‘Shattered’: NRL recruit’s moving admission

Two months after returning to the NRL, hooker Cameron King has torn his ACL during a trial match, his maiden season for the Cronulla Sharks “more than likely” at an end.

King was taken off the field during the Sharks’ 30-18 loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea — he was attempting to pivot out of an attempted tackle in the second half when his left knee buckled underneath him.

King screamed in agony before limping off the field with the help of trainers. Scans on Monday evening confirmed the tear in his knee, which caused serious swelling and bruising.

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It’s a cruel blow for the 28-year-old, who was hoping to reignite his NRL career following a move from the Super League in England.

Another worrisome knee injury; Cameron King off with right knee injury. Non-contact, direction change & knee collapsing in brings concern by video for ACL/meniscus injury. Best case MCL/bone bruise but once again not good signs, fingers crossed for better than expected news pic.twitter.com/XKKV4cfdPg

Scans have confirmed the Sharks worst fears, with hooker Cameron King suffering a torn ACL in the trial match against the Bulldogs on Saturday night#UpUp

King posted an emotional message to Twitter, thanking his supporters, but also admitting he was “shattered” by the news.

“Shattered … it’s still sinking in that my season is over,” King tweeted.

“It’s been hard to accept what’s happened and I’d be lying if I said I’m OK. I’m taking things one day at a time and determined to not let this defeat me physically or mentally.

“Thank you all for the support.”

Shattered..? it’s still sinking in that my season is over. It’s been hard to accept what’s happened and I’d be lying if I said I’m ok. I’m taking things 1 day at a time and determined to not let this defeat me physically or mentally. Thank you all for the support ??

Melbourne Storm player Sandor Earl wished King “all the best” in his recovery.

“Our setbacks build character and resilience, two huge factors as to who we are as people,” Earl tweeted.

“These can only be built in the arena when we take a chance and commit to something.

“You will bounce back, always here to talk shop on the recovery my man! All the best!”

Sharks captain Wade Graham said it was an “unfortunate” situation for his new teammate, who signed for Cronulla in December.

“They need to wait for bone bruising to go before they can do the surgery. It’s not ideal for him. He came back, he got an opportunity with the club,” Graham said at the Fox League launch on Tuesday.

Cronulla Sharks captain Wade Graham speaking during the Fox League 2020 season launchSource:AAP

“He trained well in the pre-season, playing his first game, and to go down in those circumstances is really sad. But the club will stick with him.

“It’s unfortunate for him.”

King represented St George Illawarra during his maiden NRL season in 2010, playing 17 games over three season. He also played for the North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels before moving to the Super League in 2019.

With AAP

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