The career of Melbourne Storm forward Ryan Hoffman appears to be over after scans revealed a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring.
The Storm said the injury usually had an eight-week recovery time but they were refusing to concede that Hoffman – who has announced his retirement at the end of the season – won’t play again.
Hoffman suffered the injury in the final minutes of Sunday’s 17-14 win over Cronulla at AAMI Park.
Storm football director Frank Ponissi said Hoffman would do everything he could to make himself available to pull on the purple jersey again.
“Whilst it will be difficult for Hoffy to return before the end of the season, we have no doubt he will do everything in his power to make that a possibility,” Ponissi said.
“Hoffy has shown nothing but class and professionalism throughout his 16 years at the highest level and there is no reason why this final month or so will be any different.”
Hoffman has played 267 games for Melbourne – the fourth most in Storm history behind Cameron Smith (378), Billy Slater (314) & Cooper Cronk (323).
He started his NRL career with Melbourne in 2003 and returned to the club this season for the third time after stints with Super League club Wigan and the Warriors.