North Queensland coach Todd Payten has confirmed Valentine Holmes played his final minutes in a Cowboys jersey with a broken fibula as the superstar centre attempted to keep the club’s season alive.
The injury will see Holmes available to return to debut in the Red V in round one of next season but has ruled him out of contention for the end-of-year Test series for Australia.
With all odds aligning against the Cowboys in the final minutes, Holmes fell to the turf in agony and clutched at his lower leg.
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Video replays showed no rival Sharks players within range of the 29-year-old as he collapsed, with immediate concern placed on a potential Achilles injury.
However, Payten revealed the club believes Holmes had suffered the injury in the 69th minute when he scored a try, only to return to his feet and continue for an additional eight minutes.
“He’s broken his fibula – it’s not the way he wanted to finish in the jersey,” Payten said.
“We’re unsure if he’s cracked it when he scored or properly broken it when he started to take off [later in the match].
“We’re not quite sure. He was certainly aware of it. He gave it a good shot [playing on]. He’s on the plane with us this morning.
“Seven guys needed injections prior to the game on Friday… Everyone goes through it at this time of year. It’s a tough game.
“I’m proud of all the lads.”
Nine’s Danika Mason initially reported club medics believed the centre had broken his leg, which could likely put a dampener on his move to the Dragons.
But soon-to-be head coach Shane Flanagan said he was relieved to learn of the severity star recruit’s condition on Saturday morning.
“Val’s toughness is something that goes unnoticed,” Flanagan said.
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“He’s not the biggest body, but he played well and truly above his weight. Friday night he showed that mental toughness to play injured.
“I’m just glad it’s nothing worse. I knew it was an impact injury when watching the game.
“All our staff were saying it may have been a fracture to the fibula. They were straight onto it.
“I spoke to him this morning. He said he was walking around OK; he was in a boot, but he wouldn’t know the full extent until he has scans back in Townsville.”
Holmes was spotted hobbling back to the line following his second try of the match in the 70th minute, however, little concern was placed on his actions.
“Oh, that’s not good,” Cameron Smith said on Nine.
“He was holding his lower leg after he scored earlier – but this is not a good sign for Val.
Peter Psaltis added: “That’s not a sight you want to see.”
Payten confirmed post-match that retiring winger Kyle Feldt had also suffered a calf injury.
“We got some feedback prior to that long run that he made that his calf was gone,” he said.
Holmes will reunite with former coach Flanagan in the Red in 2025 after signing a three-year deal with the club.