Edwards was forced from the ground with what coach Steve Kidd described as “pretty bad ligament damage to his ankle” and Worboys battled to the end with a suspected broken thumb in the Goannas 10-16 loss to South Newcastle.

Kidd said Edwards injury through the team’s rotations from the bench about and hooker Oliver Powell stood up to the challenge playing the full 80 minutes.

“Ollie had a massive game. He played 80 minutes at hooker and along with Marv Filipo was probably our best,” he said.

“Cal Edwards went off with what looks like pretty bad ligament damage to his ankle. So that through us around a bit with him moving from the back.

“It was pretty average conditions, it wasn’t a bad game of footy considering the conditions. They probably just handled it a bit better than us.

“There were two tries off kicks and three from dummy-half. It was a tough slog there wasn’t much footy played.

“We were a little bit unlucky there was probably a try in there that I’m pretty sure was a dropped ball at the play the ball, so it will be something I look at on the tape and maybe question.”

Kidd said he continued to be pleased with his players’ effort and ability to match it with the best teams in the league.

“The guys have been pretty good the last five or so weeks. The only game we were disappointing in was the last time we played Souths.

“We haven’t got the wins we probably should.

“We’ve got plenty of injuries and it’s testing our depth. Our blokes coming up have been playing good footy.

“There’s still plenty of positives and hopefully we can string a couple of wins together now and cement our spot in the top five.”

The Goannas have Western Suburbs at home on Saturday and will be without Worboys and Edwards.

“It will test our depth in the next few weeks but that’s footy,” Kidd said.

“Jake McNamarra should be returning, whether he plays in the halves or fullback we’ll have to decide.

“We’ve got Brett Stevens in reserve grade who can come and do a job and young Logan Edwards has been knocking on the door.

“He has been out injured for the last couple of weeks, but he has been pretty much outstanding in reserve grade.

“We just need to come up with the right mix.

“It’s been our outside back, halves and hookers who have been getting the injuries. We’ve built some depth, but having six or eight players out at any time is going to hurt any team. 

“We’ve been competing very well and the young fellas coming up have done a good job.

“We need a couple of wins in the next few weeks to make sure we stay in that top five and make the semis.”