Darcy leads Dogs' wounded back

[BulldogBelle]

An article has surfaced on Luke Darcy here it is, it also has some news on some of our players aswell.

*****

Darcy leads Dogs' wounded back

Realfooty
Sam Lienert
January 27, 2007

THE SIGHT of Western Bulldogs big man Luke Darcy in the goal square during practice matches this week had buoyed teammates' spirits and boosted the club's 2007 prospects, captain Brad Johnson said yesterday.

Former skipper Darcy, on the comeback trail after missing consecutive seasons due to knee reconstructions, has had two short but competitive hitouts in intra-club mini-matches at training this week and will play in the NAB Cup pre-season competition. The Bulldogs' first game is against Sydney at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on February 24.

"He's really starting to move pretty well again, which is great to see when you're up the ground a little bit," Johnson said. "The big fella is standing in the goal square just at the moment and doing a few things down forward.

"It's exciting for the group to see him back and doing some competitive training."

Having played mostly as a ruckman in the past, the 31-year-old has been earmarked to spend more time forward this season.

With the Bulldogs having won a final for the first time in eight years in 2006, without Darcy, Johnson said he could be a key to the Dogs pushing towards a premiership this year.

"He's such a competitor and he wants to get back to his best form, so he's certainly keen to do that," said Johnson.

"(West Coast recruit) Andrew McDougall is the other one who could pinch-hit up forward for us as well, another tall target which we certainly need.

"It just changes the dynamics of our forward line a little bit and we could mix it and match it a bit more." Former Brisbane Lions Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis, who also played in yesterday's 15-minute practice match, was slotting in well, Johnson said.

"He found himself pushing through the midfield, forward, rotating through a few positions," Johnson said. "He's really just trying to understand how the whole side plays and getting to know how each individual within the team uses the ball and where they run and how they're going to kick it to him."

While Darcy will be ready to play from the start of the NAB Cup, coach Rodney Eade said key forward Robert Murphy, also returning from a knee injury, was not expected back until the Dogs' last two pre-season games.

Another who injured his knee in 2006, Mitch Hahn, is not expected back until after the beginning of the main season.

Midfielder Adam Cooney, whose osteitis pubis has recurred, was gradually making his way back to full fitness and aiming to play in the NAB Cup, Eade said.

"He's just got to get stronger in certain areas of his core," Eade told afl.com.au.

*****

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Great to hear about Darcy. He certainly has a very positive vibe that the other players feed off. Guys like Minson will be eager to play with him, particuarly because Darce could teach Minson a few tricks. He's missed out on that over the past 2 years.

I think it's amazing the amount of positive talk surrounding Andrew McDougall already, too. He's come back from a bit of an injury himself, but by all reports he has trained very well and is impressing a lot of people - both the coaching & players, and us supporters. Terrific; what a bonus he'd be at CHF.

It's hard not to get excited when you realise we've got Darcy, Aker, Murphy, Hahn & McDougall to come back into an already very talented side, and not to mention the improvement from guys like Griffen, Ray, Higgins, Minson etc.

This list could be capable of anything if they stay o the park IMHO.

[JPWoofer]

My only concern with Darc is he his now 31, and missing two seasons of footy that late in your a carrear can be tough. I think he is good enough to fire but time will tell. I am a little concered.

[GVGjr]

JPWoofer raises an interesting point. Is it more or less likely that Darcy can really come back after two knee operations and become a vital player for us again?

I'd like to think so but it's going to be a struggle for him.

[alwaysadog]

If determination is any help then he's a shoe in. I share your concerns, but on the positive side is that he is the most intense and driven player we've had for a long time and I've had a bet with him that I made 4 years ago. He gets a prime bottle of vintage red if we win a premiership in his time at the club. The bottle we are talking about will set me back more than a standard adult membership but I will feel no pain from the hip pocket nerve.

[Charmdog]

My only concern with Darc is he his now 31, and missing two seasons of footy that late in your a carrear can be tough. I think he is good enough to fire but time will tell. I am a little concered.

I think Darcy will do ok, he has kept himself fit and active since both of those knee injuries and from what I have read he also has done a lot of cycling. I think he may surprise a few people when he gets back. I know two reco's aren't the best way to come back but I have a feeling all is not over for Darce.