Finals Week 1: Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos

[Queenslander]

NRL finals hunt is over for Karmichael

Monday, September 3, 2007 - 6:43 PM

Brisbane fullback Karmichael Hunt's bold bid to play in the NRL finals and hold his Test No.1 jumper is over.

New scans on the Broncos star's torn hamstring delivered only bad news for the 20-year-old on Monday, who had been desperate to help an injury-ravaged Brisbane.

"The scans look better but just not good enough to risk bringing him back," said Broncos physiotherapist Rob Godbolt.

"The injury is healing but not sufficiently enough to take part in the finals series.

"It really is going to take the off-season to fully recover and to give him the best chance of not having recurring problems next year."

Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen's Test prospects were boosted after Hunt was ruled out for the rest of the season, although Parramatta sensation Jarryd Hayne's recent form has put pressure on Kangaroo selectors to consider him for the Kiwi Test in October in Wellington.

Hunt, who had two failed comeback attempts, was devastated.

"I'm very upset I won't be able to play again this year," he said.

"I was very keen to come back as soon as possible, especially with the injury crisis the team has been going through in the second half of this season.

"But obviously the scans don't look as good as I had hoped.

"I just have to be patient and continue with my rehabilitation now to make sure I am ready to go in 2008."

Brisbane Test hooker and utility Shaun Berrigan will see a specialist on Tuesday for an updated report after undergoing extensive facial surgery early last month.

But if he does get a medical clearance to play, it would not be until next weekend.

In the meantime, Brisbane will build up for Sunday's finals clash with minor premiers Melbourne with injury clouds over classy centre Justin Hodges (quad cork) and international Tonie Carroll (shoulder).

They will have to quickly forget all about Sunday's demoralising 68-22 loss to Parramatta and focus on a game plan to avoid a heavy loss to Melbourne, who closed out the regular season by putting 50 points on the Titans.

"Anything can happen on the day - that's the beauty of finals football," captain Petero Civoniceva said.

Civoniceva, along with veteran Brad Thorn, Berrigan, Brent Tate and Dane Carlaw, are all leaving the club at the end of the season.

The Broncos will be digging deep to ensure a fitting farewell for their departing teammates.

Source: AAP

[jenny]

Take a punt on me
Matt Marshall
September 04,

BRISBANE trump card Shaun Berrigan will consult a specialist today in a desperate bid to play in Sunday's do-or-die qualifying final against minor premiers Melbourne.

The 2006 Clive Churchill medallist had been ruled out for the season after suffering multiple face fractures in round 20, but an updated diagnosis has now provided a glimmer of hope.

The Storm's chief destroyer in last year's grand final said last night he was cautiously confident of being given the green light to make a shock return.

"I've got my fingers crossed," Berrigan said.

"It feels good. There's just a little numbness on my face, but it feels OK.

"There are a lot of ifs and buts ? I've got no idea yet, it might depend how far the boys go. I haven't played for a while but I've had a few hitouts.

"My chances improve each week and I've kept training with the boys."

Berrigan, who will play with Hull in the English Super League next season, had plates inserted in his face to mend fractures to his eye socket and cheekbone after a knock against the Sharks.

He was initially ruled out for three months but revised medical reports raised hopes he could return much sooner.

"I'm not going to take any ridiculous risks. The doctor said it's not the kind of injury you want to have operated on again," Berrigan said.

"But the last time I saw him he said it takes four weeks for the bone to grow back and another two weeks for it to harden so it's a six to eight week injury. We are getting close to six now."

News of Berrigan's possible return failed to dampen the mood in Melbourne's bunker yesterday after Craig Bellamy's charges rounded out their finals preparations with a stampeding win over the Titans on Sunday night.

Storm fullback Billy Slater did however admit Berrigan's presence would pose a definite threat to last year's runners-up.

"Berrigan's a great player, he's enthusiastic and he's hard to pull down," Slater said.

"He'll definitely help the Broncos if he plays and I reckon Michael Ennis after his first game back last week will help them as well."

Berrigan's possible return comes after it was confirmed yesterday the seasons of fullback Karmichael Hunt and prop David Taylor (broken thumb) are over. Hunt's hamstring injury is worse than first feared.
COURIER MAIL

[Super Cronk]

I have a feeling that Hunt may be a late inclusion in the side this week.

[Poida]

Just to take a wild punt Broncos by 2.

[RLfan]

Just to take a wild punt Broncos by 2.

I believe they are paying $5.50 just to win, more if you pick them 1-12.

[HodgoBerro]

Berrigan was doing contact work this morning at training, I'm not gonna be too surprised if he's the LATE inclusion.

[jenny]

Berrigan rules out surprise return


September 04, 2007

SHAUN Berrigan has bowed to medical warnings he could suffer serious facial damage if he made an unscheduled comeback in Sunday's NRL qualifying final against Melbourne Storm.

The Brisbane Broncos utility was prepared play until he spoke to his specialist today but will now wait and hope the injury-ravaged premiers can keep their title defence alive another week.

Berrigan, who sustained multiple facial fractures requiring extensive surgery while playing against Manly early last month, was hoping for a clearance to take on Storm.

"I saw the specialist this morning and he advised me against playing," said Berrigan after training with the side today.

"If the boys get through I'll play the following week.

"It was a pretty bad break and I'm happy I'm still a chance to play next week.

"I've got my fingers crossed the boys play well this weekend.

"That would be six weeks and the specialist said if anything happened then it would be just bad luck."

Hull-bound Berrigan had plates inserted in his face to mend fractures to his eye socket and cheekbone with the initial prognosis ruling him out for 12 weeks.

The bone in his cheek takes four weeks to heal and another two weeks to strengthen.

Brisbane, without a number of its strike players including Darren Lockyer and Brent Tate, have missed Berrigan's ability to trouble sides on the edge of the ruck and his strong defence.



AAP

[Super Cronk]

well according to an article today on a web site Berrigan is a good chance of playing, so no surprise if he is playing at all.

But Bennet and the broncos will keep saying that Hunt is out and then include him at the very last minute.

[Queenslander]

Brisbane Side:
1. Justin Hodges
2. Steve Michaels
3. Nick Emmett
4. Joel Moon
5. Darius Boyd
6. Greg Eastwood
7. Shane Perry
8. Dane Carlaw
9. Mick Roberts
10. Petero Civoniceva ?
11. Corey Parker
12. Brad Thorn
13. Tonie Carroll

Reserves:

14. Sam Thaiday
15. Ben Hannant
16. Nick Kenny
17. Ian Lacey

[Super Cronk]

Hodges is playing??? Im shocked.....*cough*

Ill be saying the same thing on sunday when hunt is included in the team

[RLfan]

To be honest I can see Berrigan but not Hunt playing.

[HodgoBerro]

i see neither now

karmichael was seen wearing his casuals today when the rest of team trained this morning

as for berro why would they risk him playing and sustaining a serious facial injury?

[Super Cronk]

Players have played injured ever since rugby league was invented...it wouldnt be out of the ordinary for a player to risk injury.

[Capital_Shark]

as for berro why would they risk him playing and sustaining a serious facial injury?

Cause its some Pommy team's problem next year?

[Kelvinator]

that's what i said in another post when you said it was risky hodgoberro. risky for who?? it won't worry the broncos if he's out for the next 5 years

on the brighter side, he can't do anymore damage to he's teeth. lol