Two games into his stint with the Bulldogs, Joe Stimson has been forced to the sidelines and has no idea when he will be able to play again.
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The COVID-19 crisis hasn't just stopped the NRL from playing, but has halted the Temora product chances of returning to the field any time soon.
Stimson injured his shoulder in the 24-16 loss to North Queensland last month, the final game before the competition was stopped indefinitely due to the international health crisis.
Needing surgery to fix damage to the front of the joint, the 24-year-old was booked in before the ban on elective surgery came into effect.
Missing out by two days, Stimson has been forced to play the waiting game with no idea when he will be able to take the next step to getting back onto the field.
"I was supposed to have surgery last Thursday but they closed non-essential surgeries on Tuesday," Stimson said. "I was filthy I couldn't get it done.
"Now I'm just waiting for when they open up surgeries again and I will go straight in."
Stimson had been carrying a problem at the back of his shoulder, but believes overcompensating has caused a bigger problem with the joint.
Now he's facing a six-month rehabilitation process he's unable to start.
"It's a two-stage surgery," Stimson said. "I have to do the front tear first and the labrum after the first one."
With so many restrictions in place due to the coronavirus crisis, Stimson has turned to golf.
It's something his injured shoulder can still handle.
"I've just been walking the dog and can still play golf surprisingly," he said.
"I'm trying to keep fit as much as I can, as I can still run, but it's when I'm in contact, tackling or putting my shoulder in an awkward position that it starts to hurt.
"I can do most things and have been running and doing a bit of gym as you don't know when it is all going to come back. Everyone is just trying to stay on top of it."
However after taking a significant pay cut, Stimson is hoping his teammates can get back onto the field after finding his feet at a new club.
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