Parramatta Eels teenager Arthur Miller-Stephen has been ruled out for the entire 2024 season because of a catastrophic knee injury he suffered up during a training session.
The full-back – born in 2003 – made his NRL debut in Round 23 of the 2023 campaign, scoring the opening try in a 26-20 triumph against St George Illawarra Dragons on home soil.
Miller-Stephen, who is also capable of playing on the wing, is a Queensland native who played for Mackay Cutters before joining Parramatta in 2022.
After appearing nine times for the Parramatta Eels’ New South Wales Cup side this year and scoring four tries, it appeared that 2024 could be another season of progression, but this injury has put that dream on hold.
Brad Arthur’s men will attempt to improve on their 10th-place result on the ladder this season in 2024. They posted an injury report on their club website earlier today, with Miller-Stephen being the worst afflicted of the eight players identified.
Clint Gutherson, the team’s co-captain, is also rehabilitating from a knee injury sustained in their final game of the 2023 season, with ‘hopes’ to be ready for the start of the new season.
Daejarn Asi and Makahesi Makatoa both suffered injuries after competing for Samoa and the Cook Islands in the Pacific Championships this autumn.
Back Asi tore a finger tendon, while forward Makatoa tore a pectoral muscle. Both of those players had surgery on their injuries and are expected to return to training in the new year, although no specific timetable has been determined.
In January, they will be joined on the training pitch by co-captain Junior Paulo, who underwent surgery at the end of the season to treat what has been characterized as a “chronic toe injury.”
In January, they will be joined on the training pitch by co-captain Junior Paulo, who underwent surgery at the end of the season to treat what has been characterized as a “chronic toe injury.”
More encouragingly for the Blue and Golds, three of their pack have returned to training this week, freeing up some room on the treatment table.
Half-back Mitchell Moses has recovered from a fractured eye socket, but Matt Doorey and Zac Cini – who both took a knock at the conclusion of the game – are still out.
