Luke Burt Media Conference

parragirl · Luke Burt Media Conference

11 July 2007

Q) LUKE SO GOOD NEWS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE?
A) Yes, absolutely. No cruciate damage so hopefully, I go in for an arthroscope late this week so I hope it will be 6 or 8 weeks by the time I get back on the park.

Q) AT THE TIME I SUPPOSE YOU WERE FEARING A LOT WORSE THAN THAT?
A) Yes I was fearing the whole season gone and most of the pre-season - even when I came into the sheds the Doc prepared me for the worst and said I could need a reconstruction. I got the good news yesterday and hopefully I will be back later in the season.

Q) NOT EVEN YOUR TEAMMATES COULD LOOK AT IT - IT WAS PRETTY BAD - DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAD DONE?
A) I had one quick look and didn't want to keep looking. My kneecap was around my knee and it was pretty ugly.

Q) HOW IS IT FEELING NOW?
A) It is feeling pretty good actually. The doc put the kneecap back in straight away on the field and it took a bit of the pain away so now it is just getting the medial part right and I'll be back into it.

Q) IT WAS ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS FOR THE EELS WHERE NOTHING WENT RIGHT?
A) That's right there were a few other blokes who got injured and then things weren't too good on the scoreboard either. That's footy.

Q) IS IT THE WORST PAIN YOU HAVE EVER FELT?
A) It would be right up there. I think there was a lot of shock too when I saw how bad it was. I'm in no pain now so things are good.

Q) ALL THINGS GOING WELL YOU WILL BE BACK IN TIME FOR THE FINALS WHICH IS GREAT NEWS?
A) I aim to be back then that's for sure. Hopefully the operation later in the week does not show too much damage and I'll be back for the last couple of games.

Q) YOU ARE THE LEADING POINTSCORER AT THE MOMENT..WILL THE INJURY HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR RUNNING OR KICKING?
A) I won't come back until it is fully right and I won't rush it. I'll be doing my best to get back there ASAP - I don't expect it to affect my kicking or running.

Q) HOPEFULLY YOU WILL BE BACK KICKING SOON IF YOU SAW PIG'S ATTEMPT AT GOAL THE OTHER NIGHT. YOU MAY WANT TO GET BACK SOONER?
A) (Laughs) We've got both Haynsey and Inu who can kick goals, we've got plenty of back up there.

Q) WHAT DO YOU PUT YOUR OWN GOOD FORM THIS SEASON DOWN TO?
A) It is hard to compare to any other season because I have never had a full season at fullback and now I am playing fullback I am really enjoying my role and place in the team - knowing who and when to run off and what to do. I am really enjoying it and enjoyment is a big part of it - when I'm playing well I'm enjoying myself.

Q) ARE YOU IN CAREER BEST FORM?
A) I would have to probably say so - there have been a couple of years there when I've done Ok but playing in different positions it is hard to say.

Q) SO BEST SEASON YOU HAVE EVER HAD AND THIS HAPPENS - HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?
A) Shattered but like I said before that's football. I just need to get over it and get myself right.

Q) YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE BOYS TO STAY I THE TOP 4?
A) Oh definitely. Haynsey has gone back to fullback and everyone knows what a good player he is. I don't think there'll be many who think we can't stay in the top 4.

Q) HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THEY'LL MISS YOU?
A) Hopefully not much but you'll have to ask them that!

Q) IS THIS THE FIRST MAJOR LEG INJURY YOU'VE HAD?
A) No, back in 2001 when we made the Grand Final I had a bad ankle injury so hopefully that is a good omen for the team.

Q) GETTING OFF THE TOPIC FOR A MOMENT, WHAT IS THE FEELING AMONGST THE PLAYERS WITH ALL THE PLAYERS GOING TO ENGLAND, THE LATEST BEING MATT KING?
A) I haven't really thought about it. He has to look after his future and if that's the best way to do it then good for him.

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/news1584.asp