BulldogBelle
23-01-2007, 06:41 PM
This article is mostly about Mitch Hahn and how he is progressing along after his knee reco, good to see he is getting close to a return.
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Camp's like Bulldogs to water
22 January 2007 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams
MITCH Hahn might not have a return date pencilled in just yet, but he buoyed the Western Bulldogs' spirits with his fitness in the surf at the club's training camp last week at Point Addis.
The Dogs forward, who injured his knee against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in June, and veteran midfielder Scott West upstaged their teammates as the players put their ironman skills to the test.
Pre-season time-trials and running and skills sessions were replaced with a two-man kayak, board paddle and surf swim at the overnight camp near Torquay.
"I'm in rehab at the moment, so I've been doing a lot of swimming there so it gives you a bit of an advantage over the other guys," Hahn said.
"It was a bit of fun. For myself and those guys that were injured, that's our opportunity to show that we are still working hard because we're doing everything with the main group there.
"It's our opportunity to show the guys that we're fit and we're working hard. And even though you can't see it, we're doing just as much as you, but it's just not in the same situation.
"It was a little challenge for the rehab guys to give it to the main group. It was a little battle here."
Hahn is eager to be part of the main battle again, but is wary about placing too much emphasis on a comeback date.
"I don't have any pencilled in, but I'm hoping early home-and-away (season)," he said.
"I think too many guys put the focus on Round 1 and 'I'm going to come back on this day' and if it doesn't happen there's a lot of disappointment.
"It's not in my control at the moment. I will just keep ticking off the boxes and when I get there, I get there. When I'm ready, I'm ready."
Hahn, one of five Bulldogs on the comeback trail from serious knee injuries, began running before Christmas and hopes to be able to join in skills work with the main group in about two weeks.
However the 26-year-old knows even when he is match ready he will still have a job to recapture his place in the team after the Bulldogs' success last season.
"The guys have realised what you've got to do to be a successful team, and with a lot of guys coming back from injury it is going to be tough for guys to get a game," Hahn said.
"No one is guaranteed a spot. Myself, Murph (Robert Murphy), are not guaranteed to come straight back into the team because those guys did a great job at the end of last year.
"If we're not playing as good as we were when we got injured, then we'll be back at Werribee playing there until we earn our spot."
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Camp's like Bulldogs to water
22 January 2007 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams
MITCH Hahn might not have a return date pencilled in just yet, but he buoyed the Western Bulldogs' spirits with his fitness in the surf at the club's training camp last week at Point Addis.
The Dogs forward, who injured his knee against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in June, and veteran midfielder Scott West upstaged their teammates as the players put their ironman skills to the test.
Pre-season time-trials and running and skills sessions were replaced with a two-man kayak, board paddle and surf swim at the overnight camp near Torquay.
"I'm in rehab at the moment, so I've been doing a lot of swimming there so it gives you a bit of an advantage over the other guys," Hahn said.
"It was a bit of fun. For myself and those guys that were injured, that's our opportunity to show that we are still working hard because we're doing everything with the main group there.
"It's our opportunity to show the guys that we're fit and we're working hard. And even though you can't see it, we're doing just as much as you, but it's just not in the same situation.
"It was a little challenge for the rehab guys to give it to the main group. It was a little battle here."
Hahn is eager to be part of the main battle again, but is wary about placing too much emphasis on a comeback date.
"I don't have any pencilled in, but I'm hoping early home-and-away (season)," he said.
"I think too many guys put the focus on Round 1 and 'I'm going to come back on this day' and if it doesn't happen there's a lot of disappointment.
"It's not in my control at the moment. I will just keep ticking off the boxes and when I get there, I get there. When I'm ready, I'm ready."
Hahn, one of five Bulldogs on the comeback trail from serious knee injuries, began running before Christmas and hopes to be able to join in skills work with the main group in about two weeks.
However the 26-year-old knows even when he is match ready he will still have a job to recapture his place in the team after the Bulldogs' success last season.
"The guys have realised what you've got to do to be a successful team, and with a lot of guys coming back from injury it is going to be tough for guys to get a game," Hahn said.
"No one is guaranteed a spot. Myself, Murph (Robert Murphy), are not guaranteed to come straight back into the team because those guys did a great job at the end of last year.
"If we're not playing as good as we were when we got injured, then we'll be back at Werribee playing there until we earn our spot."
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