LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Sydney Roosters' pursuit of a perfect season in the NRLW has hit a major snag as superstar halfback Tarryn Aiken has suffered an ACL injury.
Aiken sustained the injury just 15 minutes into the Roosters' final regular-season match against the Sharks on Thursday night, with medical scans revealing that it was serious.
The 26-year-old will need reconstructive surgery on her knee, which will prevent her from participating in the upcoming finals.
"Life really be testing me this year. Hopeful for better times in '26," Aiken expressed on Instagram.
Her absence is a significant blow even for a talented Roosters lineup.
"Tarryn is a highly influential player and such an important member of the squad, so this news is really tough for her and for all of us," noted coach John Strange.
He added, "She has been in terrific form and is a real leader on and off the field. While it's a setback, and we're all shattered for Taz, we know how driven she is, and we'll be supporting her every step of the way through her recovery."
Aiken has previously enjoyed significant success, being a three-time premiership winner and receiving the Karyn Murphy Medal for her outstanding performance in last year's grand final against Cronulla, which the Roosters won 32-28.