Dragons may be without Jason Nightingale for Warriors clash
By SIMON BRUNSDON with AAP
Aug. 3, 2015, 9:30 p.m.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Already nursing Josh Dugan, the Dragons are facing the prospect of being without Test winger Jason Nightingale for Saturday's clash with the Warriors.
Nightingale was forced from Kogarah Oval early on Sunday and was seen afterwards with a moon boot on his right foot and using crutches to walk.
Coach Paul McGregor said it was the same foot that affected Nightingale earlier in the season, when he missed two games with plantar fascia.
The specific injury hasn't been confirmed by the club, but there are concerns he may miss most of the Dragons' five-week finals tightrope walk.
Word from inside the camp suggested the veteran winger was being assessed on Monday, and it is unknown whether the foot required further scans.
Nightingale's omission would be a blow to the Red V as they fight to keep their finals dream alive.
Prop forward Leeson Ah Mau is likely to take the early guilty plea relating to a grade-two careless high shot on Newcastle's Kade Snowden last Sunday.
The incident lumped Ah Mau with 93 points, and he can escape without suspension if he pleads early.
McGregor confirmed Dugan is carrying the after-effects of a demanding State of Origin schedule, appearing to have a rib problem on Sunday and suffering an ankle complaint earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the NRL has fired off a warning letter to Kane Evans over his shoulder charge on Canterbury's Sam Kasiano, but the Sydney prop won't be charged over the tackle.
Evans escaped NRL match review committee charges on Monday over the monster hit on Kasiano in the Roosters' dramatic round 21 win over the Bulldogs last Friday.
However, the NRL has put the interchange forward on notice, warning Evans about the dangers of the tackle.
Evans felled Kasiano with a shoulder charge late in the first half at Allianz Stadium.
He was penalised and put on report by referee Matt Cecchin.
An NRL spokesman said because there was no head or neck contact on Kasiano, the on-field penalty and warning notice was enough punishment.
Canberra three-quarter Edrick Lee wasn't as lucky as Evans. Lee has already taken the early guilty plea on a grade-two tripping charge on North Queensland's Justin O'Neill and will miss the Raiders' clash with Gold Coast.
Bulldogs forward Greg Eastwood also faces one match on the sidelines for a tackle on Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce.
The grade-one dangerous contact charge doesn't warrant a one-match suspension with an early plea.
But Eastwood's carryover points will push him over the 100-point, one-game threshold if he takes the early plea or fights the charge and loses.
That will sideline him for Canterbury's clash with Brisbane on Friday.
Tigers prop Keith Galloway was also charged following round 21 incidents.
He escapes a ban if an early guilty plea is taken.
Raiders pivot Blake Austin has taken the early plea on his grade-one dangerous throw charge, but is available to take on the Titans.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...ale-not-chirpy-after-re-injuring-foot/?cs=302
By SIMON BRUNSDON with AAP
Aug. 3, 2015, 9:30 p.m.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Already nursing Josh Dugan, the Dragons are facing the prospect of being without Test winger Jason Nightingale for Saturday's clash with the Warriors.
Nightingale was forced from Kogarah Oval early on Sunday and was seen afterwards with a moon boot on his right foot and using crutches to walk.
Coach Paul McGregor said it was the same foot that affected Nightingale earlier in the season, when he missed two games with plantar fascia.
The specific injury hasn't been confirmed by the club, but there are concerns he may miss most of the Dragons' five-week finals tightrope walk.
Word from inside the camp suggested the veteran winger was being assessed on Monday, and it is unknown whether the foot required further scans.
Nightingale's omission would be a blow to the Red V as they fight to keep their finals dream alive.
Prop forward Leeson Ah Mau is likely to take the early guilty plea relating to a grade-two careless high shot on Newcastle's Kade Snowden last Sunday.
The incident lumped Ah Mau with 93 points, and he can escape without suspension if he pleads early.
McGregor confirmed Dugan is carrying the after-effects of a demanding State of Origin schedule, appearing to have a rib problem on Sunday and suffering an ankle complaint earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the NRL has fired off a warning letter to Kane Evans over his shoulder charge on Canterbury's Sam Kasiano, but the Sydney prop won't be charged over the tackle.
Evans escaped NRL match review committee charges on Monday over the monster hit on Kasiano in the Roosters' dramatic round 21 win over the Bulldogs last Friday.
However, the NRL has put the interchange forward on notice, warning Evans about the dangers of the tackle.
Evans felled Kasiano with a shoulder charge late in the first half at Allianz Stadium.
He was penalised and put on report by referee Matt Cecchin.
An NRL spokesman said because there was no head or neck contact on Kasiano, the on-field penalty and warning notice was enough punishment.
Canberra three-quarter Edrick Lee wasn't as lucky as Evans. Lee has already taken the early guilty plea on a grade-two tripping charge on North Queensland's Justin O'Neill and will miss the Raiders' clash with Gold Coast.
Bulldogs forward Greg Eastwood also faces one match on the sidelines for a tackle on Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce.
The grade-one dangerous contact charge doesn't warrant a one-match suspension with an early plea.
But Eastwood's carryover points will push him over the 100-point, one-game threshold if he takes the early plea or fights the charge and loses.
That will sideline him for Canterbury's clash with Brisbane on Friday.
Tigers prop Keith Galloway was also charged following round 21 incidents.
He escapes a ban if an early guilty plea is taken.
Raiders pivot Blake Austin has taken the early plea on his grade-one dangerous throw charge, but is available to take on the Titans.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...ale-not-chirpy-after-re-injuring-foot/?cs=302
