'Fatty' to reconstruct Eagles

AFTER a tough day out, some positive news can sometimes emerge to keep a team going.

In the Ipswich Eagles’ case, it is team of the decade midfielder Chris “Fatty” Devlin.

After having a right knee reconstruction in March, Devlin was unable to play this season.

However, the loyal clubman – approaching 150 games – has been helping the team with running and water duties.

He was at Limestone Park on Saturday as the Eagles were overrun 21.17-143 to 4.4-28 by competition leaders Beenleigh.

“Watching them lose hurts me as much as it hurts them,” Devlin said.

With three Division 2 matches left, the 115-point loss ended any chance the sixth-placed Eagles had of qualifying for the 2010 playoffs.

However, Devlin offered some welcome encouragement as the team starts focusing on next season.

“I’ve been able to start running for the last three weeks,” Devlin said.

“I can’t wait to play. I’ve missed it so much. I’ve actually been counting the games until it’s over so I don’t have to watch any more.”

Devlin had conventional surgery rather than the innovative LARS technique being used. That means it’s taken him longer to recover.

“I’m not allowed to do any twisting or any movement like that until next year,” he said.

However, he’s ready to return in 2011, having missed his first campaign in seven seasons with the Eagles. And Devlin urged his team-mates on as he always does.

“We want to finish the season strongly,” he said.

The Eagles Reserves, also out of finals contention, were outclassed by Beenleigh 16.13-109 to 6.6-42.