Geappen's neck on the line
September 3rd 2010 03:16
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
by JAMES BRESNEHAN
CLARENCE coach Brett Geappen knows he risks life in a wheelchair by coming out of an injury-forced retirement for the Roos' State League second semi-final against Launceston at Bellerive Oval on Saturday.
But he is extremely confident he will get through the challenge unscathed and has the backing of his family going into the game.
On the advice of two doctors, Geappen, 29, announced his retirement on June 10 after severely injuring his neck in a match against North Launceston only a few days earlier.
He now has new risk-assessment advice and he plans to roll the dice.
"The worst case scenario is not great it was touch and go last time," Geappen said yesterday.
"There are risks for everyone on the field.
"The risk for me is going to be greater, but not a lot more than another person with a normal neck, and that's how I weighed it up.
"I understand the risk for me is higher and the worst case scenario is not great.
"I suppose you could potentially end up in a wheelchair.
"That's the top end of the scale, but it's the same for someone else if they had a bad fall."
Launceston coach Anthony Taylor was extremely surprised to learn of Geappen's comeback.
"He's a good mate of mine and I wish him well for his comeback," Taylor said.
"But we will treat him just like any other player on the field."
Geappen, who kicked an astonishing 60 goals in the first 10 rounds of the State League season, plans to come out of retirement for Saturday's second-semi and, assuming Clarence wins, the grand final on September 18.
"I don't want to go into the medical side too much because it's obviously been my decision," Geappen said.
"I got some other advice and went through the risks and all of that stuff and made the decision that I'd play two more games, hopefully. I've been running around with the boys at training for the past five weeks. I've got no symptoms at the moment.
"Certainly I'm aware of the dangers, which I'm pretty comfortable with. I'm not really worried about it at all."
Geappen said he had the full support of his wife Imogen and daughters Jemima, 7, and Penelope, 3, and the rest of his family.
"They are comfortable with it," Geappen said.
"Sure, they'll be happy once the season is over.
"But they have been part of the decision process and understand the risk involved.
"I'll just leave it at that and hopefully get through fine."
It was certainly a big day for Geappen yesterday.
The Clarence footballer pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court to drink driving and exceeding the speed limit after attending a combined 30th birthday party and wedding for a friend at Bellerive Oval on July 31 and then deciding to drive the 300m from the ground to his house about 11.30pm.
Geappen was stopped by police and registered a blood alcohol reading of 0.136.
His case was adjourned until September 28 when he will make an application for a restricted licence.
by JAMES BRESNEHAN
CLARENCE coach Brett Geappen knows he risks life in a wheelchair by coming out of an injury-forced retirement for the Roos' State League second semi-final against Launceston at Bellerive Oval on Saturday.
But he is extremely confident he will get through the challenge unscathed and has the backing of his family going into the game.
Clarence coach Brett Geappen retired in June after a neck injury, but makes a risky comeback this weekend.
On the advice of two doctors, Geappen, 29, announced his retirement on June 10 after severely injuring his neck in a match against North Launceston only a few days earlier.
He now has new risk-assessment advice and he plans to roll the dice.
"The worst case scenario is not great it was touch and go last time," Geappen said yesterday.
"There are risks for everyone on the field.
"The risk for me is going to be greater, but not a lot more than another person with a normal neck, and that's how I weighed it up.
"I understand the risk for me is higher and the worst case scenario is not great.
"I suppose you could potentially end up in a wheelchair.
"That's the top end of the scale, but it's the same for someone else if they had a bad fall."
Launceston coach Anthony Taylor was extremely surprised to learn of Geappen's comeback.
"He's a good mate of mine and I wish him well for his comeback," Taylor said.
"But we will treat him just like any other player on the field."
Geappen, who kicked an astonishing 60 goals in the first 10 rounds of the State League season, plans to come out of retirement for Saturday's second-semi and, assuming Clarence wins, the grand final on September 18.
"I don't want to go into the medical side too much because it's obviously been my decision," Geappen said.
"I got some other advice and went through the risks and all of that stuff and made the decision that I'd play two more games, hopefully. I've been running around with the boys at training for the past five weeks. I've got no symptoms at the moment.
"Certainly I'm aware of the dangers, which I'm pretty comfortable with. I'm not really worried about it at all."
Geappen said he had the full support of his wife Imogen and daughters Jemima, 7, and Penelope, 3, and the rest of his family.
"They are comfortable with it," Geappen said.
"Sure, they'll be happy once the season is over.
"But they have been part of the decision process and understand the risk involved.
"I'll just leave it at that and hopefully get through fine."
It was certainly a big day for Geappen yesterday.
The Clarence footballer pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court to drink driving and exceeding the speed limit after attending a combined 30th birthday party and wedding for a friend at Bellerive Oval on July 31 and then deciding to drive the 300m from the ground to his house about 11.30pm.
Geappen was stopped by police and registered a blood alcohol reading of 0.136.
His case was adjourned until September 28 when he will make an application for a restricted licence.
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