Shaun Spence knows pain and heartbreak. He also knows that when opportunity knocks, you take it.
Having suffered a horrific knee injury while captaining Balmain in the NSW Cup last season, Spence was at a crossroads. At 21, there was a real possibility his league career was over before it began.
He worked hard, backed himself, and with the support of the physio and coaching staff, he saw light when the days were dark.
It is why Spence feels for injured half-back Tim Moltzen, who today undergoes his second knee reconstruction.
It is bad (for Tim) but he has been through it before, Spence offered.
He knows where he should be at. You can set yourself little goals. He has
plenty of boys around him to support him as well as the physio and coaching staff. Everyone will be around him. Hopefully it is easier as possible over the next few months for him.
As for Spence, he is over his rough period. The scars may remain but they drive him to chase his ambitions. He achieved his main goal of playing in the NRL when he made his debut against the Dragons at the SCG in round six.
Spence backed it with a solid showing in the loss to the Broncos at Campbelltown last Saturday night, in which he scored a try off a Robbie Farah kick. Or as he says, I pushed James Tedesco out of the way for it.
Getting out there with the boys is a major thrill, it is a dream come true, Spence said.
Whilst there is a lot of pressure to perform, from mainly myself, I have just been focusing on having fun and making sure I am enjoying every moment of it.
It is a huge step but Im relishing it at the moment. The boys have been really good. Aaron Woods has been through it before and has been a huge help. He has been unbelievable for me.
MAY MADNESS PURCHASE YOUR 3 GAME MEMBERSHIP FOR JUST $50
Having suffered a horrific knee injury while captaining Balmain in the NSW Cup last season, Spence was at a crossroads. At 21, there was a real possibility his league career was over before it began.
He worked hard, backed himself, and with the support of the physio and coaching staff, he saw light when the days were dark.
It is why Spence feels for injured half-back Tim Moltzen, who today undergoes his second knee reconstruction.
It is bad (for Tim) but he has been through it before, Spence offered.
He knows where he should be at. You can set yourself little goals. He has
plenty of boys around him to support him as well as the physio and coaching staff. Everyone will be around him. Hopefully it is easier as possible over the next few months for him.
As for Spence, he is over his rough period. The scars may remain but they drive him to chase his ambitions. He achieved his main goal of playing in the NRL when he made his debut against the Dragons at the SCG in round six.
Spence backed it with a solid showing in the loss to the Broncos at Campbelltown last Saturday night, in which he scored a try off a Robbie Farah kick. Or as he says, I pushed James Tedesco out of the way for it.
Getting out there with the boys is a major thrill, it is a dream come true, Spence said.
Whilst there is a lot of pressure to perform, from mainly myself, I have just been focusing on having fun and making sure I am enjoying every moment of it.
It is a huge step but Im relishing it at the moment. The boys have been really good. Aaron Woods has been through it before and has been a huge help. He has been unbelievable for me.
MAY MADNESS PURCHASE YOUR 3 GAME MEMBERSHIP FOR JUST $50
