Luck appears to have finally run out for Gold Coast ironman Luke Douglas.
But Titans coach John Cartwright was still counting his blessings as he looked to inject man mountain Ryan James into his line-up for Sunday’s NRL home showdown with Wests Tigers.
Workaholic Gold Coast prop Douglas has undergone X-rays on his thumb barely 24 hours after breaking Jason Taylor’s long-standing record of 194 consecutive games in their 18-12 upset over Cronulla.
“It’s a little bit ironic isn’t it, but typical of Luke he didn’t let on about it,” Cartwright said.
“Sometimes they just have to operate if it’s a bad break but we’re not looking that far down the track.”
Cartwright still named Douglas in an unchanged squad for the Wests Tigers clash.
However the Titans mentor welcomed the looming return of ready-made replacement James who sat out the Sharks clash with a shoulder complaint.
While licking their wounds over the loss that also cost captain Paul Gallen (ankle), Cronulla named pivot Todd Carney (hamstring) to make his NRL return against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.
Sharks coach Peter Sharp also included Andrew Fifita and Siosaia Vave without prospective replacements despite both front rowers being charged by the match review committee.
Gallen – expected to miss six matches – has been replaced at lock by Tinirau Arona with Chris Heighington (calf) named on an extended bench.
At Newcastle, coach Wayne Bennett has named captain Kurt Gidley at fullback and Amos Roberts in the No.7 jersey despite both suffering concussion in last week’s 30-8 loss to Penrith.
Michael Dobson is pivot for Sunday’s home clash against Canberra in the reshuffled Knights line-up hit hard by the loss of No.1 Darius Boyd (hamstring).
Canberra giants David Shillington (rib) and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (ankle) are expected to be sidelined for another fortnight.
At the Sydney Roosters, Sonny Bill Williams (suspension) has been replaced in the backrow by Mitchell Aubusson alongside Boyd Cordner and lock Frank-Paul Nuuasala for Saturday night’s clash with Parramatta.
Aubusson’s bench spot has been taken by new recruit, Frenchman Remi Casty.
At Manly, prop Jason King (knee) and former NSW winger David Williams (pectoral) are expected to be fit to face South Sydney in Friday night’s clash at Gosford.
However, the Sea Eagles will be without fullback Brett Stewart (hamstring).
“He’s got a slight strain or tear, but he should be back within a week or two,” Manly coach Geoff Toovey said of Stewart.
At the Dragons, ex-Raiders playmaker Sam Williams will make his debut in the red and white after replacing Michael Witt (shoulder) at halfback while Bronson Harrison slots in for Jack de Belin (leg) on the bench for Saturday’s away clash with New Zealand Warriors.
At Penrith, Jamal Idris (hamstring) will be rested again for Saturday’s showdown with Melbourne.
