'Quite distressed': Disturbing details emerge over hospitalised NRL star
Concerning new details have come to light about the injury to Sean Russell that's left the Parramatta Eels rookie in hospital.
Russell has spent the last three nights in hospital after the teenager's dream hat-trick for the Eels turned sour when he was collected by the knees of Titans flyer Jayden Campbell during his side's 32-28 win on Sunday afternoon.
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The ugly incident left him fractured ribs and a punctured lung, however, the NRL's match review committee opted not to charge Campbell after deeming that he didn't act carelessly in the collision.
It was ruled the Titans player had made accidental knee contact as his arm simultaneously hit the ball in a bid to save a try.
The Eels could justifiably feel aggrieved by the decision, with Russell still in hospital and the full extent of his injuries not yet known.
News Corp journalist Dean Ritchie told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast that he had spoken with the Eels rookie's family, who have been left "distressed" by the ordeal.
Sean Russell off to hospital with suspected broken ribs, traumatic mechanism with direct contact to his right side. Hospital trip likely to clear any internal damage, fingers crossed that’s the case here. If injury isolated to ribs most players return in 3-6 weeks pic.twitter.com/dck050Q4EJ
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 13, 2022
“I checked on his wellbeing with Parramatta last night and he’s still in hospital. The doctors won’t know the final diagnosis until Friday,” Ritchie said.
“Once that is determined then Parramatta can release a statement saying how long he’ll be out for.
“I know his family are quite distressed about the whole situation and it’s obviously very sad.”
Campbell was however not charged by the match review committee on Monday, as they ruled he had made accidental knee contact as his arm simultaneously hit the ball in a bid to save a try.
"The match review committee believed there was forcible contact obviously, however, they did not deem the actions of Jayden Campbell to be careless," NRL head of football Graham Annesley said.
"They form the view that Campbell made contact while attempting to stop Sean Russell from scoring by attempting to dislodge the ball from Russell who at that stage had lowered his body well before the goal line.
"They did not believe Campbell dangerously led with his knees.
"They felt their review showed Campbell lowering his body and leading with his arm and a genuine attempt to stop the try from being scored."
Injury crisis worsens for Parramatta Eels
The Eels are facing an early season injury crisis, with forward Ryan Matterson (hamstring injury) and utility Marata Niukore also joining Russell on the sidelines.
Matterson picked up the injury late in Parramatta's win over Gold Coast, playing on before the injury showed up this week.
The Eels are hopeful the injury is not too serious, but they are cautious over a return date given the lingering nature of hamstring problems.
Niukore picked up the calf strain in training earlier this week, leaving him off the list to take on Cronulla on Saturday.
The impact of the blows has at least been mitigated by the return of Nathan Brown, who was left to return to full match fitness through reserve grade last week.
Compounding the Eels' injury woes is the fact that wingers Maika Sivo and Haze Dunster remain out long term.
It prompted Parramatta to name Waqa Blake on the wing on Tuesday, with Tom Opacic brought into the side at centre.
with AAP
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