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Brenton Lawrence

Alex McKinnon out of intensive care
April 17, 3.59pm:
Alex McKinnon has been transferred from intensive care to a spinal rehabilitation ward as he continues his recovery from a 'devastating spinal injury' in a Sydney hospital. The Knights revealed in a statement on Thursday afternoon: "Movement in Alex’s right arm is improving and he has started to get movement in his left arm. Alex is able to control an electronic wheelchair. As previously advised, further regeneration may occur over a two-year time frame. While there is a long road ahead for Alex, these small improvements continue to lift his spirits, as does the overwhelming amount of support he is receiving. Alex and his family wish to thank the medical team at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, for the acute care and treatment following his injury. They also wish to thank the hospital staff currently managing his progress."

Canberra not giving up on Anthony Milford
April 17, 3.12pm:
Canberra chief executive Don Furner says the Raiders are still holding on to hope they can keep boom fullback Anthony Milford at the club beyond this season. The prodigious 19-year-old has already signed with the Broncos for next season. But the Green Machine are desperately lobbying behind the scenes to try and change Milford's mind before a loophole in his contract allowing him to opt out of the Brisbane deal expries at the end of May. "He is a top priority, he was last year and he was at the start of this year," Furner said. "The salary cap rules are a minefield in themselves, so there is a lot that's got to be worked through there. We just have to make sure we win some games, keep him happy, and see how we go. Hopefully he'll change his mind."

Hoffman: Club doctor followed protocol
April 17, 2.55pm:
Storm back-rower Ryan Hoffman has taken to Twitter to declare the club did not breach the concussion guidelines in Monday's controversial after-the-siren win over St George Illawarra. The NRL has launched an official investigation into whether Hoffman should have been allowed back on the field after undergoing a SCAT test following a head knock in the 55th minute. The Dragons are furious the new concussion laws forced them to finish the game, which they lost 28-24, with 12 men on the field. Prop Dan Hunt copped a knock in the dying stages and left the field but was not replaced because the Dragons had run out of interchanges. But Hoffman is adamant everything was above board with his head knock. "Despite my insistence at the time (that) I was ok, our club Dr had me undertake the full SCAT concussion test as per NRL regulations," Hoffman tweeted on Thursday. "I passed the test and was cleared to go back on the field. Any notion that our Dr acted outside NRL regulations are false."

Lawrence eyeing Maroons berth
April 17, 7.07am: Manly's Brenton Lawrence attended a dinner for NSW-based Queenslanders in Sydney on Wednesday night - now he's hoping for a spot at the head table during this year's Origin series. Mackay-born Lawrence was in State of Origin limbo two years ago - ineligible for either state - due to the fact he played his early football in South Australia. The NRL finally stepped in to break the impasse, officially declaring the Sea Eagles front-rower a Queenslander. "Like any young kid, you dream of playing Origin. It would mean everything. I've always considered myself a Queenslander," he said. "It's a lift (to be in the Maroons' thoughts). It fills your bucket a little bit. The Queensland side is not in any trouble - they've got a great roster - but it's good to be considered a 'maybe'."

 

 

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