NRL 2020 Cowboys vs Titans: Keegan Hipgrave back after concussion battle

Gold Coast Titans hitman Keegan Hipgrave has put his concussion battle behind him and is ready to take on North Queensland “Thoroughbred” Coen Hess.

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Gold Coast Titans hitman Keegan Hipgrave has put his concussion battle behind him and is ready to take on North Queensland “Thoroughbred” Coen Hess.

Hipgrave will make his return from a 355-day concussion battle when the Titans take on the Cowboys at QCB Stadium tomorrow (Friday) night.

Hipgrave has not played a game since suffering a third concussion in a short time frame on June 9 last year.

The 23-year-old’s last game was the Titans’ Round 13 clash against the Broncos, with the fiery forward ruled out for the remainder of the season to undergo neurological testing.

That was the last time the Titans tasted victory, with the club currently on a 13-game losing streak, albeit after this year’s season was suspended for two months due to COVID-19.

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Keegan Hipgrave has been out of NRL action for almost a year after suffering three straight concussions. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Titans will be hoping Hipgrave is their lucky charm after the Gold Coast junior received a clearance from doctors to return to action.

“I’m so excited to play, it’s been a while for me to get back on the field,” Hipgrave said.

“I got the tick of approval a while back and had to work through contact progressions. I’ve been in full contact for a number of months now so I’m really confident.

“It was more frustrating than anything. The only thing I wanted to do was get back on the field.

“I had the mindset that I was always going to come back. I’ve been nothing but confident the last couple of months.”

Hipgrave will have a tough test in his return to the NRL.

He will start in the back-row after Bryce Cartwright was dropped and confront Cowboys wrecking ball Hess on his edge.

A self-confessed gym junkie, Hess has earned the nickname “The Thoroughbred” from Cowboys teammate Jordan McLean after returning from the two-month break in fantastic shape.

Coen Hess has reportedly come back from the NRL shutdown in terrific shape. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“I’ve been calling him ‘The Thoroughbred’ lately because he’s looking that trim and fit and has got veins coming out everywhere,” McLean said.

“He came back in great shape from the break. He’s probably at the peak of where his body can go and hopefully he can transfer that onto the field.”

Bringing down Hess at his best is a challenge, but Hipgrave said he was ready to take him on in his return to the NRL.

“Coen is a really good player,” Hipgrave said.

“We’re going to have to have a really good defensive game with Hess and (Esan) Marsters on our edge.

“I played juniors with Coen and it will be a good match-up. He is a quality player.

“He is a big boy, but if we stick to our defensive principles we will be fine.”

Hess looked in great touch at the Perth Nines and scored a try in North Queensland's Round 2 win against the Bulldogs.

Hess said he was expecting Hipgrave to be handful despite being out of the game for nearly a year.

“I played a lot of footy with and against Keegan,” Hess said.

“He is an aggressive player who will come at you all day.

“It will be a really good match-up there. I enjoy playing against him.”

MCLEAN EXTENDS STAY IN NORTH QUEENSLAND

Cowboys stand-in skipper Jordan McLean says North Queensland fans are yet to see the best of him after inking a new deal to stay in Townsville for a further two years.

McLean will lead the Cowboys out against the Gold Coast Titans at QCB Stadium tomorrow night in the absence of injured captain Michael Morgan (shoulder).

On the eve of the NRL season, McLean activated an option in his contract to remain at the Cowboys until at least the end of 2022.

That will take his tenure in Townsville to at least five years, and in that time McLean is hoping to deliver the Cowboys a second NRL title.

Jordan McLean has re-signed with the Cowboys on a two-year deal. Picture: Alix Sweeney

McLean, 28, joined the Cowboys from Melbourne in 2018 as one of the game’s top front rowers, a Kangaroos prop who was tipped for NSW Origin selection.

His first season was marred by a foot injury and the Cowboys have not enjoyed much success over the past two years, finishing 13th and 14th.

But McLean sees a bright future in Townsville and is confident his third season at the Cowboys can be fruitful.

“I’m really starting to love the place,” he said.

“I can really see something building here.

“The last couple of years hasn’t been our best, but I reckon over the next few years we will be building to something special. Hopefully this year could be it.

“I still reckon I’ve got improvement to go.

“I definitely want to go out there and not let the boys down (as captain).”

Jordan McLean has been named stand-in captain with Michael Morgan out of action. Picture: Alix Sweeney

McLean, Morgan’s vice-captain, trumped Jason Taumalolo for the leadership duties and will remain in the role for at least three weeks.

Cowboys coach Paul Green said he hoped the captaincy brought out the best in McLean, now an established NRL player with 120 appearances.

“Macca was vice-captain when Morgo was captain, so it’s a natural progression for him to step up,” Green said.

“Taking the option up was a sign of confidence in where we’re going as a club.

“He has been a bit of a reluctant leader but he’s certainly got leadership qualities.

“By giving him the extra responsibility, hopefully that will bring out the best in him. I’m pretty confident that will be the case.”

The Cowboys made an encouraging start to the year with a second round victory over the Bulldogs but they are searching for their first win at the new QCB Stadium.