Illness blow rules Raiders star out of NRL semi-final
Jasper Bruce and Jacob Shteyman |
Ethan Strange has been ruled out of Canberra’s NRL semi-final against Cronulla in a massive blow to the minor premiers’ hopes of avoiding a devastating straight-sets exit.
In the midst of a breakout season, the gun five-eighth took ill overnight and will be replaced in the halves by utility Simi Sasagi.
Sasagi has enjoyed a great year in his own right but has never started a first-grade game in the halves before, though has played a handful of NSW Cup games there.
The Raiders are looking at the possibility of elevating promising half Ethan Sanders to the 17, but will have to win the approval of the NRL.
Sanders was not included in the 19-man squad registered by Canberra on Friday night, meaning the club will have to receive an exemption from the league’s Head of Football Graham Annesley.
The club only learnt of Strange’s flu-like illness on Saturday morning, after the 24-hour cut-off, but whether it is enough to qualify for an exemption is up to the discretion of the NRL.
Sanders, 21, has only played two first-grade games for the Raiders since his off-season switch from Parramatta, but is more familiar in the role than Sasagi.
He is seen as a long-term halves partner to Strange, with first-choice halfback Jamal Fogarty headed to Manly at season’s end.
As it stands, English recruit Matty Nicholson will join the bench to replace Sasagi, with Danny Levi promoted to 18th man.
Strange has been vital to the Raiders’ rise into heavyweight status this season, becoming prized for his fantastic running game and ability to find the tryline.
He appears the favourite to win five-eighth of the year at the Dally M Awards later this finals series.
Strange’s absence will put extra pressure on Fogarty to spark the Raiders’ attack following concerns over his performance at the back-end of the week-one finals loss to Brisbane.
News of Strange’s injury comes after the Raiders spent the lead-in to last week’s qualifying final managing an injury to another of their star players in Josh Papalii.
Coach Ricky Stuart had confirmed as recently as Friday morning he expected a fully fit team for the clash against the Sharks, who entered the finals as one of the NRL’s form teams.
The winner of the semi-final will face Melbourne at AAMI Park in a grand-final qualifier next Friday night.
AAP
