Busted Bronco delayed surgery on both knees to win comp
Joel Gould |
Departing Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington delayed surgery on both of his knees to help inspire the end of a 19-year NRL premiership drought.
The 26-year-old’s bravery emerged in the wake of the 26-22 grand final win over Melbourne when he revealed how he battled through pain to get the Broncos over the line before departing for Manly next season on a four-year deal.
“I have got two torn meniscuses in both my knees,” Hetherington told AAP.
“I did the injury 10 weeks ago. I just knew we were building to something special so I didn’t want to get surgery.
“I wanted to play on with my brothers and it was the best decision I have ever made. I have put surgery back another two weeks now because I am going to drink piss for the next two weeks.”
Hetherington had been getting injections in his knees to take the field.
His grand final performance was one of his best, with a dynamic charge just before halftime giving electric fullback Reece Walsh momentum to go on his own rampaging run to score a crucial try.
Hetherington had been given permission last year to negotiate with other clubs for the final year of his contract but when Michael Maguire arrived as coach he made it clear that he wanted to keep the team’s “cattle dog” because of his work ethic and impact.
“Madge (Maguire) believed in me and I will be forever grateful to Madge. He has taught me a lot. I love him and I love the club,” Hetherington said.
“I bring what he likes and I believe in him.
“The Broncos mean a lot to me. It is going to be a hard day when I clean my locker out. I’m not talking about next year. I am just going to enjoy this with my brothers.
“How good is it? I am just happy for all the boys. I can’t believe it. I will be celebrating for the next couple of weeks.”
Kobe is the son of Queensland and Canterbury legend Jason Hetherington who won a title with the Bulldogs in 1995 against all odds when they knocked over hot favourites Manly.
Jason was in the Broncos sheds on Sunday to take in a poignant father and son moment.
“That feels better than when I won,” Jason told AAP.
“When it is your kids and they achieve something special it means so much.
“That is the ultimate achievement in the washup of his career. We all want to play for Queensland and Australia but winning a grand final is something very, very special.
“Inside the four walls at the Bulldogs we believed we could win thirty years ago and the Broncos also believed after two tough games where they came from behind to beat Canberra and Penrith.
“When they get got behind (22-12) against Melbourne they still had a lot of running in them.”
Jason, one of the toughest hookers of his era, knew his son was playing through discomfort.
“We had a long conversation about it,” he said.
“Kobe could have had surgery and missed a minimum of six weeks, which would have brought him back a week before the finals, probably a bit underdone. That was best-case scenario.
“Worst-case scenario it could have been the season. His groin is rooted too. You have got to learn to play with injuries, bite down on the mouthguard and play the season out. Thankfully he did.”
AAP
