Saints Rhys Stanley and Jason Blake left the ground within minutes of one another last weekend, both suffering serious injuries. Stanley sustained additional damage to his hamstring having only just returned to the field on Sunday while Blake sprained his ankle.

It is expected Stanley will remain sidelined for four to six weeks. In a similar turn of fate, Blake is unlikely to return for at least six weeks as he recovers from the high-level sprain.

From the same match, Brendon Goddard was yesterday issued with a two match ban for striking Kangaroo Sam Wright. Being assessed as a level four strike, Goddard risks an additional week if he chooses to appeal the charge and is unsuccessful.