When former Blues player and back-to-back Reserves Premiership coach Damien Guengerich handed in his clipboard at the end of last season, many thought that he had stepped away from football.

However, the temptation proved too great for Gunga and earlier this year he laced up the boots to return to action alongside former Blues player Paul Sheehan.  The comeback did not go entirely to plan.  On 28 May, Dr Gunga, a practising osteopath, suffered a "corked thigh".  In a very rare complication, this knock, similar to those which he had suffered hundreds of times previously, developed into "Compartment Syndrome."  Two emergency and two further surgeries later, and almost a fortnight in hospital, Gunga is now resting at home nursing a skin graft 27cm x 5cm in size.  He expects to be "laid-up" for at least another month. 

When contacted last week, Gunga thanked all for those who have wished him a speedy recovery but observed that it had been “a pretty shocking month”. “Still pretty couch bound, skin graft very slow to heal, and tough being upright.  Please let the boys know that I've been following their progress very closely from the couch and they seem to be on track to better last year if they keep working hard and believe in each other. Hope to see them all soon.”

From all at Blues, get well soon Gunga!