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Miracle Man - Two days in plaster

 

 

Redcliffe's representative centre Steve Cherry, back in first grade for the opening round of the Winfield Cup after just eleven weeks on the sideline, had his broken arm in plaster for just two days.

 

Dolphin coach, John Barber, revealed this week after fracturing his arm in the third-round Woolies match against Wests.

Barber was scoffing at suggestions that Redcliffe were rushing centres Cherry and Mitch Brennan back into first grade.

 

Brennan has been out for four weeks with a broken hand.

 

'Apart from the fact they are the best centres in the club, both are fit,' Barber said.

 

'I couldn't imagine Souths bringing Mal Meninga back in reserve grade, or Gene Miles coming back through the grades at Wynnum so why is it so unusual for Redcliffe?

Barber said Cherry had a plate inserted in his arm two days after it was broken and merely had it wrapped in gauze for the following fortnight.

 

From then on he had been training. In fact for the last two weeks he has been doing more than most of the squad, including tackling practice.

After a disappointing showing in both the Woolies and the State League, Redcliffe face the crunch in the Winfield Cup.

 

But Barber says the Dolphins will make the four.

 

'I know we are a better side than four others in Brisbane,' he said.

 

'I f we beat them twice ' as we should ' we'll finish with eight wins.

 

We made the semis last year with seven wins, and I think nine this year will make us a certainty, so we'll be there.'

Barber said it had been difficult to motivate his players after they had lost their first State League match.

 

'We knew we couldn't make the finals from there, so what was the point,' he said.

 

'Of course winning is important ' in fact it's everything ' but I don't prescribe to the theory of motivating them.

 

That's lying, and I don't like that.'

 

Barber also asked critics to get off the back of prop Paul Khan. 'Khany didn't play well in the State League and probably deserved the bagging he got.

 

But give him a go, because I also think he deserves that.'

 

Redcliffe meet Easts this Sunday, the side beaten by Valleys in last Sunday's State League final.

 

By Tony Durkin - May 20, 1983

Article courtesy of Rugby League Week 

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