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Sam Walker and Brandon Smith's NRL seasons are both over, in a brutal double blow to the Sydney Roosters that will have lasting impacts into 2025.
The Roosters' premiership hopes were dealt the harshest possible setback on Sunday, with Walker suffering a ruptured ACL in his team's loss to Canberra.
Smith has also sustained ACL and MCL damage after being the victim of an Elliott Whitehead hip-drop tackle that prompted a post-match feud between Trent Robinson and the Raiders forward.
The Roosters will leave Smith in a knee brace for the next few weeks, but he is no chance of returning this year and every chance of still needing an operation.
The only positive for the Tricolours is that second-rower Victor Radley will avoid surgery for a fractured scapula, and is some chance of returning late in the post-season.
Whitehead has been offered a three-match suspension for his tackle with an early plea.
Forward Nat Butcher should at least return for the finals, but will also miss Friday's clash against South Sydney with concussion.
In the short term, the Roosters' injuries threaten to stop the club's charge towards their first premiership since 2019.
No club has won the grand final without their first-choice halfback available during the NRL era, with Sandon Smith likely to be the man to fill the number seven jersey.
Smith's absence will also likely mean Connor Watson reverts to the hooker role, after starting there three times this season.
"We've got a squad for that reason," coach Trent Robinson said.
"You guys don't get to see them always, but you've got to believe in who's coming next.
"So let's go, let's get excited about moving on to next week."
Loading...The Roosters do at least hope to have Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back for this week's clash with the Rabbitohs, while centre Billy Smith is also fit again.
In the long term, the implications could be even more significant for the Roosters.
The club will lose more than 750 games in experience at season's end, with Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii all exiting.
Walker's injury will mean they will have a brand new halves combination for at least the first half of 2025, with ACL ruptures generally requiring a nine-month recovery.
Sandon Smith will therefore likely partner Chad Townsend in the halves, as the Roosters face their biggest test in the halves since 2016.
Watson could also be forced into a long-term hooker switch to start next year, if Brandon Smith does face a lengthy rehabilitation.
Teenager Tyler Moriarty would be another option to be blooded at dummy-half, but the Roosters do have cash to spend.
AAP