It might be time to start talking about an injury crisis at the Warriors, with the loss of Addin Fonua-Blake for an extended period.
It's the worst possible news for the club, on the back of a growing casualty ward.
Coach Nathan Brown confirmed that the diagnosis for the marqueeprop wasn't favourable, after he left the field in the 14th minute of Sunday's 32-12 loss to the Roosters.
At the time it was hoped that the injury might not be too severe, but that optimistic view has quickly faded.
"There's a number of problems there but it is going to be a long-term injury," Brown told Newstalk ZB. "So he's not going to be around for an extended period. Now whether that's going to be six or eight weeks or a bit longer we are not sure yet.
"The best case is about six to eight weeks but there's still a number of things and people he has got to see but it could be longer term and certainly not a good one. Unfortunately, sometimes in rugby league these collisions happen and sometimes your players are on the wrong end of them"
Fonua-Blake will leave a considerable vacuum. He was tipped as a game changer – their first genuine world class prop in years – and that feeling was vindicated in the opening month of the season, with his powerful performances.
He changed the equation for the team, providing a platform for front foot ball with his ability to bend the line, and his absence may do the same.
Aside from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tohu Harris and perhaps specialist hooker Wayde Egan, Fonua-Blake is probably the next hardest to replace.
Addin Fonua-Blake. Photo / Photosport
The club have also lost both first choice centres (Euan Aitken and Peta Hiku), their No 1 halfback (Chanel Harris-Tavita) and utility forward Bayley Sironen, though the latter is only expected to be out for a couple of weeks.
Prop Jamayne Taumoa-Brown is still suspended and Bunty Afoa took an early guilty plea for a shoulder charge, copping a one week ban.
"It was the letter of the law," said Brown. "There was no use challenging it because in the heat of battle we got that one wrong."
Despite the situation, Brown asserts they have the depth to cope, starting with the game against the Sea Eagles on Friday night at 8pm.
"We are quite confident in the blokes coming into the team are going to do a really good job," said Brown. "That's what we need at this point in time.
"A lot of boys have been training well for a long time and waiting for their opportunity. A couple of them have got their opportunity probably a touch quicker than what they thought but they've been training well and when they have been playing, whether it is Queensland Cup or the local Newcastle comp, they have been performing well at that level. Now they're just gonna have to come up to the top level and transform it."
Brown expects new teenage fullback Reece Walsh to arrive soon, after being released by the Broncos.
"My understanding is that Brisbane have agreed to release him so at some stage we are hopeful of him turning up this week, to join the squad for the next three years."
There has been speculation of a player swap – with exciting rookie Paul Turner heading to Red Hill – though Brown hopes that won't be the case.
"I would much rather Paul stay with us but I also understand that [the manager] is looking for opportunities for Paul as well," said Brown.
"From the club's point of view we certainly didn't want Paul to go anywhere, but what ends up happening, I don't know. Sometimes you don't have control of all these things and if Paul has to go the other way that's the way it is."
