From Broke And Back

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday July 20, 2004

By BRETT KEBLE

There was a time when Steve Simpson, who hails from Broke, was unbreakable.

When he played his 100th first-grade game against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on March 28 last year, he equalled a 10-year-old

premiership record set by

former NSW and Australian fullback Tim Brasher.

Having made his debut against the same team at the same ground in 1999, then

playing 83 games in a row, it was his 100th senior game from a possible 101.

But his luck ran out that night. He tore a groin muscle that required surgery and kept him out for the next two months.

Further groin problems and bruised kidneys ruled him out of State of Origin contention but he finished the season on a high note when he played four Tests against New Zealand and Great Britain on the Kangaroo Tour.

Any hopes of regaining the NSW jersey he wore in 2002, or adding to his five Test caps, were dashed before this season had even warmed up.

After just two games, Simpson was diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his right foot which meant another stint under the surgeon's knife and another 17 weeks of rehab and recovery.

Since racking up his century in record time, he has played 17 out of a possible 41 games, including three from 19 this year.