Raiders lose star winger for up to three months
Canberra have suffered a mega blow with winger Savelio Tamale in a race to play again before finals after dislocating his kneecap.
Tamale failed to finish the Raiders' win over South Sydney on Sunday, before scans confirmed he would miss a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks with the injury.
The Raiders flyer is scheduled to see a specialist who will determine an exact return path, but either way it looms as a devastating blow to both Tamale and club.
Tamale's power and strike on the left wing has played a part in Canberra's rise to second on the ladder, with three byes still to come before the end of the season.
The 20-year-old was a serious contender for rookie of the year, providing great yardage and busting tackles at will in 2025.
After playing one game for St George Illawarra at the end of last season, the former rugby union talent had also been close to the buy of the year across the NRL.
Even a best-case 10-week return for Tamale would have him back on the field just a few rounds out from the finals, while any longer could leave his season in doubt.
Fellow winger Albert Hopoate was also ruled out for the year in March with a ruptured ACL.
Coach Ricky Stuart's son Jed is every chance to debut in place of Tamale, having loomed as the next option in Canberra's extended squads this year.
Michael Asomua is the other uncapped option in reserve grade, unless the Raiders opt for an entire backline reshuffle with Tamale out.
Canberra have their first bye this week before taking on Wests Tigers next Friday night at Campbelltown.
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The win ensures Canberra will finish the round in second spot, with five straight victories and nine from their past 10 games. Stuart was the story of the night with a try on debut, the four-pointer coming as his proud father Ricky stood on the sideline. The Raiders coach had long known of the 23-year-old's ability, but was hesitant to plug him into Canberra's backline before Savelio Tamale's injury. Stuart Jnr. responded by taking a bomb on attack with his first play, saving a 40-20 with a bat back and then scoring when Seb Kris sent him over in the corner. "This week has been the hardest moment I've had as a coach," Ricky Stuart said. "Because from a father's point of view, I don't want him to come out and be man of the match, I just want him to hold his own. And he did that. "The amount of times I've been waking up at 3am with real bad thoughts ... He didn't have any of those tonight, which was good." 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And the team that is second on the table, giving ourselves a shot today," Tigers coach Benji Marshall said. "I know the results have gone the other way, but it's not proud off where we've got to be."
