Runaway Bay Seagulls turn to veteran halfback Shaun Nipperess amid injury crisis

Eighteen months ago, Shaun Nipperess was undergoing heart surgery. Now he’s answering an SOS from Runaway Bay A-grade coach Nick Gleeson in the midst of a halves injury crisis.

EIGHTEEN months ago, Shaun Nipperess was undergoing heart surgery. Now he’s answering an SOS from Runaway Bay A-grade coach Nick Gleeson in the midst of a halves injury crisis.

The Rugby League Gold Coast reigning champions are without first choice halves Jimmy Poland and Steve Rooney for their Round 8 showdown with Southport at Owen Park on Sunday.

Thus the 37-year-old, who captain-coaches Bay’s reserves squad, will step up for his second A-grade appearance this season.

“It’s just good to be a leader amongst that group and show some experience and direction within the team,” he said.

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Born and bred south of the border in Casino, Nipperess was a NSW Country Schoolboys representative, played Intrust Super Cup for Souths Logan and has played footy for three decades now including stints at Tugun, Tweed, Currumbin and Cudgen.

Runaway Bay halfback Shaun Nipperess. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Last year was going to be my last year but in reserve grade we made it to the (preliminary final) and we lost by a field goal to Currumbin and we didn’t play that well,” he said.

“I couldn’t finish like that so I went one more year and the opportunity to captain-coach came along as well.”

That Nipperess even played last year could be considered fortunate to a degree given his rocky road in 2017.

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“July 2017 I actually had a minor stroke, it’s called a TIA (transient ischaemic attack),” the Palm Beach Currumbin State High teacher said.

“That came from, they found that I had a hole in the centre wall of the heart which a blood clot went through.

Runaway Bay five-eighth Jimmy Poland is out injured. Picture: Richard Gosling

“Apparently everyone has got this hole when they’re in the womb but when they are born it closes up but mine never did.

“In December the same year I had heart surgery and then last year I just started playing footy again.

“In the back of my mind it was sort of there, I just wanted to test my fitness and test what I could do but it never held me back.”

Bay’s opponents Southport are not without fitness dramas of their own, with halfback recruit Zac Walsh sidelined for a month with a pectoral injury.

Both sides have won four of their opening six games, with the winner moving into outright second on the ladder behind Burleigh.

Other Sunday action will see Currumbin travel to Bilambil and Ormeau host Tugun.