Dislocated hip throws Bevan out for season
A SERIOUS injury to a rising Far North rugby league star has taken the gloss off a riveting contest between two desperate rivals at Jones Park.
Kangaroos five-eighth Simon Bevan, who played in the Northern Pride under-20s to start 2017, suffered a dislocated hip in the 76th minute of his side’s clash against Southern Suburbs yesterday, forcing the game to be held up for more than 30 minutes as ambulance officers treated him.
Insult was added to injury when Roos went down 22-16 in a seesawing game.
Suburbs were in charge for most of the match, taking a 10-0 lead to the halftime break as the Foster brothers Willem and Caleb ran riot down the left edge.
Kangaroos mounted a comeback in the second half and appeared to have the momentum going into the latter stages until Bevan’s injury.
Suburbs held on in the fading light and coach Jono Zangrande said it was a “strange” game.
“That was a bit of a different game and a bit frustrating when we put it together, how we do put it together. It’s just inconsistency for us,” Zangrande said.
“But in saying that, you just need to get that win. I think maybe a month ago or last year we would have found a way to lose that. We’ve got some quality in our side and the boys know I really want to make a run for it.”
Kangaroos coach Ben Laity could not fault his side’s effort but said his thoughts were with Bevan, who faces a tough road to recovery.
“It was pretty painful until he got the green whistle and even after that he was in a lot of pain, so we’re wishing him a speedy recovery,” he said.