K2G
28-01-14, 10:10 PM
From Couriermail.com.au
(http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/gold-coast-hooker-beau-falloons-hamstring-injury-has-titans-in-hooking-crisis/story-e6freon6-1226812372702)
January 28, 2014 11:00PM
THE Titans are suffering a hooker crisis with Beau Falloon the latest No. 9 to go down in a position that's become the Gold Coast's poison chalice.
The Titans have no fully-fit hookers on their books with Matt Srama (shoulder), Sam Irwin (ankle) and Falloon (hamstring) on ice.
Falloon limped from yesterday's training session early with hamstring tightness while Bulldogs recruit Paul Carter, who's been training at dummy-half in preparation for the Auckland Nines, missed the hit-out with an ankle complaint.
Srama won't be available for round 1 selection as he continues his recovery from a shoulder reconstruction while Irwin is racing the clock to prove his fitness for Sunday week's first pre-season trial against the Warriors.
Utility Jamie Dowling, who's vying for a centre spot, was forced to deputise at dummy-half yesterday along with halfback hopeful Matt Beddow.
Titans medical staff are confident Falloon's injury is only minor and he will be available for the trials but it's an unwanted headache for coach John Cartwright who's hoping to find some certainty around a number of positions in his squad.
An intraclub trial at the weekend allowed Cartwright to run his eye over the entire roster but he is still undecided on who his first-choice back-rowers will be with Ben Ridge pressing his claims for a round 1 starting spot.
Ridge was a controversial selection over veteran forward Mark Minichiello early last year and is starting to find peak fitness again after recent ankle surgery.
The 24-year-old had a plate removed from the ankle he shattered in 2009. It was the fourth operation he's had since breaking the tibia and dislocating his left ankle.
"It's probably 80 per cent. I'm trying to get the range back but I'll probably never get the full range back," Ridge said of his ankle.
"It's a big mental hurdle you have to get over.
"The first game back you're a bit sketchy and not sure what you're doing."
Ridge said he drew plenty of confidence from his shock selection last year and he was hoping Cartwright looked favourably on him in the coming months
"It gave me a lot (of confidence). I've got to take that into this year and hope for the best," he said.
"I started well then I got injured and it wrecked my season a bit.
"It was a bit of a roller-coaster. Up and down and in and out of the squad.
"If I can stay injury-free hopefully I can stay there.
"I've got the green light to play in the trials so hopefully I can get a few minutes in there and be ready to kick off the season."
Prop Ryan James, who re-signed with the club last week for a further three years, missed yesterday's session because of back soreness.
http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/01/28/1226812/372145-5cf3c2ba-87f2-11e3-92e1-07d47f226b83.jpg
http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/01/28/1226812/372201-60ad29d2-87f2-11e3-92e1-07d47f226b83.jpg
(http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/gold-coast-hooker-beau-falloons-hamstring-injury-has-titans-in-hooking-crisis/story-e6freon6-1226812372702)
January 28, 2014 11:00PM
THE Titans are suffering a hooker crisis with Beau Falloon the latest No. 9 to go down in a position that's become the Gold Coast's poison chalice.
The Titans have no fully-fit hookers on their books with Matt Srama (shoulder), Sam Irwin (ankle) and Falloon (hamstring) on ice.
Falloon limped from yesterday's training session early with hamstring tightness while Bulldogs recruit Paul Carter, who's been training at dummy-half in preparation for the Auckland Nines, missed the hit-out with an ankle complaint.
Srama won't be available for round 1 selection as he continues his recovery from a shoulder reconstruction while Irwin is racing the clock to prove his fitness for Sunday week's first pre-season trial against the Warriors.
Utility Jamie Dowling, who's vying for a centre spot, was forced to deputise at dummy-half yesterday along with halfback hopeful Matt Beddow.
Titans medical staff are confident Falloon's injury is only minor and he will be available for the trials but it's an unwanted headache for coach John Cartwright who's hoping to find some certainty around a number of positions in his squad.
An intraclub trial at the weekend allowed Cartwright to run his eye over the entire roster but he is still undecided on who his first-choice back-rowers will be with Ben Ridge pressing his claims for a round 1 starting spot.
Ridge was a controversial selection over veteran forward Mark Minichiello early last year and is starting to find peak fitness again after recent ankle surgery.
The 24-year-old had a plate removed from the ankle he shattered in 2009. It was the fourth operation he's had since breaking the tibia and dislocating his left ankle.
"It's probably 80 per cent. I'm trying to get the range back but I'll probably never get the full range back," Ridge said of his ankle.
"It's a big mental hurdle you have to get over.
"The first game back you're a bit sketchy and not sure what you're doing."
Ridge said he drew plenty of confidence from his shock selection last year and he was hoping Cartwright looked favourably on him in the coming months
"It gave me a lot (of confidence). I've got to take that into this year and hope for the best," he said.
"I started well then I got injured and it wrecked my season a bit.
"It was a bit of a roller-coaster. Up and down and in and out of the squad.
"If I can stay injury-free hopefully I can stay there.
"I've got the green light to play in the trials so hopefully I can get a few minutes in there and be ready to kick off the season."
Prop Ryan James, who re-signed with the club last week for a further three years, missed yesterday's session because of back soreness.
http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/01/28/1226812/372145-5cf3c2ba-87f2-11e3-92e1-07d47f226b83.jpg
http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/01/28/1226812/372201-60ad29d2-87f2-11e3-92e1-07d47f226b83.jpg