The Brisbane Broncos were already facing a tough ask in 09 after losing founding coach Wayne Bennett, but only days after Ivan Henjack has taken the reigns - it seems an early injury blow has struck with the Broncos losing new signing Aaron Gorrell for the 2009 NRL season.
Previously with St George Illawarra but more recently playing in the UK Super League with the Catalans, Gorrell jumped at the chance to return home and link with the successful Brisbane outfit.
But after only a few training sessions, Gorrell was struck down last week with a knee injury and underwent an MRI scan. The results have been forwarded to Brisbane orthopaedic surgeon Peter Myers, who will see Gorrell on Tuesday.
The loss of the new hooker would be a crucial blow to the Broncos. Apart from major signing Israel Folau, the club has lost several faces. The biggest being Wayne Bennett, but last years form hooker Michael Ennis also packed up and headed for the Bulldogs – leaving the no. 9 spot very bare.
After a good showing in the UK Super League, Gorrell  was in demand – with the Catalans wanting him to take up his one-year option. But the Broncos weighed in, and it was an opportunity to good to pass up,” Gorrell said.
Gorrell said the chance to link up with the likes of Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer, Justin Hodges and Karmichael Hunt was highly enticing.
Veteran hooker PJ Marsh at this stage remains the no.1 hooking choice but played second fiddle to Ennis for most of 2008. Leaving Toyota Cup standout Andrew McCullough as an alternative, who played 3 NRL games this year and helped the Broncos to the under-20s grand final.
New coach Ivan Henjack wouldn’t have expected to feel the blow torch until the 2009 NRL kick-off arrived; however with unfortunate incidents such as this one – Henjack would already feel like he has the electric blanket on level 3 during those summer nights.