Melbourne sensation Sua Fa’alogo may not play again before the finals as NRL clubs count the costs of one of the most damaging rounds of the year.

The Storm confirmed on Monday that Fa’alogo would be sidelined for two to three months after badly tearing his left hamstring in the win over Cronulla.

The winger’s injury comes after Melbourne centre Jack Howarth had his appendix removed last week and will miss at least three games, while fellow wingers Will Warbrick and Moses Leo are also out for extended periods.

Fa’alogo’s injury was one of many suffered by high-profile players in a brutal round 17, as several clubs continued to hold their breath on Monday and hope for the best.

No team were more impacted than St George Illawarra, who finished Saturday night’s win over Parramatta with no fit players on the bench and three injured men on the field.

Dragons winger Nathan Lawson played the final 15 minutes unable to lift his right arm in one of the bravest wins of any team this season.

After losing Christian Tuipulotu in the warm-up when he aggravated a hamstring problem, Luciano Leilua hurt his quad, Toby Couchman dislocated his shoulder, Viliame Fifita damaged his knee and rookie Hamish Stewart suffered a concussion.

Fifita’s knee injury and Damien Cook’s ankle problem are not serious and they should be right to face Canberra.

Stewart has already been ruled out of the rumble with the Raiders after his concussion was deemed a category-one incident and Couchman may not play again this season.

Tuipulotu and Lawson are highly unlikely to be right, which could mean Tyrell Sloan gets a recall if he is not signed by another club before the Monday signings deadline expires.

Valentine Holmes will be unavailable due to next Wednesday’s State of Origin series decider which is causing mayhem for coaches at the selection table.

Canberra prop Joe Tapine (dislocated finger) has been cleared to play but they are without Josh Papalii after his unexpected Maroons call-up.

Wests Tigers utility Heath Mason is out of Sunday’s trip east to face the Roosters after making contact with the referee during Friday’s loss to Manly.

With Jarome Luai absent with the NSW side, Api Koroisau out with a concussion and Tallyn Da Silva linking with Parramatta on Monday, coach Benji Marshall has plenty of headaches to solve his team’s spine woes with fullback Jahream Bula already sidelined with a torn hamstring.

Round 18 teams

All times AEST

Bulldogs vs Broncos at Accor Stadium: 8pm, Friday July 4

Bulldogs: They will be without Kurt Mann, Stephen Crichton, Max King and Jacob Kiraz, on Origin duty while Viliame Kikau is free to play after only copping a fine for a high shot on Nathan Cleary in last Thursday’s loss to Penrith.

Broncos: Veteran Ben Hunt (hamstring) has not been sighted since Round 10 and is close to his comeback. Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan will be out due to rep commitments.

Raiders vs Dragons at GIO Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday July 5

Raiders: Hudson Young was rested from their trip to Newcastle and he will be absent on Origin duty this week, likely along with Corey Horsburgh. 

Dragons: Hamish Stewart (concussion) and Toby Couchman (shoulder) are out, wingers Nathan Lawson (arm) and Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) are at long odds while decisions on Luciano Leilua (thigh), Viliame Fifita (knee) and Damien Cook (ankle) will be made later in the week.

Cowboys vs Storm at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday July 5

Cowboys: Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter will be out due to Origin while Karl Lawton is out suspended for another week.

Jason Taumalolo (calf) is no guarantee to return after a prolonged absence. Jordan McLean (calf) and John Bateman (groin) are also under an injury cloud.

Storm: Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero will be in Origin camp.

Young winger Sua Fa’alogo injured his hamstring in Sunday’s win over Cronulla and may not play again in the regular season.

Eliesa Katoa celebrates scoring a try with teammates (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Roosters vs Tigers at Allianz Stadium: 4pm, Sunday July 6

Roosters: Coming off a bye, Sandon Smith should be right to suit up at five-eighth despite a recent knee injury. Victor Radley will sit this one out due to a concussion a fortnight ago.

Tigers: Jarome Luai is again absent with the NSW side, Heath Mason is facing a suspension for bumping into the ref during the loss to Manly, Api Koroisau is out with a concussion and Tallyn Da Silva linked with Parramatta on Monday to further weaken the team’s spine.

Adam Doueihi will shift from the centres into the halves with Latu Fainu and Tristan Hope is set to take over at hooker with Luke Laulilii, Alex Lobb and Sunia Turuva options for fullback.

Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs at QCB Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday July 6

Sea Eagles: Manly are awaiting a prognosis on Nathan Brown’s bicep, hopeful he can avoid season-ending surgery after a suspected rupture.

Rabbitohs: Souths have halves issues with Cody Walker set for a stint out with a hamstring tear, while his likely replacement Jayden Sullivan suffered a broken leg in NSW Cup. 

The Rabbitohs are awaiting scans to determine how long Walker will miss, but Jack Wighton or Lewis Dodd will need to play No.6 against Manly on Sunday.

Latrell Mitchell is away with the NSW team.

Byes – Dolphins, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Titans, Warriors

with AAP