Luke Metcalf’s Dally M aspirations dashed by feared ACL injury as Warriors endure devastating double injury setback

The Warriors’ halfback, Luke Metcalf, appears to have suffered a significant setback in his quest for the Dally M medal, reportedly sustaining a suspected ACL injury during his team’s defeat to the Broncos on Saturday.

With just 15 minutes remaining in the match, Metcalf’s knee gave way while being tackled by Brendan Piakura, who has since been put on report for the incident.

Metcalf was assisted from the field, and footage from the locker rooms captured his surroundings as he was comforted by coaching staff.

The 26-year-old previously suffered a similar knee injury to his left knee in 2019, but this latest injury affects his right knee.

He wasn’t the only Warrior to exit the match due to injury; fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also did not return after sustaining an injury in the last play of the first half.

Both players are set to undergo scans when they return to New Zealand on Monday, but have already been confirmed as unavailable for the team’s next match against the Tigers in a fortnight.

Head coach Andrew Webster opted not to speculate on the potential severity of either player’s condition.

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“At this stage, there are many possibilities,” Webster commented after the match.

“I spoke with the doctor, and he mentioned it could be several things, but we’ll wait for the scans. I can certainly tell you that neither will be playing in two weeks’ time.”

Prior to his injury, Metcalf was the leader in the Dally M count, amassing 31 points before voting was paused after round 13. This could mark the second season-ending ACL injury for the Warriors this year, following co-captain Mitch Barnett’s rupture against South Sydney after coming back from Origin I.

The 26-12 defeat marked the Warriors’ second consecutive loss, the first time this season they have experienced back-to-back defeats.

Currently, they sit in fourth place on the ladder, two wins behind the top-ranked Raiders and a two-win cushion ahead of the Broncos in fifth.