GUYRA will definitely be without its captain and arguably its best player, Dan Vidler, for Sunday’s Group 19 grand final after his facial injuries proved to be even worse than first thought.
He is due to have surgery in Newcastle to repair multiple fractures.
It is a massive blow for the Super Spuds ahead of the decider against home side Glen Innes and also a personal disappointment in what could be his last year as a player.
The injury occurred in the dying stages of the final on Sunday when Vidler was struck by a Moree Boomerangs player, which started one of two brawls late in the match and led to the game being called off early.
Terry Vidler is not only Guyra club president but also Dan’s dad.
“Dan and Simon Porter go to John Hunter next Tuesday,” Terry Vidler said.
“They have a consultation on Tuesday and they’ll probably operate on Wednesday
“Dan’s got a broken nose, eye-socket and damage to his right cheek.”
Terry Vidler was at the Inverell bull sales yesterday but it’s another more metaphorical kind of cattle, football players, that his Spuds really need.
Dan Sisson is also out after breaking his leg in the first half while Porter was also a victim during the more unsavoury moments in the game and is nursing a broken cheek as well.
The only good news is that Brad Waters’ head and neck injury is not
serious.
Meanwhile CRL boss Terry Quinn and his right-hand man, Bert Lowrie, flew into Armidale for a meeting with members of the Group 19 executive and officials from clubs involved in Sunday’s grand finals.
After the on-field violence at Sunday’s finals at Guyra in both the under 18s and first grade matches there is likely to be strict rules and procedures put in place for the big day at Glen Innes to try and ensure there are no such problems.