Raiders backs asked to prove worth
CHRIS DUTTON
January 26, 2010 - 5:30PM
Canberra Raiders coach David Furner has challenged his outside backs to use the pre-season trials to "prove they're good enough" to win a place in his starting side for the NRL season opener.
Furner's round-one plan hit a hurdle yesterday with David Milne declaring he would not be fit to take to the field for the clash with the Panthers on March 13.
The coach was set to give Milne first crack at the vacant wing position in the Raiders' trial against NSW Cup team, Western Suburb Magpies, in two weeks, if he had recovered from osteitis pubis.
But the 24-year-old quashed hopes he would be ready for his first game since June last year.
Milne had groin surgery in December and remains one of only two players with Justin Carney not fit enough to complete full training sessions.
"I've started doing a bit of running now so I should be back in a month or two fully training," Milne said. "I just can't do any speed work or change of directions and that sort of stuff.
"I can run forever going slow, but when I try and go fast I've got nothing. I rely on my power game more than anything else so it is a bit frustrating.
"I don't know if I'll get a trial in, I wouldn't mind getting a few minutes in the last one but I don't think I will be right."
With Milne and Carney who is recovering from a broken leg unlikely to be ready for round one, Furner will call on one of his less-experienced backs to fill a spot on the wing.
Milne was Furner's first choice in the fullback position last year before Josh Dugan broke on to the scene and had an outstanding rookie season.
Dugan is likely to be the team's fullback for the first game with Joel Monaghan and Jarrod Croker in the centres.
Daniel Vidot is on track to keep his place on the wing, but with Phil Graham and Adrian Purtell leaving the club in the off-season, Furner said the last place in his back five was up for grabs.
"It's a position that's open, that's for sure," Furner said. "You've got some guys like Michael Brophy, James Stuart, Matt Ward, Brett Kelly and Reece Robinson who can play there. Positions are up for grabs and they will be given opportunities and they need to prove they're good enough.
"It's exciting and it's up to the players to show they deserve to be [in first grade]."
Milne played eight games for the Raiders last season before osteitis pubis crippled his year. He was forced to watch from the sideline as Dugan made the No1 jumper his own. Off contract at the end of the year, Milne admitted he needed to put in solid performances if he wanted to remain in the lime green beyond 2010. But he said he would not think about a new deal until he was 100per cent fit.
"The length of time it's taking me to get over it is really annoying at the moment," Milne said.
"Even if I could play first grade in round one I wouldn't be match fit enough, I'd need a couple of games to get up to standard so I think I'll have to come back through Souths Logan. Duges was great last year, I don't care what position I'm in as long as I'm playing just get me in there anywhere."
CANBERRA RAIDERS TRIAL MATCHES
February13: v Western Suburbs Magpies (NSW Cup) at West Belconnen;
February20: v Brisbane Broncos at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane;
February27: v Canterbury Bulldogs at APEX Oval, Dubbo.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/raiders-backs-asked-to-prove-worth-20100126-mvzb.html
