LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Sydney Roosters have been hit with a double whammy as catastrophic injuries to key players Sam Walker and Brandon Smith have left the team in ruins, like a shipwrecked crew stranded on a deserted island.
First, halfback sensation Sam Walker suffered a devastating blow just 13 minutes into the game against Canberra, writhing in pain as he clutched his knee like a wounded warrior on the battlefield.
The sight of his departure left fans feeling as deflated as a punctured football.
As if that wasn't bad enough, Brandon Smith was also forced off the field just before halftime, his agony palpable after a brutal tackle that left him hobbling like a wounded kangaroo.
The hip drop from Elliott Whitehead was a moment of controversy that will surely be debated for days to come.
To add insult to injury, the Roosters also lost Victor Radley to a shoulder injury and Nat Butcher to a head knock, leaving the team depleted and demoralized as they suffered a heartbreaking 14-12 loss to the Raiders in a nail-biting finish.
With only one round left before the finals, the Roosters' hopes of a top two finish have been dashed like a dropped pass.
The injury carnage has left the team reeling, like a boxer on the ropes, desperately trying to stay in the fight.
But in true Rugby League fashion, the Roosters will band together and rise from the ashes like a phoenix, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
As the finals approach, they will need to dig deep, show grit and determination, and play like true champions if they hope to salvage their season.
So, as they say in the world of Rugby League, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
And the Roosters have plenty of fight left in them.
Watch out, because this wounded beast is ready to roar.