LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Parramatta Eels have copped a double injury blow ahead of the 2025 NRL season kickoff, with both Shaun Lane and Bailey Simonsson sidelined.
These two players were missing in action during last week's trial match against the Newcastle Knights, and they won't be lacing up their boots for this weekend's showdown with the Wests Tigers.
In a somber injury update tucked away in the team list announcement, the Eels confirmed that Lane will be nursing a knee issue until at least Round 4, while Simonsson is slated to make his comeback around the same time following his ACL reconstruction from last year.
But it's not all doom and gloom for the Eels, as star players Mitchell Moses and Junior Paulo have been given the green light for Round 1 against the Melbourne Storm.
Even though they're sitting out of this weekend's pre-season clash, the dynamic duo is raring to go when the competition heats up, showing true grit and determination in the face of adversity.
With Simonsson and Lane out of the picture for the season opener, the Eels will have to dig deep and find replacements to fill their boots on the field.
But as they say in Rugby League, it's all part of the game - you win some, you lose some, but the real champions rise above the challenges thrown their way.