Warwick Giddey injured for six weeks

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 1998 at 12:23 PM ET

Melbourne Tigers, their unsuccessful NBL title defence hampered by constant illness and injury, have suffered a significant casualty in the lead-up to the new season. Veteran forward Warrick Giddey has broken his left arm in an exhibition game and will miss the next six to eight weeks, ruling him out of at least the first month of the new season, which starts on October 9. Giddey fractured the ulna on Friday when he took a charge from Adelaide guard Rupert Sapwell. His arm took the force of the fall. "It'll be the first game I've missed in 10 years," Giddey, a veteran of 352 NBL games said. "It's a clean fracture and there's no need for pins or plates, which is good. "It'll be in the cast for about six weeks and then it depends how well it heals. It might be one or two weeks after that before I play."

One thing is certain, Giddey will miss the inaugural derby between the Tigers and Victoria Titans on October 10. Daniel Egan, who had been starting in place of Giddey during the exhibition season, now has an extended chance to claim the small forward role. Centre Mark Bradtke is also injured. Bradtke broke a bone in his left hand last week. He is able to tape it and play, but is suffering discomfort. The Tigers lost both games on their weekend trip to Adelaide, where they played the Sixers and Wildcats. They play West Sydney Razorbacks at Knox on Friday night. GIANTS coach Brett Brown, without a job after the Titans merger, flew to the US yesterday, aiming to land a job in the NBA. Brown's best option appears to be with the San Antonio Spurs.

*This article taken directly from the Australian