Cameron Ciraldo's brave comeback

[Pumba]

Cameron Ciraldo's brave comeback
BY BRETT KEEBLE

BRAVE-HEARTED Knights forward Cameron Ciraldo has been cleared to play rugby league again, only five months after a sickening ankle injury that almost ended his career.

Now he just needs to find a game to play in as he is off contract at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old back-rower's playing future hung in the balance when he was stretchered off Toyota Stadium with a dislocated right ankle and broken fibula suffered during Newcastle's 24-12 victory over his former club Cronulla on March 23.

Doctors inserted metal plates and screws and used "tightrope fixation" surgery to put his shattered lower leg back together. Today, after months of painful and painstaking rehabilitation, he will rejoin his teammates for his first session of full training.

"[Knights medical officer] Neil Halpin told me the other day I'm good to go, whatever grade or wherever that is, so if the Knights want me to play, I'm cleared," Ciraldo said.

"I could have got cleared two weeks ago if one of the cracks had healed a bit better, but it's almost five months exactly.

"I'm really grateful to Neil and the surgeon who did the operation, and Broughy [Knights rehabilitation manager Adrian Brough] and all the physios and everyone here that've helped me. I'll be forever thankful to them.

"There's been a lot of hard work but it could have been a lot worse. Neil said if it hadn't recovered properly, I might not have played again, so to be cleared in five months is unreal."

Ciraldo would have played for South Newcastle in the Newcastle Rugby League competition if he was cleared a fortnight ago, but the Lions are now enjoying their off-season break.

There had been speculation he could have played for South's minor

Herald

 

[Jono078]

I'm not doctor and I don't know what his current condition is.

But surely it will be smart for him to wait til next year, let the leg heal strengthen properly and don't rush the comeback.

 

[Stranger]

I'm not doctor and I don't know what his current condition is.

But surely it will be smart for him to wait til next year, let the leg heal strengthen properly and don't rush the comeback.

He might not have a team to play for next year.

 

[Nuke]

I'd re-sign him if I had any say. He was fantastic in his games at the beginning of this season. Even if he was only offered a one-year deal for next season to see how he recovers and see how he goes. If he's coming along nicely, then extend his deal. If he's struggling and doesn't look like he'll regain his form or confidence, then don't re-sign him for 2011.

 

[Alex28]

Surely he is surplus to our requirements...

 

[Rolla]

Surely he is surplus to our requirements...

Agreed, and you never fully recover from those injuries

 

[otori]

Surely he is surplus to our requirements...

I disagree. I'd sign him to a one year contract if he wants to stay because I'd rather have Ciraldo playing second rower off the bench than Wes or Karawana. We haven't signed anyone either.

 

[Pika]

Agreed, and you never fully recover from those injuries

Ricky Stewart kinda bounced back from a very similar injury.....

 

[macavity]

Scott Prince?

 

[Karmawave]

Ricky Stewart kinda bounced back from a very similar injury.....

Scott Prince?

I take your point, however, surely the positions and the style of football Stuart and Prince play, is different enough to a physical second row forward such as Ciraldo to cast serious doubts.

Stuart especially in his latter career was simply a stand and pass and kick organiser ( albeit a very good one ).

If Ciraldo had shown consistently over the years he is good enough for this level, fair enough.

He hasn't. He has strung together half a dozen solid games earlier this season, and the rest of his career has been a write off.

I wouldn't be re-signing him. If I was going to, I'd have to realise it would be for size alone, and not talent.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

I know emotion should have nothing to do with it but IMO it would be pretty sh*tty of the knights to cut him. Give him a 2 year deal with the 2nd year in the clubs favour, heavily incentive based.

 

[antonius]

I take your point, however, surely the positions and the style of football Stuart and Prince play, is different enough to a physical second row forward such as Ciraldo to cast serious doubts.

Stuart especially in his latter career was simply a stand and pass and kick organiser ( albeit a very good one ).

If Ciraldo had shown consistently over the years he is good enough for this level, fair enough.

He hasn't. He has strung together half a dozen solid games earlier this season, and the rest of his career has been a write off.

I wouldn't be re-signing him. If I was going to, I'd have to realise it would be for size alone, and not talent.

Very similar injury to Abrahams, He's a backrower, and we all know what happened when he came back too quickly. Good to see Abes doing well at Kurri now though.

 

[perverse]

i'd give him another crack at minimum wage... maybe even 2nd tier contract. no real harm done to the salary cap. every team needs it's plodders regardless.

if he can get a better deal elsewhere then power to him.

 

[Johns Magic]

I think he'll be offered the minimum wage and he'll be grateful for the opportunity.

 

[Hanscholo]

I'm not doctor and I don't know what his current condition is.

But surely it will be smart for him to wait til next year, let the leg heal strengthen properly and don't rush the comeback.

The sad thing is, id say he feels obliged to play again because clearly we arent offering him a deal. If we were, then im sure we would have told him to take the rest of the season off. I think we should be offering this guy a deal, his form was good enough to show us he had something and he has the physical stature to be successful. It isnt like we have forwards coming out of our ears either.

 

[Serc]

I'm thinking what will happen is similar to what JM suggests...and I'm happy enough with that too

 

[aqua_duck]

minimum wage contract sounds good to me, he's only 24 and has the perfect physique for a modern day backrower

 

[Bring it home Knights]

I remember reading in the paper a nuber of months ago that he said he has a mortgage and a family to support, so when he comes back from the injury he is not keen to sign a low money contract.

 

[Rolla]

I remember reading in the paper a nuber of months ago that he said he has a mortgage and a family to support, so when he comes back from the injury he is not keen to sign a low money contract.

Thats all well and good but he may not have a choice. Who knows how he will come back? and to be honest he wasnt really demanding much more before the injury.

The guys mentioned in this thread are a different class to ciraldo. Stuart could afford to be below his best game after his injury and still be a great player...Prince for mine is the worlds best player and has bounced back brilliantly. Hopefully cam isnt hindered to much but a club would be mad to risk decent coin.

 

[Alex28]

I know emotion should have nothing to do with it but IMO it would be pretty sh*tty of the knights to cut him. Give him a 2 year deal with the 2nd year in the clubs favour, heavily incentive based.

So you'd give him a decent sized contract for the first year after a pretty major injury because not doing so would be a "pretty sh*tty thing to do". Glad you aren't the CEO!

Are we in the business of trying to win a premiership, or are we a charity? He is a player in a position we have a lot of depth in. We have got along fine without him this season and we will the next. We just don't need him, and giving him a charity contract and keeping him in the real NRL isn't going to help his prospects any either.