Baz Berrigan out for 6-8 weeks!

[Ghoulies]

Just heard on 7 news that B Berrigan will be out for 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery for a severely corked thigh.

 

[gcbronco]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15819784-23214,00.html


BRISBANE Broncos hooker Barry Berrigan has had emergency surgery on a calf injury and is facing up to two months on the sidelines.

Berrigan corked his calf in Brisbane's 22-10 win over the Sharks yesterday which progressed to compartment syndrome.


Leading Brisbane specialist Dr Peter Meyers performed decompression surgery on Berrigan's calf today after the injury worsened overnight.

At this stage Berrigan is not expected to play for six to eight weeks.

Utility Casey McGuire, who is Queensland's 18th man for tomorrow night's Origin decider, is likely to fill in at hooker.

Michael Ryan, playing for the Toowoomba Clydesdales in the Queensland Cup, is another alternative as is Neville Costigan.

 

[Ghoulies]

We'll either see...

9. McGuire
14. Barnes

or

9. Ryan
14. McGuire

My preference would be to throw Barnes to hooker and leave Casey on the bench, but I doubt Bennett sees it that way.

 

[Big Pete]

Damn now that is a big loss.

Luckily we have some depth in that department, but in saying that hope for a speedy recovery Barry.

 

[ethos]

That's really unfortunate for Barry, he's been going terrific.

We need a specialist hooker to play in such a vital position. No Costigan. No McGuire. Either Mick Ryan or Berrick Barnes IMO. I've seen what Berrick can do out of hooker and he is lethal, it's like having at extra playmaker out there. If he wasn't leaving next year I'd put him straight in for sure. But with Barnes leaving, we'd want to give Ryan a chance or risk losing him aswell.

A toss of the coin...

 

[Kiwi]

We'll either see...

9. McGuire
14. Barnes

or

9. Ryan
14. McGuire

My preference would be to throw Barnes to hooker and leave Casey on the bench, but I doubt Bennett sees it that way.

Barnes wont get the job, and shouldn't. Ryan or McGuire will get the nod, my choice would be McGuire, with Costigan coming off the bench.

 

[Ghoulies]

So do you mean we should bring Costigan off the bench to play hooker when McGuire is off? If so, I can't agree. Costigan is atrocius at hooker, as demonstrated last season, and should only be used as a backrower/lock.

I know why some people would prefer to leave Barnes, but as ethos said, we need a specialist hooker, and if we're after immediate success Barnes is the best option.

 

[Kiwi]

So do you mean we should bring Costigan off the bench to play hooker when McGuire is off? If so, I can't agree. Costigan is atrocius at hooker, as demonstrated last season, and should only be used as a backrower/lock.

I know why some people would prefer to leave Barnes, but as ethos said, we need a specialist hooker, and if we're after immediate success Barnes is the best option.

Well when Baz was out injured earlier this year, McGuire and Costigan shared the role with great success. As for Barnes, if you are talking "specialist" hooker, then you should be talking Ryan over a halfback in Barnes don't you think?

 

[Ghoulies]

IMO Barnes has trained enough at hooker to make him just as effective as Ryan, and he also gives us the advantage of a 3rd playmaker to ease the pressure off Locky and Seymour.

edit - 1000th post. Go me!

 

[Meanie]

They'll either give Ryan or McGuire a go, if it's McGuire then Barnes might find himself in Casey's utility spot for the rest of the year.

 

[icewind]

damn. bazza's been in great form too. oh well 6 weeks will leave him 3 games before the finals to get back into form. should be feeling nice and fresh then tho.

 

[salivor]

I'd give the nod to Ryan or Barnes, I'd much rather keep McGuire coming off the bench for impact. Not to mention that I don't rate Costigan as a dummy half, I'd much rather he sticks to being the damaging back rower that he is.

And why do you just get that feeling that our good run with injuries has run out?

 

[Kiwi]

I would rather the Broncos use Ryan over Barnes. We wont have Barnes next year, lets use Ryan who may stick around.

 

[Mr Saab]

massive loss for brisbane. More than people realise.
Lucky its only 6 weeks.
McGuire will play hooker with barnes (casey starting)

 

[broncoman]

yeh a big loss, hes been outstanding this year...

i really really really want to see Micky Ryan given a go, the only time ive seen him play this year was Towoomba against Tweed Heads and he scored 2 excellent tries and played brilliantly. McGuire is doing great coming off the bench, if it was only a week or two id say Casey could do it and have Barnes on the bench, but due to the length weare better off with a specialist...

 

[pennywisealfie]

f**k, barry rules, big big loss, most underated player in our team.

 

[CAPSISCOOL]

If Cameron Smith was injured, Berrigan would just about have been the next in line. Gets through a mountain of work and is very smart around the fringes. Big loss....

 

[Big Pete]

I would've thought PJ Marsh > Barry Berrigan but that's only because Marsh has got Origin experience.

 

[lotti]

oh good then the game against the Storm will be an enjoyable one to be at.

 

[Broncodroid]

My preference is to bring in Michael Ryan. McGuire is serving as brilliantly from the bench in his role he does well.