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The rumour continues: Sonny Bill out for season?

gunnamatta bay

Referee
Messages
21,084
eelavation said:
the rumour was quashed by major media outlets on Friday.

IT'S NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.sundaytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,9353,18119092-28780,00.html





Is Sonny Bill's career on its last legs?
By PETER BADEL
February 12, 2006

BULLDOGS doctor Hugh Hazard has revealed that Sonny Bill Williams' knee might never return to its peak condition and could only be healed by revolutionary transplant surgery that would sideline him for 12 months.

But orthopaedic specialist Merv Cross has warned Williams not to consider the radical operation, insisting the strike second-rower can fulfil his potential on a modified training program.

Concerns for Williams' right knee have raged over the off-season, with initial reports suggesting the 20-year-old was fighting fit and ready to stamp his mark in 2006.

However, The Sunday Telegraph has learned that Williams is being troubled by his knee, raising concerns in the Bulldogs camp.

The best hope of restoring full strength in Williams' knee lies in ground-breaking surgery. But that carries a high risk and would sideline the Kiwi Test star for a year – a scenario the Bulldogs are desperate to avoid.

"The knee is not perfect – he's struggling a little bit," Hazard said.

"I'm confident his body can hold up but we're still a way off starting the season. We're building him up slowly and we have our fingers crossed that his body holds up.

"At this stage we're hoping to play him in one of the trials for a short period. He's only 20 and we're looking after him, trying not to overload him.

"His knee is nowhere near as bad as that of Shaun Timmins (the Dragons utility who barely trains) – but we hope that he'll be OK."

Williams, who has damage to the joint surface in his knee, refused to comment on the injury. The rampaging back-rower is on a restrictive program incorporating bike work and swimming which will continue for the rest of the season – and most likely the remainder of his career. He is expected to play in the season opener against Penrith on March 11, but the nature of the injury means he could be a week-to-week proposition.

By virtue of Williams' youth, Hazard is reluctant to consider surgery.

Under the procedure pioneered by a Swedish doctor, a portion of Williams' cartilage is removed and sent to a Melbourne laboratory. Cells are then injected into the damaged area in a bid to regenerate the cartilage, before it is re-attached to the knee. The operation is known as a Cartilage Hyaline Transfer, although Williams can ill-afford another year out of the NRL.

"We don't want him out for 12 months – he just sat out 12 months," Hazard said. "While the operation works in non-elite athletes, it's not proven in high-demand athletes who put pressure on the knee."

Cross said the operation was so hit-and-miss he refused to perform it.

"It's very rare," he said. "The operation could be a success but I don't know of anyone in Australia who has returned to pro sport after such an operation. I haven't seen any injury that has truly stopped a player from competing at a high level, so if the Bulldogs do the right thing by Sonny, I'm sure he'll fight back."

The Sunday Telegraph



 

Sharkie™

Juniors
Messages
1,606
that sucks, its pretty scary to think that its gotten to stage where it could just go and he will be out for an extended period (again) or in an extreme case never play again. im a huge fun of his even if he is a bulldog.
 

go_the_doggies

Juniors
Messages
133
He will be fine *cross's fingers*

I read the 1st paragraph and was worried then i read the rest, i believe he shall be fine
 

Timmah

LeagueUnlimited News Editor
Staff member
Messages
100,947
Can someone change the topic title? Sonny isn't out for the season. Load of sh*t.
 

go_the_doggies

Juniors
Messages
133
dodge said:
Can someone change the topic title? Sonny isn't out for the season. Load of sh*t.
I agree

Im sick of all these f**king rumors, there's no rumors about anyother player from another team!!:sto:

Why is there no rumors about Benji!! hes the new super star now that Sonny had a injury prone year....pffft...:x
 

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
go_the_doggies said:
I agree

Im sick of all these f**king rumors, there's no rumors about anyother player from another team!!:sto:

Why is there no rumors about Benji!! hes the new super star now that Sonny had a injury prone year....pffft...:x

How naive.
 

dubopov

Coach
Messages
14,737
I don't give two sh*ts about Williams one way or another, but on the Jubilee Avenue Forum, a reliable Poster has said that Williams is out for 4-5 weeks with two stress fractures in the ankle..
 

Iafeta

Referee
Messages
24,357
If they modify his training schedule, to include a lot of low impact excercise around the legs (Ala swimming, low pressure bike work), keep him away from sand dunes etc., it could be managed to a decent degree.

I hope he gets through, he's IMO one of the best, if not the best when he's able to get on the park.
 

parra_jesus

Juniors
Messages
632
his knee has been like this for along time now, but the doggies have tried to keep it a secret, i think the bulldogs should cut their losses and release him from his contract.
 

Frenzy.

Immortal
Messages
49,840
go_the_doggies said:
I agree

Im sick of all these f**king rumors, there's no rumors about anyother player from another team!!:sto:

Why is there no rumors about Benji!! hes the new super star now that Sonny had a injury prone year....pffft...:x

Because he is only half the gimp Sonny William Williams is. What a stupid name.
 
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