RUGBY LEAGUE
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Ten months ago, Mudgee Dragons fullback Jared Robinson was a shattered man.
He learnt his season was over before it really began.
Robinson suffered a horrific injury in the Dragons' 26-22 loss at home to Orange Hawks in the second round of the 2011 Group 10 season.
He fractured his ulna and dislocated his radius, which in turn pierced the ligament in his elbow.
The injury could not have come at a worse time for the Dragons' custodian.
He was gearing up to play for Group 10 in the country championships; a dream come true for the former junior representative.
He said the injury was hard to deal with.
"It was very difficult to start with. I kept going to training and the matches but I had to sit on the sidelines," Robinson said.
"It was hard to watch because I love playing, I love getting on the field. I find it difficult when it is the off-season let alone when I’m injured."
He had to watch as one-by-one his teammates joined him on the injured list and the Dragons were bundled out of the premiership race by Lithgow.
But all the pain and frustration the 23-year-old felt last year has subsided, and he is keen to get back on the paddock on Saturday.
The Dragons will play the Windsor Wolves in the Garry Longhurst Memorial Shield at Windsor.
When Robinson does run onto the field for the match, it will be 43 weeks of pain gone.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there," he said.
The former Group 10 fullback said he wants to get the confidence back in his game and hopefully play well enough to impress the Group 10 selectors.
"I want to get through the first few games, get them out of the way.
"I do want to be back in there [play for Group 10] but I just want to get through the pre-season then focus on playing good footy."
Robinson is no certainty of getting his Dragons number one jumper back with Terry Wood having a stellar 2011 season at the back.
"Yeah Terry played very well. I can't expect I will get my jumper back straight away," Robinson said.