Spillar determined to play Finals! ----------------------------------------------------- Brisbane recorded its 10th win of the season over local rivals the Gold Coast Giants. It should have been cause for celebration but in a brutal game the Maroons lost CJ Spillar for the remainder of the regular season. It was early in the contest and Offensive Coordinator Ross Gigg was keen to test out a suspect right side of the Gold Coast defence. In response the Giants had switched star Import Dereck Morgan to that side and as Spillar was forced to step back inside, Morgan came crushing down on him literally. Morgan’s full weight compressed down on Spillar and when the dust settled the star running back was a crumpled heap, desperately clutching his shoulder area. After an initial check by Brisbane conditioner Rudi Meir he was able to correctly diagnose that Spiller had broken his collarbone. Worse was to come. Kenn Kerr-Taupaki just a few drives later suffered a bad dislocated shoulder, ending his year on the spot. Kerr-Taupaki was already subbing in for Patty Gagai the regular Fullback and he is not due back until next week although with a back strain it will be very much a week to week proposition. And if it could not get any worse the Maroons had already lost starting Tight End Neccrom Woods who broke his leg against the Pirates in week 14. These injuries are highlighted even more so by the fact Brisbane run a very successful read-option run attack. Spillar is the focal point but the need a good lead blocker in the back field. “When CJ went down then KKT (Kerr-Taupaki), we had to scramble. It bwas not until the middle of the third quarter that we could stop making things up. Itw as a nightmare” said Quarterback Robbie Vaivai who may now be the teams best option as a runner. “You know injuries are going to come but this year it has been ridiculous. It is just a credit to the boys that we have 10 wins on the board. They just know how to fight and get the job done in any way possible” Coach Steve Linanne told the NSLT this week. “We will need to look at a new offense against Newcastle. And they are probably the worst team to be doing that against as they are so disruptive. It is going to be a difficult weekend but I think without giving too much away we will see more spread and more shotgun”. Spillar meanwhile is not going back to the states for more treatment like many of his counterparts. But in typical Spillar fashion he says he is not for selfish reasons. “I am going to get a chance to start with Buffalo this year and whilst I know they are monitoring the situation I don’t need them to know everything” Spillar said. “I think it is not too bad and I am desperate to play in the first week of the finals. The Doc’s say that is the earliest I will be good enough to play so if that is it then I will be ready for then”. Meir is backing up his running back. “The Bills sent one of their Medical team over straight away to asses him and they were keen to get him back to the states. But Spillar has it written in his contract that he will stay here. I have never seen that before with an Import”. Spillar had organised for his 2 year old daughter to visit over the next week but he has said the hardest thing about this injury was canning that idea. “I have not seen my little girl since January and that is the only thing I miss” he said. “But I want to make the most of this year as it may be my last in Australia as my NFL commitments are growing”. Spillar has fought of several challenges for the starting job at Buffalo and for the first time the job is his to lose. But what you quickly learn about the champion running back is that Australia is very much home for him now. “I love it here and whilst it is very different to where I grew up I would love to move here when my NFL days are over. Perhaps even play another season if I am good enough then”. For now he needs to work the hardest he has had to and that is to just get himself back on the field before his Australian time is up.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:48:21 +0000
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