Corey Oates grimaces in pain after suffering the brutal injury. Photo / Photosport
Corey Oates grimaces in pain after suffering the brutal injury. Photo / Photosport
The Brisbane Broncos' horror night against the West Tigers got a whole lot worse with winger/back-rower Corey Oates suffering what was feared to be a broken femur.
But in the only stroke of luck the club has had all weekend, an update on Saturday cleared the 25-year-old of a badbreak.
NRL.com reports while a doctor told Oates he had suffered a compound fracture, further examination after being taken to hospital saw him diagnosed with a "large haematoma" and deep gash.
What a massive relief, with Corey Oates cleared of a compound fracture to his femur. After being rushed to hospital he was diagnosed with a large haematoma (bruise/bleeding) and deep gash/laceration to his thigh. Expected return in 3 weeks. Such good news
While he and his teammates lost to the Tigers 48-0 in a performance that has once again heaped pressure on the side, Oates' wellbeing was of much greater importance after the final siren.
It seemed an innocuous moment as Oates jammed his knee into the ground and was rolled over with 16 minutes left on the clock as he was cut down looking to score a try.
But it was soon obvious things were more serious that first thought as Oates stood up and played the ball before falling to the ground, calling for help.
Broken femurs are more commonly sustained in car accidents, such is the force needed to break the strongest bone in the human body, and Oates will be thankful he escaped that fate.
On Fox League, Dan Ginnane said when he saw a bulge poking out that fans may be "feeling queasy at home".
"Jeez they're tough footballers," he said. "He had a bone sticking out of his leg and he tried standing up and getting on with it."
Oates was stretchered off the field in clear distress and was then transferred to the hospital.
Corey Oates grimaces in pain after suffering the brutal injury. Photo / Photosport
Coach Anthony Seibold saw Oates off in the ambulance before his press conference and told reporters it looked like he'd broken his leg.
"It appears that he's got a compound fracture there of his femur. So, it's a very serious injury," he said. "Our thoughts go out to Corey. I just spoke to him then briefly as he was getting into the ambulance.
"He is in a fair bit of pain. He'll need to stay in Sydney, and we'll get some support around him by leaving a staff member with him down here."
Fox League reporter Hannah Hollis shared how serious the injury was at first look tweeting some staff had said it's "the worst thing they've seen".
This wouldn’t be hyperbole in terms of injuries on a footy field. Compound femoral fracture right up there in terms of severity & trauma. Can’t believe he got up a played the ball. Hoping for the best for Oates https://t.co/qojBxtBfSF
