http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/h...lem-for-dragons/2007/01/13/1168105227821.html
Hornby ready, but Head start poses a problem for Dragons
Adrian Proszenko
January 14, 2007
ST GEORGE Illawarra playmaker Mathew Head's chances of regaining the No.7 jersey next season have suffered a double blow after he was rated unlikely to be fit for the start of the season following teammate Ben Hornby's permanent shift into the halves.
Head, who had surgery on his troublesome right knee in October, was hopeful of recovering in time for the Dragons' opening clash against the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium.
Although he has achieved his main rehabilitation goal of running last week for the first time since surgery, Dragons medical staff aren't expecting Head to be available until round five of the season.
"We're not expecting Heady to be fit [for round one], the doctors are talking about mid-April before he is 100 per cent right to go," coach Nathan Brown said.
"He's set a target of getting back earlier and if that's achieved, that would be great.
"That's good, because he's putting himself under some pressure."
Another challenge for Head, whose knee injuries restricted him to 11 first-grade appearances last season, is Brown's decision to shift Hornby from his customary position of fullback into the halves on a full-time basis.
Such was Hornby's success filling in at halfback during Head's injury-enforced absence, the utility played a Test for the Kangaroos in the position during the Tri-Nations last year.
"I see Hornby more as a halfback/five-eighth than a fullback," Brown said. "Benny will start the season at halfback and Heady will come back at some stage.
"We know Benny is going to be fit for the start of the year and has played mostly halfback for the club in the past two years because of Heady's unfortunate injuries.
"That challenge is another reason for Heady to work hard.
"He will take a few games to get going and when he does reach full fitness and is playing really well, we've got a decision to make."
While Hornby is set to get first crack at teaming up with centre-cum-pivot Mark Gasnier in 2007, Head hasn't ruled out coming back in time to mount a late challenge for the halfback spot for the season opener against the Titans.
"It's a goal I've set myself," Head said. "I know what my body is like and I know what I need to do to get back, so I'm hopeful for round one.
"Everything's going according to plan, but there's a lot more work to do."
The 24-year-old said it would be difficult to unseat Hornby, but the challenge provided him with extra motivation during his rehabilitation.
"It's something I spoke to Browny about and I feel I play and train my best when I'm up against competition," he said.
"Benny is a great player and he's gone good at halfback for us, so it's a tough challenge for me but one I hope to get over.
"But I need to get my knee right first, and then worry about the footy."
Head said he was virtually playing on one leg during the latter half of 2006 but was confident he wouldn't be hampered by further knee problems after a successful operation.
"At times it was one of those things that was very frustrating and miserable," he said of his lack of mobility last year.
"Once I got out on the field I tried to not think about the knee and I think the results showed I had a little bit of trouble there. I'm hopeful that's all behind me now."
Source: The Sun-Herald
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