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Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
11:19:25 AM Mon 16 December, 2002
While there's been plenty of focus in recent weeks on Richmond's midfield 'recruits' (Johnson, Blumfield, Fleming and Nicholls), one young Tiger is quietly, but determinedly going about his business, hoping that an overdue change of luck will also see him slot into that crucial on-field department at some stage in 2003.
Marc Dragicevic is steadily recovering from his second total knee reconstruction in two years, and he can't wait to get back out on the park and play footy again.
"It's coming along nicely at the moment," was Dragicevic's reply to the inevitable first-up question.
"I've been joining in the drills most of this pre-season and doing everything, so I'm a happy boy at the moment. The knee's feeling good and I suppose it's a case of fingers crossed now."
'Dragga' tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the second time in the opening 30 seconds of Richmond's Wizard Cup win over Carlton at Telstra Dome (formerly Colonial Stadium) on March 1 this year. It was only his third appearance for the Tigers since he first injured his knee against the Kangaroos in Round 6 of the 2001 season, also at Telstra Dome.
He spent the 2002 premiership season preparing himself, both physically and mentally, for the significant challenge of making a successful comeback to AFL football after virtually two years on the sidelines.
"I'm just very keen at the moment and really motivated, which is a good thing. I think if the mind's all right, the body will follow," Dragicevic said.
"I'm the sort of person who'll set pretty high goals and high standards, so I'd like to play 22 senior games next season. But I know it's going to be hard to do that.
"Basically, next year, I just want to play 22 games, wherever it might be. I just want to get through it okay and get some confidence back."
Although Dragicevic's immediate aim is simply to play the game he loves each week, he has his sights set on a specific role within the senior ranks.
"I've always said that I play my best footy in the midfield, so I really want to work on my fitness during the pre-season, because you need good, hard-running players in there,'' Dragicevic said.
"I suppose I'll try and take up a role as maybe an in-and-under type player -- a bit of a Paul Broderick type."
And, anyone who's seen a bulked-up Dragga at training recently, wouldn't be surprised that he's keen to model his game on 'Brodders', who had such an impact in the midfield during his time at Tigerland.
Dragga said that he had put on 9kg since he first damaged his knee in 2001. He now tips the scales at 85kg, making him about the same weight as P. Broderick in his playing prime.
"Once I did the first one (knee), the plan was to try and work on my upper body and I've been pleased with the way that's gone," he said.
"You need the fitness to run in the midfield, but you also need some strength to help you compete in there."
richmondfc.com.au
11:19:25 AM Mon 16 December, 2002
While there's been plenty of focus in recent weeks on Richmond's midfield 'recruits' (Johnson, Blumfield, Fleming and Nicholls), one young Tiger is quietly, but determinedly going about his business, hoping that an overdue change of luck will also see him slot into that crucial on-field department at some stage in 2003.
Marc Dragicevic is steadily recovering from his second total knee reconstruction in two years, and he can't wait to get back out on the park and play footy again.
"It's coming along nicely at the moment," was Dragicevic's reply to the inevitable first-up question.
"I've been joining in the drills most of this pre-season and doing everything, so I'm a happy boy at the moment. The knee's feeling good and I suppose it's a case of fingers crossed now."
'Dragga' tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the second time in the opening 30 seconds of Richmond's Wizard Cup win over Carlton at Telstra Dome (formerly Colonial Stadium) on March 1 this year. It was only his third appearance for the Tigers since he first injured his knee against the Kangaroos in Round 6 of the 2001 season, also at Telstra Dome.
He spent the 2002 premiership season preparing himself, both physically and mentally, for the significant challenge of making a successful comeback to AFL football after virtually two years on the sidelines.
"I'm just very keen at the moment and really motivated, which is a good thing. I think if the mind's all right, the body will follow," Dragicevic said.
"I'm the sort of person who'll set pretty high goals and high standards, so I'd like to play 22 senior games next season. But I know it's going to be hard to do that.
"Basically, next year, I just want to play 22 games, wherever it might be. I just want to get through it okay and get some confidence back."
Although Dragicevic's immediate aim is simply to play the game he loves each week, he has his sights set on a specific role within the senior ranks.
"I've always said that I play my best footy in the midfield, so I really want to work on my fitness during the pre-season, because you need good, hard-running players in there,'' Dragicevic said.
"I suppose I'll try and take up a role as maybe an in-and-under type player -- a bit of a Paul Broderick type."
And, anyone who's seen a bulked-up Dragga at training recently, wouldn't be surprised that he's keen to model his game on 'Brodders', who had such an impact in the midfield during his time at Tigerland.
Dragga said that he had put on 9kg since he first damaged his knee in 2001. He now tips the scales at 85kg, making him about the same weight as P. Broderick in his playing prime.
"Once I did the first one (knee), the plan was to try and work on my upper body and I've been pleased with the way that's gone," he said.
"You need the fitness to run in the midfield, but you also need some strength to help you compete in there."
