Ray Stone has played his last NRL game for Parramatta with scans confirming he suffered a ruptured ACL while scoring his match-winning try against Melbourne.
After immediately fearing the worst, Eels officials confirmed on Monday that Stone would require surgery in coming days on his injured knee.
It marks a bittersweet end to Stone's time at the Eels, where he was well regarded for his no-fuss work ethic and versatility.
That was most evident in his final play on Saturday night, with the regular middle playing at centre and being the only man to chase through on an attempted Mitch Moses field goal.
The ball hit the upright, bounced back into Stone's hands and he was hurt as he stepped past Jahrome Hughes to score in golden point.
Stone has already signed with the Dolphins for next year, where he will again likely play as a back-row utility.
Meanwhile, his injury shapes as another blow to the hard-hit Eels.
There is some hope Ryan Matterson, after being hurt in round one, could return from a hamstring injury this week to replace Stone.
Winger Bailey Simonsson is in a battle to pass concussion protocols in order to face St George Illawarra on Sunday.
Given their shortages out wide, the Eels would likely need to blood an untested rookie if Simonnson does not return.
Fellow winger Haze Dunster remains out for the year with a knee injury while Maika Sivo is unlikely to be available until at least the midpoint of the season from his own ACL injury.
The Eels are hopeful Sean Russell could return to fix some of those issues within the next three weeks, after being left with a punctured lung and fractured rib after the opening round.
