injuryupdate
14-02-2005, 07:58 AM
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy reports that an adductor tenotomy operation performed on Billy Slater in the off-season has had him training at an excellent level.
Slater had the surgery with Neil Halpin, who works with the Knights and has done procedures on players from most NRL clubs.
The description of the operation and how it might work is at the following link:
http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/images/research/JSMStendons.pdf
The quotes (from Sportal) are as follows:
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says he expects Billy Slater to take his game to another level in 2005.
Slater burst onto the NRL scene two years ago as one of the finds of the season, and was only denied rookie of the year honours when the Dally M awards were cancelled.
But while he became an even bigger star last year, scoring one of the best tries in the history of State of Origin for Queensland, Slater also had to battle the debilitating effects of the groin complaint osteitis pubis.
Confident Slater has put the osteitis pubis problems behind him, new Country State of Origin coach Bellamy - who takes over after Ricky Stuart moved on to the New South Wales job - told the Herald Sun Slater is in for a big year.
"It was tough for him to maintain fitness last year," Bellamy said. "Basically, we didn't see him at training until our final session of the week."
"He's had the surgery and if he keeps going the way he's been going at training, he's in for a big year. It's a bit mind-boggling how good he could be."
Slater will play in both of the Storm's pre-season trial matches in the lead-up to the season proper, against the Brisbane Broncos at Carrara on February 19 and the North Queensland Cowboys in Cairns on February 25.
"It was only minor surgery but it has helped me a lot," Slater said. "I'm moving really well and I'm excited about the season ahead. It got pretty bad in the end. It was difficult to maintain my fitness levels and it showed a bit on the field."
"I ran a bit before Christmas and, since we came back from the break, I haven't missed a session. I'm feeling much fitter and, hopefully, that means I can look for chances a bit more. We have some great ball players and I want to offer them as much support as I can."
Slater had the surgery with Neil Halpin, who works with the Knights and has done procedures on players from most NRL clubs.
The description of the operation and how it might work is at the following link:
http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/images/research/JSMStendons.pdf
The quotes (from Sportal) are as follows:
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says he expects Billy Slater to take his game to another level in 2005.
Slater burst onto the NRL scene two years ago as one of the finds of the season, and was only denied rookie of the year honours when the Dally M awards were cancelled.
But while he became an even bigger star last year, scoring one of the best tries in the history of State of Origin for Queensland, Slater also had to battle the debilitating effects of the groin complaint osteitis pubis.
Confident Slater has put the osteitis pubis problems behind him, new Country State of Origin coach Bellamy - who takes over after Ricky Stuart moved on to the New South Wales job - told the Herald Sun Slater is in for a big year.
"It was tough for him to maintain fitness last year," Bellamy said. "Basically, we didn't see him at training until our final session of the week."
"He's had the surgery and if he keeps going the way he's been going at training, he's in for a big year. It's a bit mind-boggling how good he could be."
Slater will play in both of the Storm's pre-season trial matches in the lead-up to the season proper, against the Brisbane Broncos at Carrara on February 19 and the North Queensland Cowboys in Cairns on February 25.
"It was only minor surgery but it has helped me a lot," Slater said. "I'm moving really well and I'm excited about the season ahead. It got pretty bad in the end. It was difficult to maintain my fitness levels and it showed a bit on the field."
"I ran a bit before Christmas and, since we came back from the break, I haven't missed a session. I'm feeling much fitter and, hopefully, that means I can look for chances a bit more. We have some great ball players and I want to offer them as much support as I can."