What makes it worse is Ryan Sutton had a really good pre-season.
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He'd given himself the best possible chance to be part of the Canberra Raiders 17 for round one.
But a shoulder charge in the final minute of the Raiders' trial on Saturday means he'll miss that season opener against the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on March 13.
He's not just let himself down, but his teammates as well.
There's now going to be a fight for spots to face the Titans with not only Sutton out, but John Bateman (shoulder), Luke Bateman (knee) and Hudson Young (suspended) also unavailable.
It leaves the door open for Jack Murchie, JJ Collins and Kai O'Donnell to all press their claims for a bench spot, while Raiders coach Ricky Stuart could also opt for a utility back like Michael Oldfield.
Sutton could've had that spot. And he's vowed to repay his teammates when he's available again come round two.
He'll also spend the next few weeks training to ensure he doesn't do it again.
"I don't take anything for granted, but I've been really happy with myself in pre-season with the way I've approached myself," Sutton said.
"I took the first year as a learning curve and this year I've really got my feet set and it's just another disruption that I don't need.
"And it's not just for me it's for the team as well because we have got a few disruptions around the team with John being injured, Hudson being banned for another few weeks.
"I've not just let myself down I've let my teammates down. When I come back I'll be making sure that I make up for that."
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Sutton was confident whoever was named in the 17 would be able to do a job.
He said Murchie, Collins and O'Donnell had all had good pre-seasons and he was excited by the depth they had in the squad.
Most of the Raiders team looks settled, with the exception of right centre.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg hadn't decided on Tuesday whether he would stand down Scott yet over the seven charges he's facing, which includes two counts of assaulting a police officer.
Corey Horsburgh will shift to the new-look right edge in the second row, while Siliva Havili, Emre Guler and Dunamis Lui are set to be part of the middle rotation.
That could leave a spot for Murchie, Collins or O'Donnell - although Sutton said the use of Bailey Simonsson as a utility on the bench last season had also worked well for the Green Machine.
"All three of them have been training really well. I fully understand if any of those three fit in," Sutton said.
"He's been impressive Kai, I've been really impressed with him. He's come in like it's not his first full-time pre-season.
"The way he approaches every training session is really professional and he always wants to do extras. I can't speak highly enough of him."