Richie Fa'aoso's career-ending injury may not end his career after all.
In what is one of the most remarkable comebacks in rugby league history, Fa'aoso has been cleared to return to the NRL less t
han a year after breaking his neck.
The premiership-winning prop, who was in career-best form before he suffered what was initially diagnosed as a C7 vertebra fracture against South Sydney in last year's finals series, could be available for Manly selection in coming weeks.
Fa'aoso has been cleared to return to the field by the same specialist that oversaw the comeback of Queensland star Brent Tate from a series of neck injuries.
Ironically, Tate announced his retirement on the same day Fa'aoso received the green light to return. It's understood that the bones in the neck have fused together naturally and Fa'aoso is unlikely to experience a recurrence of the injury.
Manly officials were shocked when informed of the development on Wednesday. With the club's forwards stocks stretched to the limit following season-ending injuries to Glenn Stewart, Jamie Buhrer and Matt Ballin, Fa'aoso's availability couldn't have come at a better time. The Tongan international remains contracted to the Sea Eagles and remains on the payroll, leaving no impediments to a comeback.
One of the game's great journeyman, Fa'aoso has played with the Panthers, Roosters, Eels, Knights, Storm and Manly during a decade-long career in the top grade.
The 30-year-old finally tasted premiership success with the Storm and was a chance of going back to back at different clubs, only for the neck injury ruling him out of last year's decider.
Only a handful of players, including Sam McKendry and Ben Ross, have been able to come back from serious neck injuries.
Fa'aoso has remained active while away from the game, training with a friend to keep his fitness up. It's understood Fa'aoso is keen to continue his playing career beyond this season.
Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans said he has never seen Manly's playing roster in such dire shape.
"Never before have we had to test our roster as much as this season," Cherry-Evans said. "Even more so now we have had two of our starters go on the weekend.
"This club is going to have a real test in front of it, but I have no doubt the roster we have in 2014 that we ... will be able to get through this.
"We need to make sure that everyone who gets their opportunity this year understands their role and I am sure they won't let anyone down."
Jayden Hodges, 20, will fill the void left by Ballin. He is the cousin of Brisbane co-captain Justin and has played just eight minutes this season. He signed a three-year contract to join Manly from North Queensland, where he played three NRL games last year.
"It would be hard to say we won't miss a beat this weekend," Cherry-Evans said.
"It's going to be a difficult transition from Matty to Jayden but, in saying that, we have a lot of belief in the talent that Hodge can show. There will be a few hiccups and teething problems early, but we need to worry about [concentrate on] the positives.
"His speed and agility around the ruck will be hard to handle."
With Ballin and Buhrer absent, Manly have lost two of their most reliable defenders. Officials are hopeful Ballin may return if the side reaches the preliminary final.
"There will be no expectation on Jayden to go out there and do what Ballin does," Cherry-Evans said.
"I don't think [extra pressure] will fall directly on myself and Kieran [Foran's] shoulders. But I think the team collectively – everyone has to shoulder a bit more, particularly with the workrate that Matty and Jamie have done this year."
Meanwhile, Ballin revealed that he played on for about 22 minutes on Sunday with a broken leg.
"I was just in a bit of pain and didn't really know where I was from the tackle," Ballin told the Sea Eagles website.
"As I got moving, my leg was sore and I just thought it was a bit of a cork. I tried to stay out there until half-time, but then saw the doctor and they made the call to pull me off and not go back on in the second half, which was disappointing.
"In the end, it was a really good call by them putting my safety first."
.
.
Adrian Proszenko
SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/richie-faaoso-cleared-to-return-to-nrl-less-than-a-year-after-breaking-his-neck-20140903-10byzt.html#poll
