Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is hoping some good luck finally falls on his star back-rower Joe Tapine after the Kiwi international was again felled by the injury curse that has haunted him for the past three seasons.
Fresh off the return from a dogged thumb injury that ended his 2018 campaign, Tapine's prone form on the GIO Stadium saw the crowd groan when the medicab was called to carry the 24-year-old off the field after he suffered ankle damage.
Stuart is preparing for the worst but hoping for the best as prepares for cover for his potential absence.
"We've got to get scans tomorrow, I've just got my fingers crossed in regards to it not being a break but that it's ligament damage," Stuart said.
"Injuries for any footy player are tough to deal because of all the hard work you do, you want to be out there playing with your mates.
"Taps unfortunately has had a bit a tough start to the season, but he's got a good attitude and he's a mentally tough kid so he'll bounce back.
"But I feel for him because he just can't get going at the moment."
Tapine's potential loss would be a devastating one for the side, however, the depth the club's forwards this season puts them in the best possible position to ride out his absence.
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Ryan Sutton was excellent again starting at lock earning 118 metres from 14 runs and pulling off 31 tackles.
While Sia Soliola and Siliva Havili were strong off the bench either side of half-time as the home side looked to pressed its advantage through the middle third of the field.
"We've got a number of blokes in Mounties too, they won well today and they're putting pressure on the guys above them," Stuart said of the club's depth.
"I put Corey [Horsburgh] back today to get more time because he's a young guy and it's hard for a middle to get 15 to 25 [minutes] a game so I had to get some match fitness into him."
Get Caught Up: Round 5
Sam Williams again did nothing to dissuade Stuart from changing his winning halves combination alongside Jack Wighton with his performance against Parramatta.
Stuart said barring unforeseen circumstances, he isn't likely change the duo for their home clash against Brisbane in round six.
"Sam was good and Jack was in doubt (hip) and with a lot of work with the physio he trained OK and got through and I thought he was really strong tonight especially defensively," he said.
"Aidan trained as 18 or 19th man just in case Jack didn't get through to tonight and it's hard and it's one of the more difficult parts of coaching to see somebody like Aidan sit out and not get his spot.
"But it's lovely to see Sam taking his opportunity and playing the way he is."
Stuart said while the team's performance in the 19-0 win over the Eels, was not perfect but he saw enough to build on ahead of a Broncos side he feels will be out to prove their critics wrong after their 1-4 start to the season.
Wighton leaps above the pack
"I am going to assure you they'll be down here and at their best next week," Stuart said of Brisbane.
"I can sense it in the air now they'll be here to play.
"They've been based around, knocked around personally and as a club and they are a strong club and they will bounce back and unfortunately it'll be against us next week."
