Deacon to miss World Club Challenge

[DrewBeliever]

Bradford Bulls have been dealt a major blow ahead of the World Club Championship against Penrith Panthers with the news that scrum half Paul Deacon has been ruled out for six weeks with an eye injury.
The GB International was forced off early in the second half of Sundays 56-18 friendly win over Castleford after taking a stray finger to his eye. Initially it was thought that he had avoided any major damage, but further checks have discovered a slight detachment of his retina.

He is to have an operation and will be sidelined for around six weeks, ruling him out of the clash with Penrith and the start of the Super League season.

Captain Robbie Paul is also likely to miss that game as he recovers from a broken arm but Noble is confident that both Karl Pratt and Toa Kohe-Love will both be fit for the game.

Bet you lot are happy, it's a huge blow to the Bulls.

 

[choc_soldier]

We could be without Girdler and Campbell too... if true, that will even things up a bit.

It is a huge blow to the Bulls, but you will still make it a tough contest. You are by no means out of it...

 

[The Observer]

With Deacon out, Bradford will probably start GB international Karl Pratt at halfback with young gun Chris Bridge on the bench.

However, if the Panthers lose both Campbell and Girdler (their two five eighths), who are they going to pick to replace them?

If they pick from within the WCC squad, I imagine that Danny Galea would go to centre to replace Girdler. If Campbell is also out, then I'd guess Roberts would come in to play fullback and Wesser would play five eighth unless a junior was put into the halves.

 

[*Sandy*]

No way they won't play Wesser at 5/8th! There are a few options for the 5/8th posi. Priddis can play it with ease and we have options for Hooker replacement as in Donato & Maclean. Lewis played his junior football as 5/8th and could also slot easily into a 5/8th or Centre position. We also have Snowy who could back up the 5/8th. Danny Galea could cover the centre or wing posi's.

 

[DrewBeliever]

Hey the weather down her ein Leeds/Bradford/Huddersfield is a white blanket of snow.
Just hope for the games sake it melts away quick.

 

[Fibroman]

Priddis would go to half and Gower to 5/8.

 

[Caged Panther]

If girlder is out either danny galea will come into the centers or howland will come on to the wing forcing lewis into the centers.

If preston is out its less clear cut. Last year ben reynolds probably would have played the role but obviously his not with the club. That does leave a couple of options like danniel russel coming into 5/8 or perhaps even aron barba.

 

[choc_soldier]

I don't think Barba is quite ready for first grade just yet. Needs some time in first division before he can be considered I think. But he was talking to us at the sevens on Sunday, and he said that he will most likely play in the halves for the Cougars.

 

[Caged Panther]

I don't think Barba is quite ready for first grade just yet. Needs some time in first division before he can be considered I think. But he was talking to us at the sevens on Sunday, and he said that he will most likely play in the halves for the Cougars.

thats why i prefaced barba name with the words "perhaps even" i though he was an outside chance at best.

 

[choc_soldier]

I should have read the post a bit more closely... :lol:

If both of them are out, this would be my team:

Wesser
Howland
Galea
Whatuira
Rooney
Lewis
Gower
Lang
Priddis
Clinton
Puletua
Galuvao
Swain / Waterhouse

If only Girds is out, put Lewis into the centres and bring in Howland.

If only Presto is out, put Girdler at five-eighth, and bring in Galea. They probably wouldn't want to blood Russell in a game such as this.

 

[Fibroman]

Doesn't anyone else think that Priddis can play half back?

 

[The Observer]

IIRC Priddis was originally a backrower at Canberra Raiders, so he wouldn't be much of a half.

 

[*Sandy*]

Yep. He has and he did it well. If and its a big `if' preston is out i reckon that's what they will do put priddis with Gowie in the halves. For a game like this we need a strong halves combination.

 

[choc_soldier]

I didn't think that Priddo could play half... in general, hookers are ex-halfs, I know, but yeah, I don't remember him ever playing half for the Raiders or Broncos.

 

[*Sandy*]

When Gowie broke his hand, the game they played against Melbourne at Penrith, I'm pretty sure Priddis came in as 1/2 whilst Girdler was 5/8 and Donato as Hooker.

Or he could have taken over the reigns and played 1/2 up at Newcastle when Gowie was out for 1/2 the game...i'm not sure which one it was but it was at the time when Gowie did not play through injury that Priddis has played 1/2 in the Penrith Colours and did it well.

 

[choc_soldier]

Oh right... well there you go!

 

[Tupac Shakur]

It's crap how the Bulls and us now are losing players for the match i was hoping both sides were gonna be full strength.

 

[choc_soldier]

These things happen unfortunately.

I think all of us would have liked to see both sides at full strength.

 

[*Sandy*]

Well now that we know Girds won't be there for sure and Presto will. I heard that Howland will go in so i'm pretty sure the line up will be Howland/Whatuira & Rooney/Lewis. That combo we have seen quite a few times.

 

[pommie_raider]

I knew all along Campbell was just going to be fine, just Lang playing mind games with Bradford.