deadlyeagle
Reserve Grader
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/hard-road-back-for-bani/
Hard road back for Bani
TWELVE months ago Manly winger Michael Bani was part of the Sea Eagles NRL squad as they made their way towards the grand final.
It was exciting times for the quietly-spoken winger from the Torres Strait Islands who was still struggling to adjust to life in Sydney.
“I came in to first grade and had nothing to lose so I gave it all I had,†Bani said.
“Experiencing what I did in first grade and playing in the finals, it gave me a massive boost and confidence for this year, thinking I’d get through it and then I’ll be ready for it.
“So this season I had high hopes and goals to achieve.â€Â
And after scoring five tries from the opening eight rounds, it appeared the 24-year-old was on track to capitalise on his 2007 exploits.
But an ankle injury in May, which turned into a dangerous clot, then a shoulder injury suffered just two games into his comeback through the NSW Cup, turned Bani’s year from promising to disastrous.
“What made it really hard was this was my first full year playing first grade,†he explained.
“I learned from last year and things I need to work on to play first grade.
“Then injury came along and it made it very difficult for me.
“But with everything in life, that’s just the way it is.
“You have your ups and downs.
“You just need to learn to get over the obstacles and move on from there.â€Â
Bani has moved on, playing with the Sea Eagles in their NSW Cup loss to Western Suburbs at Brookvale last Saturday.
“It was really hard coming back because I hadn’t played for nearly three or four months,†he said.
“I was a bit unsure, a bit lacking in confidence, but it’s expected after being out for so long.
“The team (NRL) is going really well, so all I can do is my best and finish with a high note and hopefully next year I can turn it around.â€Â
Bani gets another crack when the NSW Cup squad plays Balmain-Ryde in a semi-final at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday. Kick off is 1.30pm.
Hard road back for Bani
TWELVE months ago Manly winger Michael Bani was part of the Sea Eagles NRL squad as they made their way towards the grand final.
It was exciting times for the quietly-spoken winger from the Torres Strait Islands who was still struggling to adjust to life in Sydney.
“I came in to first grade and had nothing to lose so I gave it all I had,†Bani said.
“Experiencing what I did in first grade and playing in the finals, it gave me a massive boost and confidence for this year, thinking I’d get through it and then I’ll be ready for it.
“So this season I had high hopes and goals to achieve.â€Â
And after scoring five tries from the opening eight rounds, it appeared the 24-year-old was on track to capitalise on his 2007 exploits.
But an ankle injury in May, which turned into a dangerous clot, then a shoulder injury suffered just two games into his comeback through the NSW Cup, turned Bani’s year from promising to disastrous.
“What made it really hard was this was my first full year playing first grade,†he explained.
“I learned from last year and things I need to work on to play first grade.
“Then injury came along and it made it very difficult for me.
“But with everything in life, that’s just the way it is.
“You have your ups and downs.
“You just need to learn to get over the obstacles and move on from there.â€Â
Bani has moved on, playing with the Sea Eagles in their NSW Cup loss to Western Suburbs at Brookvale last Saturday.
“It was really hard coming back because I hadn’t played for nearly three or four months,†he said.
“I was a bit unsure, a bit lacking in confidence, but it’s expected after being out for so long.
“The team (NRL) is going really well, so all I can do is my best and finish with a high note and hopefully next year I can turn it around.â€Â
Bani gets another crack when the NSW Cup squad plays Balmain-Ryde in a semi-final at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday. Kick off is 1.30pm.