(Thanks to the QT and Jay Buchan)
THE Ipswich Jets’ win over Queensland Cup competition leaders Northern Pride on Saturday has come at a cost.
Interchange utility Sam Parcell is out for the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the round six clash, won 22-20 by the Jets at the North Ipswich Reserve.
It is a cruel blow for the 18-year-old, who was playing just his third Queensland Cup match.
He debuted in round four this season against Wynnum Manly.
“He was just chasing a player after a bit of a break,” Jets co-coach Shane Walker said.
“He just changed direction.
“That’s how about 70 percent of them go, apparently.
“He’s joined the group.”
It is a group that includes both Jets coaches, Shane and brother Ben.
They can sympathise with his plight and know the challenge Parcell faces to get back to where he was.
“It’s just getting your head around nine months of recovery and keeping positive and being a part of the team,” Walker said.
“That’s when the doubts start to creep in.”
Parcell had impressed in his two and a bit games for the team.
Normally a halfback or five-eighth, his main role had been replacing older brother Matt as dummy half.
“He was doing a good job,” Shane Walker said.
“He had that versatility where he could fill in a number of backline positions and fill the role of hooker.
“He’d had a good off-season and has plenty of speed.”
Walker was unsure who would come into the squad to replace Parcell.
He admitted there were some other injury concerns, though none as severe as Parcell’s plight.
Matt Parcell was concussed against the Pride, five-eighth Dane Philips has been playing with a broken finger and halfback Ian Lacey is still affected by the leg injury that kept him out of the team for the round five loss to Souths Logan.