A signing which has the potential to be the buy of the season, will most likely miss the first two weeks of the season after undergoing surgery on both wrists this off-season.
Greg Eastwood, a NZ international, had several pins inserted into his wrists during his surgery, and he will be in a plaster cast until February, before undergoing rehabilitation, which could see him miss up to a month of football.
Bulldogs Chief Executive Todd Greenberg confirmed that Eastwood would in fact miss some game time at the start of the NRL season, but he remains optimistic about Eastwood and his chances to play.
”Greg had surgery on both wrists prior to Christmas and it was to realign two previous fractures that he sustained while playing for New Zealand and Leeds, ” Greenberg said.
When the NZ international signed with the club, they were unaware that Eastwood needed surgery, and both Greenberg and coach Kevin Moore were shocked when they were informed that Eastwood would require surgery.
”We weren’t aware of the injury when we signed him, no,” Greenberg conceded. ”And he certainly wasn’t aware of it – you certainly wouldn’t have known he was sore by the way he was playing.
”It was corrective surgery. He’s had pins in there previously but there was an issue how they were inserted.
”Once he’s out of the plaster they have to make sure that the pins have realigned themselves.
”We’re optimistic.”
Another new recruit, Frank Pritchard is also struggling to be fit in time for Round 1 of the 2011 season, as he struggles with both his fitness and persistent leg problems.
Despite concerns however, Greenberg insists that the second-rower will make his debut for the Bulldogs in Round 1.
”I think blokes his size will always struggle with some niggling injuries but he’s getting better and he should be ready for round one,” Greenberg said. ”Frankie had a fair bit of time off but I think our goal for Frankie is to get more out of him on a week-to-week basis.”