The Melbourne Storm have provided an update on injured hooker Brandon Smith.
The 23-year old suffered a facial fracture in New Zealand's 30-16 win over the Indigenous All-Stars game on Saturday.
Smith starred in the contest with a stunning two-try performance to be named the All Stars Man of the Match.
The facial fracture is expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks, ruling him out for the early rounds of the 2020 NRL season.
"Scans have revealed he suffered a facial fracture in the All Stars game," the Storm's statement reads.
"He will not need surgery and is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks."
Injury update on Brandon Smith.
Scans have revealed he suffered a facial fracture in the All Stars game.
He will not need surgery and is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 24, 2020
Wow. What a season for injuries!
I can’t remember a year where so many players had significant injuries before round 1. Let’s hope this trend does not continue.
Gee he looks about 15kg overweight.
He does look like he has a little of the Lattrell sydrome. Still if he can turn in good performances for the Storm, it won’t matter.
There have been a lot of injuries this pre-season though in general, Melbourne do not seem to suffer as much as other clubs. I don’t know if they are trained to play a safer brand of football or what, but any team injury list usually shows Melbourne at the better end of the table. Long may it continue.