16 April 2006
By NEIL REID
The Bulldogs are refusing to make dramatic changes to barnstorming forward Sonny Bill Williams' game.
Williams makes his latest return from injury for the Bulldogs against the Rabbitohs in Sydney tomorrow.
Injuries restricted the magical 20-year-old talent -on a $400,000-a-season contract - to just five first-grade games in 2005.
But Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said the injuries were simply a case of bad luck - and not down to his playing style.
"The foot injury didn't have anything to do with football," Folkes told Sunday News from Sydney.
"It's impossible to say what has caused the injuries. The mechanism of each of his injuries have been different.
"It's in the lap of the Gods really.
"But we haven't talked about changing his playing style at all."
Folkes also didn't rule out putting Williams back into the centres - where he played as a youngster - to ease the burden on him.
Williams' return was the big talking point around the NRL last week.
He missed the start of the season with a foot stress fracture.
It followed a horror run in 2005 of ankle and knee injuries.
"It's exciting news for the club that Sonny Bill is back," said Folkes.
"He is sick of not playing, that's for sure.
"He just wants to get back out there on the field and do what he enjoys. He's worked very hard.
"It's been a very frustrating time for him. And I'm sure he will be a much more relieved guy after Monday's game."
Williams was hailed as a future mega star of the NRL after debuting in the opening round of the 2004 season.
And it wasn't just his playing ability and physical presence that impressed - so too did his mental strength in coming up against bigger, older and supposedly wiser opponents.
Folkes said his enforced sidelining could make the second rower even stronger mentally.
"It depends on how he approaches it," he said.
"It has been extremely difficult for him. It remains to be seen. But I would imagine he will be strengthened by it all."
By NEIL REID
The Bulldogs are refusing to make dramatic changes to barnstorming forward Sonny Bill Williams' game.
Williams makes his latest return from injury for the Bulldogs against the Rabbitohs in Sydney tomorrow.
Injuries restricted the magical 20-year-old talent -on a $400,000-a-season contract - to just five first-grade games in 2005.
But Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said the injuries were simply a case of bad luck - and not down to his playing style.
"The foot injury didn't have anything to do with football," Folkes told Sunday News from Sydney.
"It's impossible to say what has caused the injuries. The mechanism of each of his injuries have been different.
"It's in the lap of the Gods really.
"But we haven't talked about changing his playing style at all."
Folkes also didn't rule out putting Williams back into the centres - where he played as a youngster - to ease the burden on him.
Williams' return was the big talking point around the NRL last week.
He missed the start of the season with a foot stress fracture.
It followed a horror run in 2005 of ankle and knee injuries.
"It's exciting news for the club that Sonny Bill is back," said Folkes.
"He is sick of not playing, that's for sure.
"He just wants to get back out there on the field and do what he enjoys. He's worked very hard.
"It's been a very frustrating time for him. And I'm sure he will be a much more relieved guy after Monday's game."
Williams was hailed as a future mega star of the NRL after debuting in the opening round of the 2004 season.
And it wasn't just his playing ability and physical presence that impressed - so too did his mental strength in coming up against bigger, older and supposedly wiser opponents.
Folkes said his enforced sidelining could make the second rower even stronger mentally.
"It depends on how he approaches it," he said.
"It has been extremely difficult for him. It remains to be seen. But I would imagine he will be strengthened by it all."
