ORANGE CYMS captain-coach Mick Sullivan’s Group 10 premier league season is over after getting the verdict on the knee he injured against Bathurst St Pat’s last weekend.
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But, in good news, his career isn’t.
After his knee collapsed underneath him against the Saints Sullivan was originally bracing himself for confirmation of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, which would have left him needing a full reconstruction and almost certainly ended his decorated playing career with CYMS.
But after enlisting renowned rugby league doctor Tony Ayoub to confirm the damage from scans, it was revealed Sullivan will instead go under the knife to repair a one centimetre tear in his meniscus – one of two cartilage discs found in the knee.
“I’m relieved it’s not ACL,” Sullivan said.
“I’m glad I don’t need the reconstruction surgery, I don’t think I could’ve gone through that again.
“So it looks like the recovery time will be about eight weeks (post-operation) which unfortunately makes this season a write-off but it’s much better news than it could’ve been.
“It means I should be able to come back and play again next year and, when the time comes, give me the chance to go out on my own terms.”
Sullivan said he’s looking at the positives on a personal front, particularly the challenge of coaching the side from the sideline through the finals.
“I’m looking forward to that challenge actually, it’s a good way to see how I’ll go just coaching the side and not playing at all,” Sullivan said, although he conceded he has done that before while injured.
In terms of his replacement, the pivot said he’s looking at an option some might not expect.
Where former Newcastle Knights halfback James Wynne seems the obvious choice to slip into Sullivan’s No.7 jersey, CYMS’ mentor said he’s more inclined to pick Tim Mortimer there.
That would allow CYMS’ effective hooker rotation of Wynne and Sam Hill to remain the same.
“I think that’s what we’ll probably run with, Morts has plenty of experience and has played a lot of halfback anyway,” Sullivan said.
“We’ve got a few options there though and more than a week until the major semi-final, so it’s not certain just yet.
“No matter which way we go, there’s still a lot of talent in this group and plenty of depth. I see no reason why we can’t still go all the way.”
CYMS will host the winner of Sunday’s qualifying final – between Bathurst St Pat’s and Bathurst Panthers – in next weekend’s major semi-final at Wade Park.