Eighteen weeks of suspensions and cruelly timed injuries will leave the Dragons and Raiders without a combined $6 million in playing talent after Magic Round.
While half a dozen stitches to Andrew McCullough s eye lid have turned out to be a welcome result after fears he had suffered a facial fracture, Matt Dufty s AC joint injury only adds to a long list of NRL regulars on the sidelines.
NRL.com understands Dufty is facing up to 3-4 weeks out as he still pushes for a new contract, with Jack Bird and Cody Ramsey the likely fullback options against Cronulla on Friday.