Xavier Coates injury updates: Diagnosis, return date as Melbourne Storm winger suffers hamstring issue

Mark Molyneux

Xavier Coates injury updates: Diagnosis, return date as Melbourne Storm winger suffers hamstring issue image

Xavier Coates has suffered a hamstring injury during Melbourne’s 16-6 win over Canberra which will have major implications for both his club side and Queensland ahead of Origin III.

Coates was visibly upset as he made his way from the pitch at AAMI Park before eventually being helped down the tunnel by two trainers.

The flyer pulled up lame after attempting to pounce upon a loose ball in the in-goal in the closing stages of his side’s clash against the Raiders.

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Xavier Coates injury updates: Diagnosis, return date as Melbourne Storm winger suffers hamstring issue

The Storm have confirmed Coates has suffered a re-occurrence of the right hamstring injury he was troubled by in Round 8. 

Against South Sydney, Coates pulled up lame but only went on to miss two matches for the club with the issue. 

Unfortunately, this time, the Storm have confirmed Coates suffered a low-grade tear to his hamstring and will miss 6-8 weeks.

 

 

"It’s obviously not great," Craig Bellamy said. 

"He’s had a few issues, but until he actually gets a scan, I don’t think we’re going to know the exact extent of the injury.

"I wouldn’t think that he’d be available (for Origin) but I don’t know that."

Who could replace Xavier Coates for the QLD Maroons in State of Origin?

Selwyn Cobbo appears to be the most likely replacement for Coates in the decider.

The Brisbane star featured off the bench for Billy Slater in the opening match but was then controversially left out of the side for the loss at the MCG.

Slater cited how the Broncos young gun needed a “rest” while also mentioning some aspects of his game that he needed to improve on.

Cobbo returned to action in Round 17 and was one of only three Broncos to clock over 100 run metres during his side’s loss to the New Zealand Warriors.

The 22-year-old showed signs of his rampaging best across the ditch as he busted through nine tackles, made two linebreaks and finished with 139m.

Dane Gagai was listed as 18th man in Game II and will also be in contention, while AJ Brimson is set to return from a groin injury in Round 18 and could be an outside shot for a recall. 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.