Doug Strang medallist Michael Newton's season could be over.
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Newton, who turned 32 last weekend, is believed to have torn his pectoral muscle at the nine-minute mark of the first term in Saturday's 23.14 (152) to 19.8 (122) win over Lavington.
The league's best player was set to claim a mark when rangy Panther Nick Meredith just touched the ball with his outstretched hand.
Newton grabbed the ball, but Meredith quickly rebounded and produced a strong legal tackle.
Newton was left on the ground in agony, clutching his right bicep.
He slowly made his way to the bench and then to the dressing rooms, but returned to sit on the bench, favouring his right side.
"That's what it feels like (a torn pectoral), it's pretty local (the pain in that area), my shoulder's fine, it's definitely pec," he said.
That's what it feels like (a torn pectoral), it's pretty local (the pain), my shoulder's fine.
- Michael Newton
If it's a torn pectoral muscle, there's every chance Newton won't play again in 2019.
A number of NRL players have suffered the injury in recent years and didn't play again in that season.
Meanwhile, fellow gun Matt Kelly injured his right knee when he was slung heavily into the ground on the boundary just before half-time.
"The knee pushed into the ground, but it's alright, it's not a bad injury," he said.
The seemingly serious injury to Newton, in particular, took the shine off the win, which highlighted the terrific ball use ability.
It's extremely rare to kick 42 goals in a match and if that's what we can expect if they meet in finals, it will be riveting.
The Pies now meet Albury in the grand final re-match on Saturday.
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