Shrewd move for Fensom paying dividends
THIS time last year, Cowboys forward Shaun Fensom was playing NSW Cup finals in front of a few hundred people, unable to crack the Canberra side.
It would have been a difficult pill to swallow given he was crowned Raiders player of the year twice and was a crowd favourite in the capital for his toughness.
But just a few days after being told Canberra couldn’t fit him under the salary cap, the 28- yearold was on a plane to Townsville.
Fensom was recruited to help fill the void left by James Tamou ( Penrith) and Ben Hannant ( re- tired) in the middle. His signature became even more vital when cocaptain Matt Scott suffered a season- ending knee injury in round two.
Like Te Maire Martin, who is deputising for Johnathan Thurston this year, Fensom’s recruitment has been shrewd.
For the first few weeks in Townsville, Fensom was temporarily separated from his wife Leah and then three- week- old firstborn daughter as he found his feet.
“It was a bit strange but you have to do what’s best for you and your family. It wasn’t that hard really,” Fensom said.
“They just said there’s not much room there any more and I wasn’t getting played in first grade. It was a good decision to move on. My manager rang and four or five days later I was on a plane settling into North Queensland.”
He is playing with a medial ligament issue, always unlikely to stop a player renowned for playing through injury.
He did a solid job against Cronulla’s star- studded pack in last week’s extra time win, particularly early when they dominated possession.
“There’s not much you can do for it really, just strap it up and deal with it each week,” he said.
“When you run when it’s torn your leg feels a bit funny because it flicks out the side. A bit of strapping holds it a bit straighter.
“It was a good challenge on the weekend. I thought we did a good job and they didn’t make the metres they usually make.”
Fensom’s effort has not gone unnoticed by his fellow forwards in the middle.
“He’s always been a player who’s put his body on the line and played busted,” Jason Taumalolo said.
“To have Fenno there taking on guys twice the size is definitely inspirational of him.
“He may not get the metres in attack, but what he lacks in attack he makes up in defence.”