Slater groin injury confirmed
Source: Melbourne Storm
Scans today have confirmed Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater is suffering from the ongoing groin injury osteitis pubis, with the condition set to remain for the rest of the season.
Slater was forced from the field in the second half of the Storms 20-point loss to the Dragons at WIN Stadium last week, after the injury flared up late in the game.
An MRI scan today confirmed that the 21-year-old is suffering from osteitis pubis - a debilitating injury he has been carrying for 18 months but post-season surgery is not necessarily required.
The scans basically confirmed the diagnosis that Billy is suffering from osteitis pubis, something we have known for sometime, Storm doctor Michael Makdissi said.
Ultimately he needs rest but this is obviously very difficult at this stage of the season.
End of season surgery is something we will certainly explore but its not definite at this stage, we really want to have a look at all the options available to get Billy right.
Makdissi believed Slater would benefit from the Storms longer turnaround this week ahead of Sundays clash with the Raiders in Canberra.
Rest will certainly help and a longer turnaround this week will be beneficial as well, Makdissi added.
The key is for him to continue his rehabilitation program and the management of this injury, as he has been doing for some time.
The concern over Slaters groin injury worsens what is already a decimating injury and suspension toll throughout the Storm roster.
Melbourne is without forwards Alex Chan (suspension), Danny Williams (suspension), Kirk Reynoldson (calf injury), Peter Robinson (knee injury) and Antonio Kaufusi (knee).
The Storm also lost five-eighth Scott Hill to a lower back strain late last week while Steve Turner (knee) and Nathan Friend (ankle) also remain sidelined through injury.
Hill will be tested this week as the Storm aims to snap a two-game losing streak when it meets the tenth-placed Raiders at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.