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Thompson tackles final comeback hurdle
Chris Wilson
Canberra Raiders prop Troy Thompson will play a last-ditch trial against a bush footy club tomorrow in a bid to be fit for the opening round of the NRL season. Thompson and centre Craig Frawley will both make comebacks from injury in the preseason match at Queanbeyan's Seiffert Oval.
The Raiders yesterday rushed to organise the lower-grade trial against the Raymond Terrace Magpies, from the Newcastle competition, after their original opposition from the NSW Central Coast withdrew.
The Raiders' team will comprise mainly of reserve-grade players, who have a bye in the opening week of the season.
It will be Thompson's first and last opportunity for match practice ahead of Canberra's season-opener against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on March 17.
Thompson had off-season surgery to repair thumb and ankle injuries, but the most serious operation was a left-shoulder reconstruction.
Three weeks ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, Thompson said he was desperate for game-time before the NRL kick-off.
"I would have been confident [to play Manly without a trial], but the biggest worry would have been my match fitness," Thompson said. "You can't go into an NRL match without confidence or you'll get trampled.
"I think I'll be playing the first 20 minutes of each half [tomorrow] and, if I'm still right after that, I'll play a bit more."
Thompson will wear a brace and a left-shoulder pad, designed by Raiders medical staff.
"The surgeon said I'd be right for round one but my biggest fear was getting the strength back in it [shoulder]," Thompson said.
"I only started doing weights at the end of January but I've been getting stronger and stronger. It's feeling really good."
Thompson said he was also keen to work on his skills, revealing the Raiders pack had a licence to off-load this season.
"The style we're going to play is so much different to last year and the previous years," he said. "I think I'm allowed to off-load, I've tucked that away in the closet for the past couple of years.
"[Former coach] Matt [Elliott] was about completing our sets and making sure we got through to our kick, but Neil [Henry] wants to get a lot more passing in the forwards. That used to be a big part of my game and I'm looking forward to it."
Frawley will make his comeback from a stress fracture in his foot.
TOMORROW
Canberra Raiders v Raymond Terrace
at Seiffert Oval, 2pm. Entry is free
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/de... league&story_id=564336&category=Rugby League
Gotta love that quote im allowed to offload thank you Henry for killing our boring run, run, run, run, run then kick
Chris Wilson
Canberra Raiders prop Troy Thompson will play a last-ditch trial against a bush footy club tomorrow in a bid to be fit for the opening round of the NRL season. Thompson and centre Craig Frawley will both make comebacks from injury in the preseason match at Queanbeyan's Seiffert Oval.
The Raiders yesterday rushed to organise the lower-grade trial against the Raymond Terrace Magpies, from the Newcastle competition, after their original opposition from the NSW Central Coast withdrew.
The Raiders' team will comprise mainly of reserve-grade players, who have a bye in the opening week of the season.
It will be Thompson's first and last opportunity for match practice ahead of Canberra's season-opener against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on March 17.
Thompson had off-season surgery to repair thumb and ankle injuries, but the most serious operation was a left-shoulder reconstruction.
Three weeks ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, Thompson said he was desperate for game-time before the NRL kick-off.
"I would have been confident [to play Manly without a trial], but the biggest worry would have been my match fitness," Thompson said. "You can't go into an NRL match without confidence or you'll get trampled.
"I think I'll be playing the first 20 minutes of each half [tomorrow] and, if I'm still right after that, I'll play a bit more."
Thompson will wear a brace and a left-shoulder pad, designed by Raiders medical staff.
"The surgeon said I'd be right for round one but my biggest fear was getting the strength back in it [shoulder]," Thompson said.
"I only started doing weights at the end of January but I've been getting stronger and stronger. It's feeling really good."
Thompson said he was also keen to work on his skills, revealing the Raiders pack had a licence to off-load this season.
"The style we're going to play is so much different to last year and the previous years," he said. "I think I'm allowed to off-load, I've tucked that away in the closet for the past couple of years.
"[Former coach] Matt [Elliott] was about completing our sets and making sure we got through to our kick, but Neil [Henry] wants to get a lot more passing in the forwards. That used to be a big part of my game and I'm looking forward to it."
Frawley will make his comeback from a stress fracture in his foot.
TOMORROW
Canberra Raiders v Raymond Terrace
at Seiffert Oval, 2pm. Entry is free
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/de... league&story_id=564336&category=Rugby League
Gotta love that quote im allowed to offload thank you Henry for killing our boring run, run, run, run, run then kick
