Raiders' Matty Nicholson Pushes for Fitness Ahead of NRL Season Opener
England international Matty Nicholson has taken a significant step towards being available for round one of the NRL season, training with the Canberra Raiders at their Batemans Bay camp on Tuesday. Despite not undergoing a scan on his left shoulder, Nicholson participated in sessions with his shoulder strapped, though he was restricted from contact drills as he races to be ready for the clash against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale on March 7.
Injury Details and Recovery Concerns
Nicholson suffered a shoulder subluxation during the Raiders' pre-season trial against Cronulla in Gosford last Saturday, forced off after just 11 minutes when his arm got into an awkward position while attempting to tackle Addin Fonua-Blake. Initial reports from the Raiders indicated he showed good strength post-injury, raising hopes for a swift recovery. However, this is not the first time Nicholson has experienced this type of injury, adding to concerns about his readiness.
Physiotherapist Brien Seeney, known as NRL Physio on social media, highlighted the variability in recovery times, noting that a clean subluxation with minimal damage could see a return in 1-3 weeks, but re-injury risks remain elevated. He expressed worry over the innocuous nature of the mechanism, stating it didn't take much force for the joint to shift, which could complicate Nicholson's path back to full fitness.
Depth Options for the Raiders
If Nicholson is unavailable for the season opener, the Raiders have considerable depth in the second row to cover his absence. Options include Simi Sasagi, Zac Hosking, and Noah Martin, all vying to partner Hudson Young. Sasagi offers versatility, potentially slotting into the centres or as a bench utility, while Hosking can be deployed through the middle of the field.
Noah Martin, who made his NRL debut last year with six appearances, emphasized his goal to secure a regular spot in the team, whether starting or off the bench. After blowing out some cobwebs in the trial against Cronulla, Martin stated he aims to play consistent football and contribute to the team's success, highlighting the competitive environment within the squad.
Competition Across Key Positions
The second row is just one area of intense competition as the Raiders prepare for Manly. The hooker position is also up for grabs, with Tom Starling rested from pre-season trials, suggesting he might be the frontrunner for the No.9 jersey. Owen Pattie featured in both trials, and new recruit Jayden Brailey made his Raiders debut against Cronulla, bringing experience from his time at Newcastle.
Brailey welcomed the competition, noting it pushes him to improve and contribute his strengths to enhance the team. He emphasized the collaborative spirit among the hookers, aiming to make the Green Machine even stronger in the upcoming season.
Looking Ahead to Round One
As the Raiders finalize their preparations, all eyes will be on Nicholson's recovery progress in the lead-up to the March 7 showdown. With depth and competition driving performance, Canberra is poised for a strong start to the NRL campaign, regardless of who takes the field at Brookvale.
