Arabic version: واربريك يتعرض لإصابة تنهي موسمه في خسارة ستورم 14-6
Melbourne Storm’s injury crisis intensified in a 14-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters as winger Will Warbrick suffered a suspected season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the first half.
According to ABC News, Warbrick left the field on a medi‑cab after falling awkwardly in the lead-up to Billy Smith’s first-half try, with teammates consoling a tearful player. The 10th-placed Storm were missing Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes for the match and already count Eli Katoa, Tui Kamikamica, Xavier Coates and Ativalu Lisati among their injury casualties. The depleted side showed defensive resilience but were out-muscled in the middle and only registered a red-zone tackle after 54 minutes. A high-tackle penalty on Nat Butcher led to a second-half try by Stefano Utoikamanu; Roosters coach Trent Robinson labelled that call “laughable.”
This matters because the injury list directly affects Melbourne’s ability to compete for finals spots. The loss and Warbrick’s likely season-ending diagnosis leave the club’s NRL finals hopes described in the report as “hanging by a thread,” while leaders within the playing group reflected on Warbrick’s contribution and the personal impact of his exit from the field. The report also notes Warbrick is set to leave the club at the end of the season, further underlining the significance of the timing.
Elsewhere on the card, the Cronulla Sharks consolidated a top-four position with a 20-18 victory over the Newcastle Knights. Nicho Hynes’s accurate kicking helped the Sharks take a 14-12 lead into the break, Hynes converting three attempts in the first half. Kalyn Ponga slotted a sideline conversion after Greg Marzhew scored with two minutes remaining to give the Knights late hope, but Cronulla held on. Try-scorers for the Sharks included Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo.
What happens next: Melbourne will continue the season without Warbrick as they confront an expanding injury list and precarious finals prospects.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | New South Wales | Victoria
