Stunned by Tuesday’s revelation that veteran five-eighth Jarrod Mullen had been provisionally suspended after testing positive to an anabolic steroid, Newcastle’s players received a further shock when they learned that heavyweight forward Pauli Pauli had suffered a dislocated hip in a car crash on Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old, driving a Subaru Liberty involved in the multi-car accident north of Sydney, was injured alongside seven adults and two children, police said.

He was in Gosford Hospital on Thursday in a stable condition, accompanied by Knights staff members, and faces an indefinite stretch on the sidelines.

The dramas involving Mullen and Pauli came just days after it was revealed that Newcastle front-rower Korbin Sims was hoping to secure a release to join Brisbane.

Brown said he had “been through better times and been through a lot worse times” in the 14-year coaching career. He was confident his players would cope and the emotion-charged situation would not distract them from the task of climbing the NRL ladder after back-to-back wooden spoons.

“We trained today, and we trained really, really well,’’ Brown said.

“Obviously there are plenty of guys that have got disappointment for mates for a number of reasons … Mullo and Pauli are in different situations, but the guys feel for both guys.

“But we’ll support them through it. Football clubs go through these things and we’re in a far better situation than we were this time last year, so that’s the main thing.

“We just need to knuckle down and move forward … the way we trained today was great, and the guys will continue to train well.’’

Brown said it was too early to say how long Pauli, who played 15 games for Newcastle last season, would be out of commission. 

“I’m sure he’s a little bruised, but he’ll be fine and his welfare is important to us ... football clubs are like families,’’ Brown said.

“All the guys are obviously caring for Pauli, but some guys are more close to Pauli than others. 

“I’m sure he’ll get lots of visitors.’’

The coach said he had spoken to Mullen and he would leave it to the Newcastle’s longest-serving current player to publicly explain how he had come to test positive to Drostanolone, a banned substance commonly used by bodybuilders.

“I’m sure Jarrod will address all you [media] when he’s ready to do that,’’ Brown said.

“Whether that’s in a day, or two, or 10, I don’t know. 

“But I’d rather our conversation stays private.’’

Brown said Mullen’s welfare is “everyone’s main concern – not how it’s happened or why it’s happened’’.

He said the former NSW Origin representative had been receiving plenty of moral support but would “work out who his friends are” in the months ahead, “when things do get a little bit more lonely’’.

He did not envisage Newcastle reinforcing their roster “in the short term”.

With regards to Sims, the 25-year-old was initially linked to Brisbane, but there has since been speculation that South Sydney and St George Illawarra are interested. 

It remains to be seen if any of those clubs can get close to matching Sims’ 2017 contract with Newcastle, which is reportedly worth in the vicinity of $400,000.

“There’s been a lot written, but at the moment, Korbin is here,’’ Brown said.

“But whether that changes or not, I’m not sure.’’