Daly Cherry-Evans using anti-gravity treadmill in bid to be fit for Origin I
Daly Cherry-Evans is set to pull off a Maroons miracle with the Queensland halfback turning to technology invented by NASA to rocket into the frame for Origin I.
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Daly Cherry-Evans is set to pull off a Maroons miracle with the Queensland halfback turning to technology invented by NASA to rocket into the frame for Origin I.
Injured Maroons No.7 Cherry-Evans is firming for selection for the series opener on Wednesday week after summoning the wonders of space science to accelerate his recovery by almost 21 days.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Cherry-Evans has been using two devices — the NASA-developed Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill and a $3000 icing compression machine — to keep his selection hopes alive for Game One at Suncorp Stadium.
Cherry-Evans underwent ankle tightrope surgery on April 30, an operation which usually requires an eight to 10-week recovery — a scenario which would have ruled him out of the first two Origin matches.
But around-the-clock icing with the Game Ready device, which uses spacesuit technology, and running on an anti-gravity treadmill, which reduces body weight by 80 per cent, has Cherry-Evans ready for Origin takeoff.
Cherry-Evans is set to join Kieran Foran as the only NRL players to return from ankle tightrope surgery in five-and-a-half weeks. Manly doctors have contacted Queensland medicos to reveal they are stunned by the playmaker’s progress.
Leading Brisbane-based physiotherapist Brien Seeney, who operates the popular NRL Physio social-media account, said Cherry-Evans’ NASA-inspired rehabilitation has saved his Origin series.
“The anti-gravity treadmill uses air pressure to reduce the weight of the athlete while walking or running,” Seeney said.
“The benefit in recovery from syndesmosis tightrope surgery is it allows an earlier return to these activities without the significant impact forces full weight-bearing brings.
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“The Game Ready device combines compression and cold therapy in an attempt to reduce pain and swelling post-surgery, once again allowing the players to move sooner without pain.
“Both options aim to accelerate the recovery process and allow players to engage in loading rehab, such as running, much sooner.
“This season, Kieran Foran achieved the quickest NRL return (from ankle tightrope surgery) at just 5.5 weeks post-surgery and has gone on to put in two near man-of-the-match performances.
“With that in mind, Cherry-Evans has a good chance to play if his rehab goes perfectly.”
Cherry-Evans has run six times in the past fortnight. Underlining his dedication, he has been buying two bags of ice daily from his local service station for the past three weeks to operate the Game Ready device.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail a fortnight ago, Cherry-Evans assured Queensland fans he would not put himself before the team’s best interests.
“I will only make myself available if I’m fully fit,” he said.
“The first two weeks are the most important part where the ligaments are growing back together and I’m reducing the swelling from surgery.”
Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans using anti-gravity treadmill in bid to be fit for Origin I
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