Probable medical retirement:
Manly forward Josh Aloiai may be forced into a premature retirement after struggling to overcome an ongoing shoulder injury.
There are fears Aloiai may have played his last game with the prospect of his career coming to an end a real possibility for the 29-year-old.
Aloiai has struggled with an ongoing shoulder injury this year. It has restricted him to just five appearances.
Aloiai lasted only 21 minutes in his comeback game against the Broncos in round 13 before the injury again forced him from the field.
It was his first game since round six because of the ongoing shoulder issue. It is understood the shoulder become numb for an extended period.
Aloiai still has two years left on his contract worth about $1 million. The Sea Eagles are yet to start the process with the NRL to have Aloiai retired on medical grounds. While they are still sourcing medical opinions to see if they can rehabilitate the injury there is an ever increasing likelihood that Aloiai has placed his last game.
In 2023, Aloiai dislocated his shoulder three times in one game before needing a reconstruction to repair the injury.
He came from the field against the Eels in round four because of the shoulder but was able to return.
The Sea Eagles would be granted a full salary cap exemption should they be successful in applying to the NRL that Aloiai is unable to fulfil his commitments because of the injury. Aloiai will be paid in full.
The Warriors received a salary cap exemption for Tohu Harris when he retired during the off-season because of his failing body.
The Sea Eagles forward depth is already a concern with Aloiai sidelined indefinitely and Taniela Paseka is not due back until the end of the regular season after rupturing his Achilles in round three. They are close to re-signing Ethan Bullemor.
Aloiai only re-signed with the Sea Eagles last year. He has played 164 matches since making his debut for the Tigers in 2016.