Touching scenes as league player reduced to tears following injury

Rugby league can be a cruel game.

For all the highs the sport can provide, there are just as many lows.

The Bulldogs' Kiwi centre Chase Stanley experienced the worst of it when he was forced off the field with a hamstring injury in his side's loss to Canberra at Belmore Sports Ground on Monday night.

Stanley is used to injury in his career, but this was the one night he didn't deserve to have his body let him down. He was playing his 100th NRL match - a milestone that's taken him nearly a decade to reach because he's spent more time on the physio table than the footy field.

So when his night was over, emotion overcame the 26-year-old, with cameras capturing the outside back in tears in the Bulldogs' dressing room shortly after half-time.

Those shots of chase Stanley are so sad... Fingers crossed it is a better than expected outcome. #NRLBulldogsRaiders

— Erin Molan (@Erin_Molan) April 4, 2016

Chase Stanley crying in the changing room broke my heart! 😭😭😭

— 𝕋.𝔸 (@txnaahh) April 4, 2016

Tough to watch Chase Stanley in tears in the sheds. The poor bloke has had so much bad luck! #NRLBulldogsRaiders

— Zac Bailey (@ZacBailey14) April 4, 2016

But while the rest of his teammates were out on the field or sitting on the bench, one man stayed behind. Canterbury enforcer David Klemmer was shown hugging a visibly distressed Stanley, consoling him by holding him tight and speaking words of encouragement in his ear.

The heartbreaking vision clearly had an impact on viewers.

"The poor young bloke is gutted, what a nightmare run of injuries he has had," said Fox Sports commentator Andy Raymond.

"100 games up tonight, unfortunately it ends like so many have in his 10-year career," said Warren Smith.

"It's a great shame."

Since debuting for the Dragons in 2007, Stanley has had issues with his shoulders, knees and elbows. As bad as that sounds, he's actually not the unluckiest member of his family.

Younger brother Kyle retired last year at just 24 years of age because his body could not keep up with the rigours of playing rugby league. He underwent five knee reconstructions since breaking into first grade - also with St George - in 2010.

- news.com.au with AAP