Canberra Raiders NRL News

Canberra's Elliott Whitehead has been hit with a lengthy ban and up to $5000 in fines for three separate incidents on Sunday, including a hip-drop tackle on Sydney Roosters' hooker Brandon Smith that is feared to have ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Whitehead, who is off to Super League next year, has been slapped with a minimum three-game suspension for the dangerous contact, along with a minimum $3600 in fines for tripping James Tedesco and contrary conduct on Angus Crichton.

The Raiders veteran was sent to the sin bin on two separate occasions for the incidents involving Smith and Crichton in the Raiders' 14-12...

Brandon Smith is feared to have ruptured his ACL in the second brutal blow to the Sydney Roosters' premiership hopes as he joins star halfback Sam Walker in staring down a lengthy recovery that will stretch well into 2025.

Scans confirmed late on Sunday evening that Walker requires a knee reconstruction after clutching at his knee having contested a kick in a devastating 14-12 loss to Canberra.

Smith is awaiting follow-up scans on Monday morning, but they are expected to confirm that he too has torn his ACL in a contentious Elliott Whitehead tackle that led to a heated exchange between he and Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Whitehead was...