Brisbane Broncos star Deine Mariner has been named in Brisbane’s squad to take on Cronulla-Sutherland this weekend.
The versatile Broncos star had to have limb-saving surgery earlier this season after what was initially diagnosed as a corked thigh.
Despite his lengthy lay-off after he developed acute compartment syndrome in that thigh, Mariner will be thrust straight into the starting line-up.
And his return could not have come at a better time for Michael Maguire’s side, who need to win all nine of their remaining games this season to have a chance of making the playoffs.
The only evidence of that horror injury suffered by Mariner is a rather large, 45cm, scar on his leg where he had to have surgery to relieve the pressure on the leg.
It is a particularly difficult injury to treat. Mariner had to have a cut in his leg from his hip all the way down to his knee.
Deine Mariner will make his return for the Brisbane Broncos after having limb-saving surgery earlier this season
Mariner is well ahead of schedule with his original return expected to be at the end of July
Both Deine Mariner and doctor Matt Hislop were sure of his return to action this season, calling it a matter of when not if
That is then left open until the pressure subsides, as they stitch it up little-by-little as the leg returns to normal.
Speaking at the time of the surgery, Matt Hislop said, ‘The problem is the muscle bulges out because it is under pressure.
‘The issue is you have to close it up again.
‘You can’t close it up too soon, otherwise it will just happen again. For the next week or week-and-a-half, they will monitor Deine, he is getting awesome treatment in Sydney and they are giving us regular updates.
‘What they will try and do is close it up piece by piece, every few days.
‘It’s like cutting a sausage and all the innards fall out, then trying to tuck all that back in and stitch the sausage skin back together again.’
Despite the severity of the injury,the 26-year-old was always sure of returning to the field for the Broncos again this season.
Shortly after having the surgery, he said he was maintaining a positive outlook after having his leg saved and that it would be around eight weeks until he was able to return to active training.
He was initially expected to make his return at the end of July, but his outstanding attitude and application has him well ahead of schedule.
And they will need his defiant mentality, just as much as they need his quality on the pitch, if they are going to turn things around and find a way to defend their title.
The Broncos slumped to their seventh consecutive defeat against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night, but head coach Maguire insists their season is not over.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s an uphill battle with the team I’ve got here,’ Maguire said.
‘People can say whatever they like, but the belief I have in this group and the journey I’ve had with this group tells me they’re a great group. If you fight like that, we’ll let that do the talking.’
They will be hoping that the boost from Mariner returning can be the spark the side needs to surge back into contention.
