Boost for Tiger talent stocks
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
21 May, 2003
With six wins from eight rounds, Richmond can justifiably attack the rest of the season with confidence - particularly given the fact several key players appear set to return from long-term injuries within the next few weeks.
The likes of Ben Holland, Justin Blumfield, Brad Ottens, Duncan Kellaway and Marc Dragicevic are making solid progress on the comeback trail and should provide the Tigers with a significant boost in the second half of the 2003 season.
Here's Richmond's Football Manager Greg Hutchison's assessment of those players' progress in their injury rehabilitation and recovery.
Duncan Kellaway (thigh and hamstring problems)
"Duncan played again on the weekend with Coburg. He started in the midfield, played out a full game, and was okay . . . Look, he's probably going to take a bit more time because his preparation's been really limited. So, we've just got to keep being patient with him and try and help him through. He'd be a little frustrated, too, that he hasn't been achieving what he'd like to achieve so far this year. But his body seems sound . . . he just needs to be able to get out and train regularly and play regularly. Hopefully, he can return to senior footy sooner rather than later."
Marc Dragicevic (knee reconstruction and shin problems)
"Dragga's in a similar situation to Duncan. He's a bit sore in the shins and can't train as much as he would like during the course of a week. We've had to modify his program a bit, which impacts on his ability to play as hard as he would like. So, it's going to take a little while for him to get back to his desired level as well. He's had a few games back with Coburg now and he'd obviously be a bit disappointed and frustrated with the way he's been going. But it's more of a training thing. We just need to get him sound, so we can get him out there to train hard on a regular basis and then have him ready to play good football. He won't be able to compete at the level and with the intensity, unless he's able to do it on the training track. We played him on the half-back flank last weekend . . . he's also been played on a wing and a few different spots. He just needs to keep playing footy . . ."
Ben Holland (knee reconstruction and quadricep injury)
"Ben's probably a 50-50 chance to play in the VFL reserves with Coburg this week (Coburg seniors have a bye). He's been coming along a bit slowly with the quad. injury, but hopefully he'll be back this week. Once again, you just don't know how he's going to go until he gets out there and plays."
Brad Ottens (back surgery)
"Brad's been running a fair bit lately, which certainly is a good sign. Look, it's a pretty big thing when you have back surgery. It's hard for most people just to get around and live normally again following back surgery - and Brad's trying to play AFL football. But he'll be alright. We'll just keep the program going and, hopefully, he'll be back in action in around a month's time. It's really hard to know exactly when he will return - you just have to go on what you see with him. He is running now and he'll start doing some full-on ball work in two weeks' time. We'll just have to monitor him and see how he goes after that."
Justin Blumfield (thigh surgery)
"Justin is starting the running program this week, which is a really good, positive sign. He's recovered very well after the surgery and is on track to resume within a month as well."
Short-term injury casualties in skipper Wayne Campbell, versatile big man Ray Hall, and skilful utility Adam Houlihan will all undergo tests at training later this week, but at this stage are rated reasonable chances to return for Saturday night's big clash with the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco.
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
21 May, 2003
With six wins from eight rounds, Richmond can justifiably attack the rest of the season with confidence - particularly given the fact several key players appear set to return from long-term injuries within the next few weeks.
The likes of Ben Holland, Justin Blumfield, Brad Ottens, Duncan Kellaway and Marc Dragicevic are making solid progress on the comeback trail and should provide the Tigers with a significant boost in the second half of the 2003 season.
Here's Richmond's Football Manager Greg Hutchison's assessment of those players' progress in their injury rehabilitation and recovery.
Duncan Kellaway (thigh and hamstring problems)
"Duncan played again on the weekend with Coburg. He started in the midfield, played out a full game, and was okay . . . Look, he's probably going to take a bit more time because his preparation's been really limited. So, we've just got to keep being patient with him and try and help him through. He'd be a little frustrated, too, that he hasn't been achieving what he'd like to achieve so far this year. But his body seems sound . . . he just needs to be able to get out and train regularly and play regularly. Hopefully, he can return to senior footy sooner rather than later."
Marc Dragicevic (knee reconstruction and shin problems)
"Dragga's in a similar situation to Duncan. He's a bit sore in the shins and can't train as much as he would like during the course of a week. We've had to modify his program a bit, which impacts on his ability to play as hard as he would like. So, it's going to take a little while for him to get back to his desired level as well. He's had a few games back with Coburg now and he'd obviously be a bit disappointed and frustrated with the way he's been going. But it's more of a training thing. We just need to get him sound, so we can get him out there to train hard on a regular basis and then have him ready to play good football. He won't be able to compete at the level and with the intensity, unless he's able to do it on the training track. We played him on the half-back flank last weekend . . . he's also been played on a wing and a few different spots. He just needs to keep playing footy . . ."
Ben Holland (knee reconstruction and quadricep injury)
"Ben's probably a 50-50 chance to play in the VFL reserves with Coburg this week (Coburg seniors have a bye). He's been coming along a bit slowly with the quad. injury, but hopefully he'll be back this week. Once again, you just don't know how he's going to go until he gets out there and plays."
Brad Ottens (back surgery)
"Brad's been running a fair bit lately, which certainly is a good sign. Look, it's a pretty big thing when you have back surgery. It's hard for most people just to get around and live normally again following back surgery - and Brad's trying to play AFL football. But he'll be alright. We'll just keep the program going and, hopefully, he'll be back in action in around a month's time. It's really hard to know exactly when he will return - you just have to go on what you see with him. He is running now and he'll start doing some full-on ball work in two weeks' time. We'll just have to monitor him and see how he goes after that."
Justin Blumfield (thigh surgery)
"Justin is starting the running program this week, which is a really good, positive sign. He's recovered very well after the surgery and is on track to resume within a month as well."
Short-term injury casualties in skipper Wayne Campbell, versatile big man Ray Hall, and skilful utility Adam Houlihan will all undergo tests at training later this week, but at this stage are rated reasonable chances to return for Saturday night's big clash with the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco.
