In a miserable outing for the Gold Coast against Canterbury in Round 3, the Titans suffered a heavy defeat while also losing Tino Fa'asuamaleaui for the rest of the season.
Des Hasler’s side were battered 32-0 by the Dogs to suffer back-to-back losses to start the year, while Tino will now be sidelined for the rest of 2024.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui injury update: Gold Coast Titans captain ruled out for the season with ACL injury
Fa'asuamaleau had to be helped from the field by two trainers after copping the serious knee injury.
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The forward took a hit-up but injured his leg after his counterpart Max King fell awkwardly on him while in the process of bringing the big man down.
After the medical staff worked through the regular checks, the prop was helped to his feet before limping off while being unable to put any weight on his leg.
Hasler was pictured watching on from inside the box in what had been a horror return to Belmore for the former Canterbury coach.
"It's definitely his knee," Hasler confirmed post-match.
"I guess at the moment that can range anywhere from MCL to ACL. So, once we get some confirmation around that through some scans, we'll know a bit more.
"But it didn't look good walking off."
Hasler was then asked to confirm whether or not the early indications out of the sheds were that the forward had avoided a dreaded ACL injury.
"Well, if it's not, that's a positive outcome," Hasler replied. "But we won't know until it's confirmed."
What happened to Tino Fa'asuamaleaui?
Gold Coast have now confirmed the devastating news that Tino tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Canterbury after getting twisted in an awkward tackle.
"There is no doubt Tino is a big part of this team and club and will leave a big hole, but we are going to have to have a next-man-up mentality and do our best," the club's assistant coach Jim Lenihan told AAP.
The injury is the second ACL injury experienced by Queensland forwards in the first month of the season after fellow Maroons' star Tom Gilbert one in the trials.
"The Titans can confirm Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after scans revealed the captain to have ruptured his ACL in Saturday’s Round 3 clash against the Bulldogs," the club noted.
"In a devastating blow for the Gold Coast forward, he will now meet with medical staff to outline his rehabilitation."