Brisbane's Kai Lohmann searching for form after setting ‘high bar' last season
Lohmann, who kicked four goals in Brisbane's 60-point grand final win over Sydney last season to cap off a memorable campaign, has struggled for form and consistency this year.
The 22-year-old forward has only kicked four goals in nine appearances this season in a campaign that has been affected by ankle and shoulder injuries.
Lohmann had to settle for the substitute's role last Saturday against GWS Giants, and despite being injected into the contest late in the first quarter after Jack Payne suffered a season-ending knee injury, he failed to kick a goal in the Lions' 11-point loss.
'He set a high bar last year and he has probably become a little bit too preoccupied with reaching that high bar again or going past it,' Fagan said ahead of Brisbane's battle with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
'In the process he's lost a little bit of confidence because he hasn't been able to play as well as he would have liked, and yes he's had a lot of injuries.
'We'll just be patient with him. He'll get there.'
Fagan threw similar support behind Lohmann's fellow forward Charlie Cameron, who has also battled for form this season.
Cameron has kicked only 14 goals in 12 appearances this year and has often struggled to get his hands on the ball.
'He's had a little bit of an up and down year. It's probably his accuracy that's hurt him more than anything. He's had plenty of shots on goal,' Fagan said of Cameron, who has kicked 16 behinds.
'He was really good against Adelaide (two weeks ago) … we'll back him in.'
The Lions will want to improve their overall accuracy on Friday night after kicking a combined total of 21 goals and 33 behinds in back-to-back losses to the Crows and Giants.
'We're nine wins and four losses (and a draw), so we're in a reasonably healthy position, particularly compared to last year, but that (goalkicking accuracy) is the one glaring thing that has hurt us in the last couple of weeks,' Fagan said.
To avoid a third successive loss, the Lions must win on Friday at a ground where they have suffered defeat 13 consecutive times, with their most recent victory at GMHBA Stadium coming in 2003.
'We've ticked off many things over the last few years – that's all part of being competitive,' Fagan said.
'It's all part of goal setting and striving.'
Fagan confirmed that experienced defender Darcy Gardiner would replace Payne in Brisbane's backline.
'We've been trying to turn him (Gardiner) into a forward, but his career as an AFL player has been as a backman mostly,' he said.
'We're really confident he can go back there and have an impact.'
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hughes hospitalised as Storm title hopes take a hit
The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over. The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over. The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
What Maroons' forward contender Kulikefu Finefeuiaki said to inspire the Ipswich SHS's latest Aussie schoolboy representative
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News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘It's not good news': Storm face crucial call at halfback as premiership favourites deal with Jahrome Hughes' shoulder injury
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says his side won't be able to completely recover regardless of who comes in to replace Jahrome Hughes next week as the club sweats on scans to determine the severity of the halfback's shoulder injury. Hughes left the field just minutes into the second half of Melbourne's gutsy 34-30 win over the Roosters with the club confirming immediately that he'd dislocated his shoulder after landing awkwardly while making a tackle on James Tedesco. The reigning Dally M Medal winner was in agony and had to be helped off Allianz Stadium, with Melbourne's medical staff unable to put it back in. Confirmation Jahrome Hughes has injured his shoulder and won’t return tonight. He is going to hospital for assessment and pain relief. We will provide another update as soon as we can ðŸ'œ — Melbourne Storm (@storm) July 24, 2025 'He's gone to the hospital and the doctor has gone with him. We're not really sure (how bad it is) but it's dislocated and they couldn't get it (back) in here so he'll probably have to go under to get it back in,' Bellamy said after the game. 'Whether he's got a crack in it as well or whether (it's something else) we might not find out until tomorrow, but you'd like to think they'll get it back in tonight. 'It's not good news, but we're not sure the severity of it until he has an X-ray or a scan. 'I experienced it myself. I had both my shoulders reconstructed. 'I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem. The longer it's out, the more it stretches the ligaments and the muscles around the joint. I don't think it's overly good news.' Storm indicate Jahrome Hughes suffered a dislocated shoulder - textbook mechanism landing on outstretched arm. General recovery guide: - minimal structural damage/joint stable: trial rehab for 3-6 weeks - significant damage/joint unstable: reco surgery & 3+ months — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 24, 2025 Hughes has had shoulder issues in the past and will miss the rest of the season if scans confirm the worst. It would be a huge blow for the premiership favourites who bravely fought on without him as skipper Harry Grant stood tall with superstars Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona also missing. Hughes had already set up a try and was starting to look threatening in attack before he was forced off, with the result moving them back into second spot for now. 'I reckon it was just getting to the stage of the game where he would have started doing a bit more running,' Bellamy said. 'The back end of the first half he started doing a bit of running and he was causing some issues for the Roosters defence. 'No one wants to lose their halfback. He's a massive part of our footy team.' Bellamy has two clear options for next week's game against the Eels, with Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet the men most likely to partner Munster in the halves. Wishart played five-eighth on Thursday night and filled in admirably in the halves last season while Munster was out injured, while Pezet is a more traditional halfback but has played just two NRL games off the bench this year after returning from a serious knee injury. 'We'll give someone else a chance,' Bellamy said. 'Munster should be back next week, and with 'Wish' and 'Pez', he's only a young kid who hasn't had much first grade experience at all. But he's a good organiser and kicker. 'We'll see what we think is best for the team. 'Mun' will come back in and then we'll go from there. 'We probably won't recover completely because he was the Dally M player of the year last year. However long he's out for, we're going to miss him.'
