ANTHONY Laffranchi has been back in the fold for over a month now and is really looking forward to playing in some big games down the stretch.
The forward missed a big chunk of the campaign with a trapped nerve in his forearm and it was a real possibility it would not only end his season… but his career too.
“I’m pleased to be back on the field,” he said. “It wasn’t looking good three-and-a-half months ago. My season looked done as did my career. It has been an emotional rollercoaster.
“We didn’t know what the injury was but after a short time we knew I needed surgery and the average recovery time was five to six months. And that was season and career ending.
“The best case scenario would be two months, but that was rarely seen. Fortunately I got back in seven weeks. The nerve in my arm was compressed and not damaged and I had an instant response after surgery.”
Boof said the problem happened in around week one or two and he slowly lost the feeling in his hand.
In his last game before surgery – at Castleford – he had to tape his fingers open to catch the ball.
“I thought my season was over; this is my new year in a way,” he continued. “I’ve been back a month now and I feel good. It’s good to be coming back into some big games at the end of the year. Now we have to kick on.
“We were disrupted before our last game – we lost Walshy and then Wilko pulled out and couldn’t train. We had to fit a pre-season into two days of training and I think you saw that against Hull. We’ve had a few extra days of training and it has been good.
“We’re confident with what we have in place but it will take a committed and united effort to move forward.
“This week is a big game with the cup either side of it and then coming into the final three weeks of the season all the top six will play each other.
“We want to finish top and put a little silverware there. It will be disappointing if it comes to the last week and we get knocked off. We have been there most of the year and it will be disappointing if we let it go.”
Anthony will be heading back home at the end of the season to take up a role with the Gold Coast Titans.
He will be involved in developing youngsters for the club and spreading the rugby league word.
“I’d made up my mind pretty much to go home at the beginning of the season and when the surgery was suggested it was in my mind to get it done, get some rehab and then go back with some function in my arm.
“I had to think post Rugby League and the quality of life with my three kids.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here and wish I would have come over a bit earlier. It is a great club, I love the culture and I have been blessed to have been here. I will be sad to leave but will be starting a new chapter at the Titans.”
