Anderson set for Cairns after Storm and a scare
THE image of Grant Anderson clutching his neck while being carried off Sunshine Coast Stadium on a stretcher is one that sent a shudder through the spines of the former Northern Pride utility back’s friends and family.
But, as he prepares for his first game in Cairns since leaving the Pride, Anderson revealed it was the only low point in a year in which he’s trained with and developed his game at the Melbourne Storm.
IT was the image which sent a shudder through the spines of Grant Anderson’s friends and family and an experience the former Northern Pride utility back never wants to endure again.
Three weeks ago while playing for the high-flying Falcons against Ipswich, Anderson became trapped in a crusher tackle.
The moment he hit the ground his left hand shot to the right side of his neck, clutching at the obvious discomfort which became a more serious sensation just a few seconds later.
“I felt a pain and then my arm went dead,” he said.
Laying on his back in the centre of Sunshine Coast Stadium, he said he went into shock. He was attended to by trainers for what felt like an eternity, and when he was stretchered off the field, he feared the worst.
To that moment, it had been a dream move to the Sunshine Coast.
After a strong campaign with the Pride last year, in which he scored nine tries and kicked nine goals through 15 Hostplus Cup appearances, Anderson chose to link with the Falcons on a deal which also included time with the Melbourne Storm.
“That was why I left the Pride, I had the opportunity to train with an NRL team,” he said. “It was shame to leave Cairns, but the Cowboys didn’t come to the party and I couldn’t say no to an NRL opportunity.”
He completed pre-season under arguably the best current NRL coach in Craig Bellamy, and completed another month with the squad before that game against the Jets.
Anderson lined up for the Storm in their pre-season trial against the Warriors, which featured fellow former Pride weapon Jayden Corrigan.
“It’s been a real eye opener, you get to see all the work that goes into everything,” Anderson said. “After being on the tools and having to wake up early every morning, it gives you a bit of a taste of what that NRL experience is like and wanting more.
“All the little things (Storm) focus on, you can see why they are so successful.”
Anderson has taken those lessons and developed into a more effective centre, one who has not missed a game since his Hostplus Cup debut.
Now with seven games for the Falcons under his belt, Anderson is preparing for his first game in Cairns. He’s just thankful to be on the field.
Precautionary scans in the aftermath of that May 1 clash with the Jets cleared Anderson of serious injury, and he returned to action in the next game, playing the full 80 minutes in Sunday’s 22-14 win against Brisbane Tigers.
“Everything came back clear, the muscle spasmed from the impact and it hit a nerve, making the arm go dead,” Anderson said.
“I felt more sorry for my girlfriend. I’d just spent a month in Melbourne, flying back for games, and that was my first weekend back at the Sunshine Coast.
“It had been a tough month, then to have that happen, that scare, on the first weekend wasn’t ideal.”
Anderson has been named at centre against the Pride, and while he will be focused on his job, there might be an extra bit of love for former teammates Matt Egan, Tom Steadman and Chis Ostwald.
“We got pretty close while I was there but I’ll be looking for them,” Anderson said.
“I’m excited to come back and play. They haven’t had the results but they’ve played fairly well this year.”
The Pride face the Falcons at Barlow Park on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm.