LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
St George Illawarra's young forward, Ryan Couchman, has been dealt a heartbreaking blow with scans revealing he will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL he suffered during a game against the Bulldogs.
Couchman, who had only been on the field for a few minutes, will now undergo surgery and embark on a tough rehabilitation journey in the hope of returning in 2026.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan expressed his disappointment, stating, "This is a really unfortunate injury for Ryan coming just a few minutes into his 2025 season ...
Ryan had a great pre-season and we were looking forward to a big season from him." Flanagan is confident in Couchman's dedication to his recovery, noting, "I've got no doubt he will throw himself into his rehab with the same level of professionalism he approaches his training and we look forward to seeing him hit the ground running in 2026."
This injury is not only a setback for Couchman but also impacts St George Illawarra's middle forward stocks.
The team will now have to adjust their lineup and game plan without the young forward's contributions on the field.
The loss of Couchman will require other players to step up and fill the void left by his absence, adding a new challenge for the team to overcome.
Despite the disappointment of losing Couchman for the season, the Dragons remain optimistic about his future and recovery.
The team is hopeful that Couchman will use this setback as motivation to come back stronger in 2026 and make a significant impact on the field.
As Couchman begins his journey towards recovery, the Dragons will continue to support him and look forward to his return next season.