Farah, Ballin shape as finals losses

20 Aug 2012, 8:00 pm   -   Source: AAP
Manly's Matt Ballin has been placed under an injury cloud just two weeks out from the NRL playoffs. (AAP)

Manly's Matt Ballin has been placed under an injury cloud just two weeks out from the NRL playoffs. (AAP)

Manly's injury nightmare looks set to continue with Matt Ballin and David Williams possibly joining Tiger Robbie Farah as key NRL finals omissions.

Manly hooker Matt Ballin could join his Wests Tigers counterpart Robbie Farah as a key finals casualty with both playmakers under injury clouds just two weeks out from the NRL playoffs.

Manly winger David Williams could be another finals absentee with reports suggesting he could be out of football for up to 12 months after suffering a possible anterior cruciate injury.

Farah is likely to be ruled out for the remainder of the season on Tuesday after scans confirmed he fractured his right hand in his team's round 24 loss to Canterbury on Friday.

Ballin went down during the Sea Eagles' big win over Newcastle at Brookvale Oval on Sunday and may have suffered an Achilles injury which could put him out for an extended period.

Williams' knee injury could be the worst case possible.

Farah, Ballin and Williams would be key losses for their respective teams with the Tigers battling to hold onto eighth position and Manly yet to seal a top four spot, with two regular season rounds remaining.

Ballin is just one of several injury worries for the NRL champion Sea Eagles.

Ballin, Jason King (shoulder) Jamie Buhrer (concussion) and David Williams (leg) will all meet with Manly coach Geoff Toovey and club doctor Paul Bloomfield on Tuesday morning to determine the full extent of their injuries after all four players underwent a series of scans on Monday.

Buhrer shapes as a replacement for Ballin if the tough No.9 is forced out. Despite being knocked out against the Knights, one-time NSW utility Buhrer is expected to be fit for Manly's crucial round 25 clash with Brisbane on Friday night.

But NSW State of Origin hooker Farah shapes as the most notable omission from the NRL final series, should the Tigers qualify. They face lowly Sydney Roosters on Sunday at Allianz Stadium and Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval in the final round.

"We are still waiting for the full report on Robbie," a Tigers official told AAP.

"We are not sure but he might have to see a specialist but we should know the full extent of it tomorrow."

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube