Casualty Ward: Eels' Blake sidelined with shoulder blow

Parramatta centre Waqa Blake is the latest player to undergo a shoulder reconstruction with the Fijian international facing a four to six month recovery.

Blake injured his shoulder during the World Cup 9s tournament in October while playing for the Bati, who failed to register a win in the regular rounds.

Parramatta's Head of Performance Brendan Inkster indicated Blake is on track for a return in the early rounds of the 2020 season.

Eels teammate Reagan Campbell-Gillard underwent minor elbow surgery last month and is expected to return to full training by December.

Bulldogs playmaker Kieran Foran is set to miss the entire 2020 season after exploratory surgery on his shoulder revealed his rotator cuff requires a cleanout.

Foran had been expected to miss at least six months but the nature of the injury means he will now be sidelined for at least nine months.

Star England second-rower John Bateman is free to play in Saturday's clash with Papua New Guinea after being placed on report for a high tackle in the 23-8 loss to the Kiwis, with the international match review panel imposing a 50-point penalty but no suspension.

Lions centre Oliver Gildart, who injured his shoulder earlier in the tour, has been ruled out for 4-5 months and will miss the start of the 2020 Super League season with Wigan.

"What I got out of this article when i read it , is exactly why tigers always find themselves in these Galvin and da Silva predicaments . Basically promising the world to kids , why would you indicate to a kid that is still in sg ball that he may…"

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Replies

John Eel November 16, 2019 at 1:48pm

Could have been worse I guess but still very disappointing.

My thoughts were that he would be able to spend the preseason with Ferguson and the rest of the backline to work on their combinations. That sort of cohesion appeared to be missing at times last season
ParramattaLurker November 16, 2019 at 2:14pm

The Eels new head physio said he'd be back in the "early rounds" so looks like the early prognosis is more 4 months recovery rather then 6 months.
Mathew Clarke November 16, 2019 at 4:32pm

Ethan Parry should get his shot to prove his worth which is good for him but if doesn't do well this is bad news for a good start to the season.
Offside November 16, 2019 at 5:09pm

I'd expect Takka will come into his spot or potentially Parry or Salmon
the eggman November 16, 2019 at 6:08pm

In a perfect world Parry gets a shot for sure, don't see BA taking the risk though while Taka is here.don't forget how well he played there last year.
This reply was deleted.
- Pork n Beans November 16, 2019 at 10:07pm
  
  Let him have a pre season with the big boys he's only a kid
Shawny Peters November 16, 2019 at 7:25pm

Thanks for the useless negativity Brett Allan as usually not sure sure where you get your info from,will be firing fully fit round 1
- This reply was deleted.
  - Shawny Peters November 17, 2019 at 1:59am
    
    Lol
- Brett Allen > Shawny Peters November 19, 2019 at 6:18pm
  
  That was straight off NRL.com you muppet.
MontoEel November 17, 2019 at 7:44am

Makes you really wonder if the these out of season tournaments are really worth it!