Scott Prince's Injury

[DIEHARD]

Prince `injury factor'

THE Gold Coast Titans will meet with the NRL over the pre-game protocol for future double-headers, believing a disrupted warm-up on Friday night contributed to the injury to skipper Scott Prince.

The Coast's one point win over the Bulldogs came at a heavy cost, with Prince and utility Luke O'Dwyer suffering hamstring tears.

Titans general manager of football Scott Clark yesterday said the club was disappointed with the way players were forced to prepare for the Suncorp Stadium blockbuster.

The Gold Coast didn't make it on the field until nearly 9pm after the Broncos' loss against the Panthers in the first game of the night.

"There was no on-field warm-up so it wasn't an ideal preparation," said Clark.

"We had to warm-up in the Penrith shed. They also couldn't give us a start time.

"The boys had warmed-up and then they had to have a long spell because all they could tell us was that we would get the two-minute bell, six minutes after full-time of the other game.

"But there was no way of really knowing what time the other game was going to finish because of time off for injuries and the like."

The Titans believe the irregular warm-up is partly to blame for halfback Prince tearing his hamstring during a routine kick down field and limping off mid-way though the first half.

Clark said he would seek a meeting with NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley to discuss the club's concerns.

"We couldn't even watch the (Broncos v Penrith) game," said Clark.

"There wasn't any seats and all they said was there was a television in the Penrith shed that we could go watch."

Prince and O'Dwyer will both go for scans today, but in a boost for the Titans, the damage is not as severe as initially feared.

While early estimates had Prince sidelined anywhere from four to eight weeks, the crafty No.7 could miss as little as one match.

"It is not as bad as we first thought," said Clark.

"He may be a chance of only missing one game, with the bye next weekend.

"He could even be back for the Tigers game at this stage.

"Chalky (O'Dwyer) is the same, he will only miss the one game I would say."

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au

[karnage]

Good news.

[karnage]

You read the Axe's clomumn in the Sunday Mail?? Wants the double header fixture moved to a Sunday arvo. Would probably make sense.

[eelectrica]

Totally agree with playing the game Sunday. But the TV situation being what it is I doubt it would happen.
Logically Fox covers the first game as part of there regular Sunday package, then nine covers the second, but I doubt it'll happen.

[meter maid]

The whole NRL needs an overhaul! That includes the pathetic referees that week in, week out make the WORST decisions......effectively deciding each teams fate. Why are they the ?ntouchables"?

[DIEHARD]

Prince may return next week, say Titans

Injured Gold Coast Titans playmaker Scott Prince may only miss one NRL match after receiving encouraging scan results on his hamstring on Tuesday.

It was initially feared Prince could miss up to six weeks after he limped off in the first half of last round's 25-24 NRL victory over the Bulldogs.

However, Titans coach John Cartwright was hopeful Prince would make his NRL comeback against the Wests Tigers in a fortnight's time following their next round bye after scans revealed only a minor right hamstring tear.

Advertisement: Story continues belowAs expected, Prince was a notable absentee when Cartwright named an extended 18-strong squad for the Gold Coast's Skilled Park clash with Newcastle on Sunday.

But experienced trio Preston Campbell, Luke Bailey and Ashley Harrison were injected into the Gold Coast squad on Tuesday.

However, they are also recovering from injury and must still prove their fitness by the end of the week in order to run out against the Knights.

Campbell (heel), Bailey (ankle) and Harrison (ribs) all missed last Friday night's 25-24 win over the Bulldogs.

If passed fit, Campbell will slot into the halfback spot for Prince while Harrison and Bailey have been named in the starting forward pack.

Cartwright was keeping his fingers crossed despite Campbell and Bailey being unable to train with the main squad so far this week.

"We've just got a bit of time on our hands," said Cartwright.

"They'll train on Thursday and if we can get them through the session on Thursday we'll have a better idea then."

With utility Luke O'Dwyer (hamstring) also on the injury list, Kayne Lawton has been added to an extended five-man bench alongside young forwards Bodene Thompson and Ryan James.

The fourth-placed Titans registered a 38-36 win over the Knights in Newcastle (12th spot) the last time the teams met this season.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Great news about our Scott Prince! We do not want to lose him for extended periods!

[Mushi]

Def great news!!! I really want him back for the broncos game at home so its sounding very positive!!! yay! I'm sure he will be eager to play against his old team down in campbelltown too!

[DIEHARD]

Yea that Broncos game is coming sooner than we all think!

He needs a run under his belt before that game.