Frawley expects a low-key return for Blumfield
11:41:25 AM Fri 11 July, 2003
Barry Levinson
afl.com.au
The inclusion of Justin Blumfield will provide a boost to Richmond’s side for Saturday’s encounter with Geelong at Telstra Dome, according to coach Danny Frawley.
But Frawley is not placing high expectations on the former Bomber, who is playing just his second game back after a nasty thigh injury.
Blumfield missed 10 weeks of football after tearing his rectus femoris (one of the quadriceps) from the bone and only returned to the field with Coburg in the VFL last weekend.
“He’ll be a great addition for us (but) we’ve got to be mindful of the fact that he’s probably not really match fit yet, but he’s going to be a dangerous player when he gets out on the ground,” Frawley declared.
“He’s been doing running now for eight weeks and played (under) a fair bit of mock pressure over the bye. The VFL didn’t have a game the week after the bye, so he had his first run last week and got a few touches, kicked a few goals.”
Blumfield has endured a frustrating time since crossing to the Tigers as a high-profile trade in October last year.
The Essendon premiership player was restricted by osteitis pubis during the pre-season and began the home-and-away season lacking match fitness.
He played the first four rounds of the season, tearing his quad against the Saints on Easter Monday.
“It’s been hard for him,” Frawley acknowledged, “But in saying that, you can only do what you can control and he couldn’t control the injury he had. His work-rate off the field has been sensational and he’s as keen as mustard to get out there tomorrow.”
11:41:25 AM Fri 11 July, 2003
Barry Levinson
afl.com.au
The inclusion of Justin Blumfield will provide a boost to Richmond’s side for Saturday’s encounter with Geelong at Telstra Dome, according to coach Danny Frawley.
But Frawley is not placing high expectations on the former Bomber, who is playing just his second game back after a nasty thigh injury.
Blumfield missed 10 weeks of football after tearing his rectus femoris (one of the quadriceps) from the bone and only returned to the field with Coburg in the VFL last weekend.
“He’ll be a great addition for us (but) we’ve got to be mindful of the fact that he’s probably not really match fit yet, but he’s going to be a dangerous player when he gets out on the ground,” Frawley declared.
“He’s been doing running now for eight weeks and played (under) a fair bit of mock pressure over the bye. The VFL didn’t have a game the week after the bye, so he had his first run last week and got a few touches, kicked a few goals.”
Blumfield has endured a frustrating time since crossing to the Tigers as a high-profile trade in October last year.
The Essendon premiership player was restricted by osteitis pubis during the pre-season and began the home-and-away season lacking match fitness.
He played the first four rounds of the season, tearing his quad against the Saints on Easter Monday.
“It’s been hard for him,” Frawley acknowledged, “But in saying that, you can only do what you can control and he couldn’t control the injury he had. His work-rate off the field has been sensational and he’s as keen as mustard to get out there tomorrow.”
