The Village Motors Dolphins received some unwelcome news over the weekend with the Club’s 2018 Premiership winning Captain Cameron Cullen suffering a season ending knee injury. The injury was sustained fairly innocuously while participating in a charity touch football match.
Dolphins media spoke with Football General Manager Grant Cleal about the news which comes almost on the eve of the Club’s premiership defence.
“Injuries are part of our game. They will play a part in every Club’s season and we are no different. We are disappointed for Cameron but there is no good that comes from feeling sorry for ourselves when injury strikes,” Cleal said.
The Dolphins are no strangers to competing in the Intrust Super Cup despite having key personnel on the sidelines. They played two thirds of last season without the experienced Nick Slyney. Bryce Donovan missed half the season with a pectoral tear and subsequent surgery and Front Rower Nathan Watts was missing for 7 weeks with a broken jaw. The Club went on to claim an historic 6th Intrust Super Cup despite a heavy injury toll.
If Head Coach Adam Mogg was concerned by the news he certainly didn’t show it when speaking with Dolphins media. “It’s tough on Cullo but he is experienced enough to know injury is always just around the corner, particularly when a player has strung a few seasons together without injury like he has” Mogg said. “We have a strong roster that covers any potential loss of a player in any position. Cullo’s injury leaves a hole but the size of that hole will depend on how the remaining squad members react.”
In the halves the Dolphins retained Bryce Donovan and Jayden Nikorima from 2018 as well as Reece Braun from the BRL Grand Final team last season. A player new to the Club who might contest for the number 7 jersey is Gerard McCallum, who, although playing in the fullback position the last couple of years has also spent time at half back.
Grant Cleal said the Club wishes Cameron all the very best for a speedy recovery from his upcoming surgery and the hard rehabilitation work ahead. “We are certain he will still play a part in the Club’s desire to go back to back in the competition,” he finished.