Rintoul's career in jeopardy

[Dale61]

28 May 2002 AFL
By ADAM COOPER of AAP

THE career of Collingwood onballer Chad Rintoul could be in jeopardy due to persistent mystery migraines which prevent him from training.

Rintoul, 27, who joined the Magpies at the start of last season from West Coast, has suffered migraines ever since he was concussed against Carlton in round three.

He was a late withdrawal before Collingwood's round four game against Hawthorn - paving the way for young star Mark McGough to make his debut - and has suffered migraines ever since, preventing him from training.

Collingwood football director Neil Balme said today the source of the problem was unknown despite several visits to neurosurgeons.

"We've tried everything," Balme said.

"It was a fairly innocuous concussion, there wasn't much in it, but he can't do a full training session.

"It's a case of giving him a week off and coming back next week and trying."

Collingwood has listed Rintoul as an injured player for the past six weeks, saying it would test the player at the end of each week.

Balme said Rintoul was frustrated by the persistent headaches and admitted his career was in jeopardy unless he could shrug off the problem.

"I suppose if he can't play it could threaten his career," Balme said.

"He's obviously concerned about it, he wants to train and wants to do his business but he just can't."

Rintoul has played 14 games for Collingwood, after two-year stints at Adelaide, where he was a member of the 1997 premiership side in his debut season, and West Coast.

He played 23 games for the Crows from 1997-98 and 39 games for the Eagles from 1999-2000.

He played 11 games in his first year with Collingwood, but had his good start with his third club ended in round five last year, when he broke his leg against Essendon on Anzac Day.

AAP


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