Roosters legend’s career in doubt
Brett Morris’s stellar NRL career appears over after he suffered a suspected ACL tear in the Roosters’ 38-4 win over Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
With his right knee heavily strapped with ice, Morris was in tears in the dressing-room as teammates did their best to console him.
The 34-year-old’s twin brother Josh was equally emotional, the pair embracing for several moments in what is sure to be one of the enduring images of the 2021 season.
To cap a miserable end to what was looking a brilliant night, workaholic forward Lindsay Collins also suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed both players won’t play again this year and strongly hinted Morris’s career was finished after 16 years at the top.
“Shattering is the word. It was a really, really tough night for us,” he said.
“It’s one of the proudest and worst sheds I’ve been in.
“We’ve got a group of guys that really care for each other and love playing together and you’ve got a guy that’s a legend of our game, one of the best wingers we’ve seen, and he’s possibly just finished his career.
“It’s extremely flattening. The game pales in significance to how you feel about Brett and Lindsay.
“It’s a sad night for us but no-one ever gets a fairy-tale. Jake (Friend) didn’t get one, Brett didn’t get one.
“But they did get fairy-tales in the way the way their career was played.”
Josh Morris said: “(Brett) was in a fair bit of pain. It’s good when you come up here and get a win but when you get two injuries in the last five minutes, it dampens the spirits.
“It’s going to be a hard drive home.”
The injury-hit Roosters finished the game with just 11 fit players after clearing their bench.
It continues a horror injury run that has claimed some of the club’s biggest names.
The heavy casualty toll may open the way for teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii to make his debut in coming weeks.
Kalyn Ponga’s best efforts couldn’t save the Knights. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images
WALKER STANDS TALL AGAIN
Boy genius Sam Walker is set for an early taste of the State of Origin furnace after tormenting Newcastle.
The teenager produced another performance beyond his tender years, playing a key role in the Roosters’ first four tries with a mix of clever kicks and a sublime passing game.
He added a try, five goals and two second half try assists as Newcastle slumped to their fifth loss in six games.
He was credited with five try assists for the game.
Walker may only be five games into his NRL career, but he is likely to be invited into Queensland’s Origin camp to learn from senior players ahead of game one on June 9.
He likely won’t play but the Maroons want the 18-year-old to experience the build-up to an Origin game with a view to handing him the No. 7 jersey in the years to come.
Walker again underlined his class and ability as the Knights were sliced and diced before a big home crowd.
He now has 12 try assists for the season to sit one ahead of Chad Townsend and just one behind Penrith’s Jarome Luai.
Two moments of brilliance in either half showed just how special this kid is.
Walker used his non-favoured left foot to put in a grubber that led to Angus Crichton scoring in the 15th minute.
And midway through the second half, he backed up a long Victor Radley break before stopping and hitting Josh Morris on the chest with a dead accurate cross-field kick for the Roosters’ sixth try.
“It’s just sensational from an 18-year-old,” NSW Origin advisor Greg Alexander declared.
“It’s just special. He’s quite the star and there’s no doubt it (time in Origin camp) would be a great experience for him.”
Teammate Radley added: “He’s really smart for such a young kid. He backs himself.”
The Roosters led 20-0 after as many minutes thanks largely to Walker’s input and backed their defence to close the deal from there.
It was their 13th win over the Knights in the last 15 encounters between the clubs
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