Enforcer adjusts
I LOOKED AFTER MY BODY AND CAME BACK REALLY FIT.
KEEGAN HIPGRAVE
TITANS enforcer Keegan Hipgrave admits he has undertaken his own version of “anger management” as the aggressive forward prepares to take the field for the first time in almost a year when the Gold Coast take on the Cowboys in their season restart next Friday.
Hipgrave has not played for the Titans since June 9 last year when the 23-yearold was concussed in the Gold Coast’s 26-18 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
It was Hipgrave’s third concussion of the season, leading to an extended period on the sideline as medical experts exercised caution.
That lead to a long and lonely road back for Hipgrave, who trained mostly by himself while meeting benchmarks set by neurologists until he was finally cleared to resume full-contact training with the team as he looked to reignite his NRL career.
That final step – running out to play with the Titans – looked like being taken in
Round 3 when the Titans were scheduled to play the
Broncos. But then the coronavirus pandemic arrived, suspending the NRL competition, and adding more frustration to Hipgrave’s return.
“It has definitely been a long six to nine months, but I am so excited to be where I am at the moment,” Hipgrave said. “I am so excited to be back training with everyone and, hopefully, Friday week I will be back on the park.
“I think those extra couple of weeks in the isolation period gave me a really good chance to nail all the little things. I looked after my body and came back really fit.
“That little isolation was a blessing in disguise for me.”
A fearless and ferocious defender, Hipgrave admits he will have to temper his kamikaze-style approach to rugby league to ensure he protects his head, keeps himself out of harm’s way and keeps himself on the field.
“It will definitely be managed,” Hipgrave says of his trademark aggression. “What I have learned is that it is all about being effective. ”
Coach Justin Holbrook will name his Titans team to take on the Cowboys on Tuesday, and Hipgrave is sure to be in contention for a spot on the edge.