Heavy injury toll takes gloss over Wests Tigers' NRL win over the Storm
By Christian Nicolussi | August 30, 2010
Rather than celebrating the brilliant three-try performance of Benji Marshall, Wests Tigers are counting the cost of a horror injury toll they hope won't ruin their charge to the finals.
The Tigers moved into outright second with their win over Melbourne Storm but coach Tim Sheens did not have one player on his interchange bench at full-time.
Centre Chris Lawrence was rushed to hospital for surgery on a broken jaw he suffered in the fourth minute and Gareth Ellis picked up a corked calf.
Veteran John Skandalis injured his buttock - and might have played his final game in a Tigers jumper - while Wade McKinnon reinjured his hamstring in the final minute of the game.
Sheens was also forced to scratch Liam Fulton (calf) before the game and he has Bryce Gibbs (kneecap) still sidelined until the first week of the finals.
"It's a pretty fair injury list," Sheens said. "Chris had an issue coming into the game and had taken a knock a few weeks ago.
"They are operating on him tonight and if we're still there in a month he'll be back.
"I'd like to think the boys can play well enough and give him another opportunity.
"In the meantime, Geoff Daniela, Mitch Brown and company ... guys who have helped get us there ... it's amazing if you keep your head down and go well you could find yourself playing semi-finals football."
Because of the quick turnaround for Friday's clash against the Titans - which could determine whether the Tigers finish second - Sheens does not have the luxury of giving his walking wounded proper time to heal.
Daily Telegraph