The Parramatta Eels have turned around their fortunes with a 15-7 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.
It was a necessary win for the pre-tournament favourites and a brutal slog of a match.
But the Eels ran away late when captain Clint Gutherson cut through the line.
The match went against the Dragons from the outset, losing speedster Matt Dufty who put his body on the line to win the ball back for his team from the kickoff.
But in doing that, he suffered a headclash and was taken to hospital.
The early diagnosis of Dufty's injury is a depressed cheek fracture.
Yvonne Sampson called it a "freak accident".
Braith Anasta added: "It was a smart play but just a heavy collision. First set of six in the Nines on day two, not good. Similar injury to Sam Burgess in the grand final against the Bulldogs so he may miss the start of the season."
Generally, the injury is 4-6 weeks on the sidelines.
It was a necessary win for the pre-tournament favourites and a brutal slog of a match.
But the Eels ran away late when captain Clint Gutherson cut through the line.
The match went against the Dragons from the outset, losing speedster Matt Dufty who put his body on the line to win the ball back for his team from the kickoff.
But in doing that, he suffered a headclash and was taken to hospital.
The early diagnosis of Dufty's injury is a depressed cheek fracture.
Yvonne Sampson called it a "freak accident".
Braith Anasta added: "It was a smart play but just a heavy collision. First set of six in the Nines on day two, not good. Similar injury to Sam Burgess in the grand final against the Bulldogs so he may miss the start of the season."
Generally, the injury is 4-6 weeks on the sidelines.
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