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(http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19823762-23214,00.html)
Barrett in but Gasnier out
By Josh Massoud
July 18, 2006
AN injury curse continued to haunt St George-Illawarra yesterday, with Mark Gasnier diagnosed with a calf tear just as Trent Barrett eyed his long-awaited return from suspension.
News that Gasnier and halfback Mathew Head could both miss this Sunday's showdown against Canberra tempered the sight of a refreshed Dragons skipper powering through training runs at Oki Jubilee Stadium. In his farewell season at the club, Barrett was ousted for six weeks in May when after-the-fact video footage revealed him striking Newcastle wing Brian Carney with an elbow.
During his long stint on the sidelines, the Wigan-bound 28-year-old caught a glimpse of his NRL mortality as the Dragons dropped only one game without him.
It was an unnerving sight that Barrett yesterday declared would push him harder than ever to "finish on a high."
"It's my last year in the NRL and that suspension was the last thing I was looking for," he said.
"It hits home when I think there's only seven weeks of the regular season to go and after that you don't know what's going to happen. It's certainly gone very quickly."
Given the Dragons' good form in his absence, Barrett will be unleashed on the Raiders with no lingering resentment against Channel 9 employee Rowan Carroll, who volunteered the damning footage.
"I'm over it now," Barrett said.
"You do the crime, you do the time - that's what they say.
"It's been a lot easier to take because the boys have been winning."
Head was excited about renewing acquaintances with Barrett after combining for just 20 minutes this season.
"I can't wait to play with him," Head said. "If there's any doubts I suppose I wouldn't play but I can't see there being any problem."
Dragons coach Nathan Brown said Head's availability would depend on doctors' advice.
"If there's a risk of long-term injury, I won't risk him at this time of the year," Brown said.
Of equal concern is Gasnier's calf muscle tear, sustained in the epic duel with the Bulldogs on Friday night.
The injury was cruel irony for Brown who offered to give his Origin star the night off.
"The doc has been saying 'I told you so'," Brown said.
"Playing so many games just wears him down."
A final decision on Gasnier's fitness will be made on Thursday, when he and the Dragons' other Origin players return from an enforced break.
The Daily Telegraph
Barrett in but Gasnier out
By Josh Massoud
July 18, 2006
AN injury curse continued to haunt St George-Illawarra yesterday, with Mark Gasnier diagnosed with a calf tear just as Trent Barrett eyed his long-awaited return from suspension.
News that Gasnier and halfback Mathew Head could both miss this Sunday's showdown against Canberra tempered the sight of a refreshed Dragons skipper powering through training runs at Oki Jubilee Stadium. In his farewell season at the club, Barrett was ousted for six weeks in May when after-the-fact video footage revealed him striking Newcastle wing Brian Carney with an elbow.
During his long stint on the sidelines, the Wigan-bound 28-year-old caught a glimpse of his NRL mortality as the Dragons dropped only one game without him.
It was an unnerving sight that Barrett yesterday declared would push him harder than ever to "finish on a high."
"It's my last year in the NRL and that suspension was the last thing I was looking for," he said.
"It hits home when I think there's only seven weeks of the regular season to go and after that you don't know what's going to happen. It's certainly gone very quickly."
Given the Dragons' good form in his absence, Barrett will be unleashed on the Raiders with no lingering resentment against Channel 9 employee Rowan Carroll, who volunteered the damning footage.
"I'm over it now," Barrett said.
"You do the crime, you do the time - that's what they say.
"It's been a lot easier to take because the boys have been winning."
Head was excited about renewing acquaintances with Barrett after combining for just 20 minutes this season.
"I can't wait to play with him," Head said. "If there's any doubts I suppose I wouldn't play but I can't see there being any problem."
Dragons coach Nathan Brown said Head's availability would depend on doctors' advice.
"If there's a risk of long-term injury, I won't risk him at this time of the year," Brown said.
Of equal concern is Gasnier's calf muscle tear, sustained in the epic duel with the Bulldogs on Friday night.
The injury was cruel irony for Brown who offered to give his Origin star the night off.
"The doc has been saying 'I told you so'," Brown said.
"Playing so many games just wears him down."
A final decision on Gasnier's fitness will be made on Thursday, when he and the Dragons' other Origin players return from an enforced break.
The Daily Telegraph
