Home

Titans make call on Tino after nasty eye injury

Joel GouldAAP
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is keen to back up after Origin for the Titans, but in doubt with an eye wound. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconTino Fa'asuamaleaui is keen to back up after Origin for the Titans, but in doubt with an eye wound. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Gold Coast are confident captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will back up for the Titans after he was wearing the scars of battle following his return to the State of Origin arena.

The Maroons prop, who missed last season with an ACL rupture, had stitches in a badly cut left eye that had gone black after the 18-6 loss to NSW on Wednesday night.

Of concern was the swelling around his eye socket area, with AAP told the Gold Coast skipper underwent scans to confirm there is no fracture.

Titans coach Des Hasler said Fa'asuamaleaui and fellow Maroons teammates Moeaki Fotuaika and Beau Fermor are expected to get the green light to face Melbourne on Saturday.

"It looks like all three boys will back up, they all pulled up healthy," Hasler said.

"He (Fa'asuamaleaui) is OK, it's just bruises, there's no injury concern."

The Game AFL 2025

Fa'asuamaleaui won a title with Melbourne in 2020 and it is a match he always marks on his calendar.

"I pride myself on backing up from Origin. I intend to play," he said.

"I hope to be back again (for game two of the Origin series) in Perth but first of all I want to perform for the Titans against the Storm."

North Queensland quartet Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden and Reece Robson were also cleared of any injuries and should back up against Wests Tigers on Saturday night.

Brisbane had two players involved in Origin - NSW's man of the match Payne Haas and Maroons lock Pat Carrigan.

Both were set for medicals on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday night's away clash with Manly.

Haas battled a quad injury in the 10 days leading up to Origin but still was the best player on the park in a remarkable display.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan said Valentine Holmes pulled through Queensland's loss with no issues and will face Newcastle on Friday.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails