St George Illawarra’s horror injury run has taken another blow, with Blake Lawrie ruled out of the club’s final game of the season after being hospitalised with a knee infection.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 27-year-old suffered a cut that quickly worsened, leaving him bedridden and requiring urgent treatment.
Lawrie was admitted to hospital on Monday and remained there for three days as doctors worked to contain the infection.
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Forced onto an IV drip
The severity of the setback meant Lawrie had to be placed on an intravenous drip, ending his year earlier than planned. His absence adds to a long list of casualties for the Dragons, who are already without seven players for their clash against Penrith.
It’s a cruel twist for the prop, who has been a dependable figure in the Red V forward pack. While the infection is not expected to linger beyond the off-season, his sudden withdrawal leaves Shane Flanagan with even fewer options to round out a challenging campaign.
Lawrie’s enforced layoff caps a frustrating end to a season in which St George Illawarra have regularly had to shuffle their line-up, making their final assignment against the Panthers all the more difficult.