted no time trying to rectify his mistake when he returned to the field, attempting to flick a short ball out to Sloan to hit back at the Tigers. The play was read easily by Sunia Turuvua, however, who pushed Sloan into touch.
The missed opportunity to score did not weigh down Sloan though, as he was flicked the ball and slid over in the corner with no defenders near to stop him.
Holmes looked to become the second try scorer for the Dragons in the 28th-minute but was denied by the Bunker due to an obstruction call in the lead-up.
