https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/off-contract-cowboy-mitch-dunn-is-focusing-on-the-present-not-the-future/news-story/48cba9701e9d86315edc573896e8c9d9 THERE will be limited opportunities for Mitch Dunn to press his case for a new NRL contract. But he says he cannot focus on that, it is out of his control. All he can do now is ensure he uses this period to demonstrate his worth. Whether or not the competition resumes on May 28 or at a later time, the reality is a shortened season will provide fewer chances for off contract players to stake a claim to a club’s top squad. “I know some who are in the same boat where we’re not sure what will happen at the end of the year,” Dunn said. “(But) I haven’t given it too much thought because it’s out of my control in a way. “It’s a bit of an unknown what will happen with all that. I like to think (I have the runs on the board) but you never know, there always has to be room for young players coming through so you never know what the go is. “I guess that’s why you use your time now to prepare as best you can, if it’s going to be limited like that the best chance to get re-signed is if you’re playing.” To keep himself working towards an NRL comeback, Dunn has been working diligently at his home gym — which he bought off teammate Coen Hess.
However Hess has been a regular presence in the Dunn household since the season’s postponement, making use of the equipment he just offloaded. Dunn said he tried to encourage a gold coin donation, but only Kyle Feldt obliged when the winger came over for an individual session. But the occasional visit from some players has kept him well connected with the club, and ensured they are all motivated to push for a return to the field. “I’ve trained with Hessy, Tommy Opacic and Feldty so it’s been pretty good — I can bounce off those blokes,’ Dunn said. “Whatever team stuck together through this will come together through the other side a lot better off.” Time away from the game has given the young forward a blessing in disguise. His shoulders have never felt better. Dunn’s 2019 campaign was cruelled by a shoulder dislocation which ended his year and required surgery. A dedicated pre-season got the injury well under control, but his other shoulder suffered an impact on the AC joint in a trial match. “It’s been a good time for me to give my shoulders a rest and focus on them and getting them right. As much as it sucks not playing it has been a blessing as well,” Dunn said. “It has settled down now with a couple of weeks off and they’re feeling the best they’ve felt at the moment. “It’s more difficult through training, but once you’re in a game you can get cortisone into it and you don’t feel it. It’s through training and after games it catches up on you.”
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AuthorThis section showcases a collection of some of the work I did covering the North Queensland Cowboys - from match reports, to player features to breaking news. Archives
June 2020
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