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Howell I go at fullback? Utility steps into Zillman's shoes
Peter Fitzgerald
Raiders utility David Howell has pledged a desire to be Canberra's permanent back-up to William Zillman at fullback following his successful top-grade debut in the role last weekend. Howell played fullback against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday night, his first time in the No1 jersey since his junior days playing in the Illawarra region.
Regularly a winger/centre, the 23-year-old admitted to being sceptical about his new role but enjoyed it so much he hoped coach Neil Henry would call on him any time the position was vacant.
And with Zillman recovering from a knee reconstruction which is set to sideline him for the rest of the 2007 NRL season and potentially the start of 2008, the opening is there for Howell.
"I thought I played OK but I really enjoyed it which was the main thing for me," he said. "I wasn't too nervous before the game, more excited I think, but I wasn't sure how everything was going to go.
"The best thing was that the coaching staff didn't put too much pressure on me so hopefully that's the case again this weekend."
Henry has again named Howell at fullback for Sunday's round 24 clash against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Howell believed the versatility required to play fullback would add another dimension to his game.
"With Zilly out for a while I hope I'm a chance to keep playing there because not only did I enjoy it but I think it will really help me when I go back too," he said.
"I wouldn't say I prefer fullback to the wing or centre, I've only had one real game there in a few years, but it's certainly something I had fun doing and would like to do again."
Howell will again link up with wingers David Milne and Brett Kelly as Canberra's back three when it travels to Brisbane this weekend.
The combination, which few thought would be required at the beginning of the season, impressed against the Warriors.
New Zealand scored twice on Milne's wing but both tries were through kicks, not a direct result of poor defence.
The three only had one week of training together in position before the Warriors match and Howell was relieved the performance impressed Henry.
"I thought we went really well and we've all been selected there again for this week so we must have done something right," he said.
Howell has struggled with injuries throughout 2007 and he is still not 100 per cent fit.
He played the majority of matches at the start of the season but failed to play in the NRL between rounds eight and 21.
The main groin injury - which medical staff initially thought was an abdominal strain, then osteitis pubis and then the effect of poor hip rotation - was still hampering him yesterday to the extent he went to the doctor last night to again get his hips scanned.
He has been doubling his dose of anti-inflammatory tablets close to match day to help ease the hip pain and has also struggled with a stomach injury since returning to the top grade.
"It's very frustrating, still not knowing the reason why the stomach is getting sore," Howell said.
"The groin is always sore to some degree, it's still playing up a little bit.
"I'm still pretty sore now, three days after the game, but I'll be right to go again on Sunday."
The Raiders leave for Brisbane on Saturday.
They have lost their past two clashes against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium but only by a combined total of eight points.
SUNDAY
Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 2pm. TV Time: Live on Fox Sports3.
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/de...league&story_id=1041574&category=rugby+league
Feel sorry for him his still injured and no answer, But his is not a starting winger or centre for 2008, backup yes but at $200k that's a lot of coin for backup, maybe a fullback if the Campo/Dobbo/Carney thing doesn't work and we use zillman as half.
Peter Fitzgerald
Raiders utility David Howell has pledged a desire to be Canberra's permanent back-up to William Zillman at fullback following his successful top-grade debut in the role last weekend. Howell played fullback against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday night, his first time in the No1 jersey since his junior days playing in the Illawarra region.
Regularly a winger/centre, the 23-year-old admitted to being sceptical about his new role but enjoyed it so much he hoped coach Neil Henry would call on him any time the position was vacant.
And with Zillman recovering from a knee reconstruction which is set to sideline him for the rest of the 2007 NRL season and potentially the start of 2008, the opening is there for Howell.
"I thought I played OK but I really enjoyed it which was the main thing for me," he said. "I wasn't too nervous before the game, more excited I think, but I wasn't sure how everything was going to go.
"The best thing was that the coaching staff didn't put too much pressure on me so hopefully that's the case again this weekend."
Henry has again named Howell at fullback for Sunday's round 24 clash against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Howell believed the versatility required to play fullback would add another dimension to his game.
"With Zilly out for a while I hope I'm a chance to keep playing there because not only did I enjoy it but I think it will really help me when I go back too," he said.
"I wouldn't say I prefer fullback to the wing or centre, I've only had one real game there in a few years, but it's certainly something I had fun doing and would like to do again."
Howell will again link up with wingers David Milne and Brett Kelly as Canberra's back three when it travels to Brisbane this weekend.
The combination, which few thought would be required at the beginning of the season, impressed against the Warriors.
New Zealand scored twice on Milne's wing but both tries were through kicks, not a direct result of poor defence.
The three only had one week of training together in position before the Warriors match and Howell was relieved the performance impressed Henry.
"I thought we went really well and we've all been selected there again for this week so we must have done something right," he said.
Howell has struggled with injuries throughout 2007 and he is still not 100 per cent fit.
He played the majority of matches at the start of the season but failed to play in the NRL between rounds eight and 21.
The main groin injury - which medical staff initially thought was an abdominal strain, then osteitis pubis and then the effect of poor hip rotation - was still hampering him yesterday to the extent he went to the doctor last night to again get his hips scanned.
He has been doubling his dose of anti-inflammatory tablets close to match day to help ease the hip pain and has also struggled with a stomach injury since returning to the top grade.
"It's very frustrating, still not knowing the reason why the stomach is getting sore," Howell said.
"The groin is always sore to some degree, it's still playing up a little bit.
"I'm still pretty sore now, three days after the game, but I'll be right to go again on Sunday."
The Raiders leave for Brisbane on Saturday.
They have lost their past two clashes against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium but only by a combined total of eight points.
SUNDAY
Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 2pm. TV Time: Live on Fox Sports3.
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/de...league&story_id=1041574&category=rugby+league
Feel sorry for him his still injured and no answer, But his is not a starting winger or centre for 2008, backup yes but at $200k that's a lot of coin for backup, maybe a fullback if the Campo/Dobbo/Carney thing doesn't work and we use zillman as half.
