Brisbane’s Kiwi international Josh Hoffman has revealed he feared for his health after a string of head knocks rocked his confidence.
After a strong start to 2012, the fearless Hoffman was heavily targeted, especially during the absence of the club’s stars during the State of Origin series when rival coaches saw him as the Broncos’ strike player.
He found himself on the receiving end of a number of brutal hits – some of them directly to the head – which he admits took a toll on him.
After being cleaned up by a legitimate bellringer from South Sydney powerhouse Greg Inglis in round 16, Hoffman was wiped out behind his own tryline by a shoulder charge from Cronulla’s Wade Graham – a hit which left him feeling physically ill.
“Those head knocks can take a lot out of you,” said the 24 year-old fullback, hoping to rediscover his early season form against Penrith on Friday night after being reinstated to fullback for the clash.
“You have to be wary because you’ve got life after football.
“It’s something I thought about after copping so many head knocks.
“It definitely rattled me but hopefully my confidence is back after playing on the wing for a few weeks.
“I’m fresh and ready to go.”
Hoffman said he would be following the advice given to him as a youngster by his uncle on Friday night.
“As a young kid my uncle was always teaching me to put up my guard and watch out for those swinging arms,” he laughed.
“The game is so fast, these things happen so quickly but I have to play that way.”
Hoffman hasn’t only learned the value of protecting his head but also protecting his prized No.1 jumper which he lost after being stood down for a game earlier this month by coach Anthony Griffin for disciplinary reasons.
He has played the last two games on the wing with Corey Norman – who has been named to play five-eighth on Friday – at fullback.
“It’s happened to me twice now and it snaps you back to reality,” conceded Hoffman who fought hard to win the fullback jumper when Karmichael Hunt defected to the AFL.
“Being on the wing has helped me realise how something like that can be quickly taken away from you.
“I’m just happy to be back in the number one jersey.”
Brisbane need Hoffman and Norman to strike up the combination they had with halfback Peter Wallace in the early rounds when they were on top of the competition.
“I started off the season with a bit of a spark but after that, it’s been lacking a bit,” he said.
“That’s another reason he (Griffin) put me out on the wing.
“That’s why on Friday night I’ll be doing everything I can to sniff around and push up with the big boys.”
