Canberra have suffered a monumental injury blow with fullback Xavier Savage to miss the first six rounds of the NRL season with a fractured jaw.
Savage was one of two frontline players to suffer injuries in the weekend's trial matches, with Melbourne centre Justin Olam also requiring surgery on a fractured forearm.
Most other clubs got through the first round of pre-season games unscathed, with more big-name players set to return this week.
The Raiders, however, have been left to feel the pain of Savage's injury in Sunday's 34-18 loss to Canterbury.
After passing before the line, Savage was collected by Bulldogs forward Jackson Topine and is expected to be out until at least round seven.
The injury comes as a significant hit to Canberra, given they let fellow fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad go to the Warriors at the end of last year.
Jordan Rapana and Nick Cotric could both loom as options to make the switch for the Raiders, having filled in at No.1 before.
Albert Hopoate would be the other alternative, after he played one game at fullback in 2022.
At Melbourne, Olam's absence could also have major ramifications on their backline.
The Papua New Guinea star was hurt early in the Storm's 32-24 defeat to the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, and sent for scans immediately after.
Those scans have confirmed a fracture, with Olam set to undergo surgery and expected to miss the first four rounds.
Melbourne are already without fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, while fellow centre Marion Seve is also battling a knee injury.
The Storm are, however, hopeful that centre George Jennings will return for the start of the season after he suffered an ACL injury in round one of last year.
