southerncross
10-03-2007, 11:46 PM
Darcy, Murphy make successful returns (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2007/03/10/1173478717062.html)
This from the Age
Darcy, Murphy make successful returns
March 10, 2007
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/03/10/GALL_PRACT_SS2_narrowweb__300x376.jpg Western Bulldogs utility Robert Murphy in action at Geelong in his first match as part of his comeback from knee surgery.
Photo: Pat Scala
Western Bulldogs stars Luke Darcy and Robert Murphy made successful returns and Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd booted seven goals, giving both sides cause for optimism from today's AFL practice match at Skilled Stadium.
The Bulldogs won the match 15.12 (102) to 13.13 (91).
But given the varied size of the teams, with the Dogs lining up with 29 players compared to the Bombers' 26, and the numerous stars missing for Essendon - including Dustin Fletcher and Scott Lucas - the result was of limited relevance.
More importantly, Darcy made it through his first match since round six, 2005, when he sustained the first of two serious knee injuries, coincidentally at the same ground.
Murphy also coped well with his first game since injuring his knee in round nine last season.
While neither player had a huge impact and both spent large periods on the bench, there were some promising signs.
Murphy kicked two goals, including a beauty with his first touch of the game, when he goaled off a step from about 45 metres.
Darcy spent time in the ruck and up forward as well as drifting back to be a loose man in defence at times, gathering 12 disposals, four marks and 10 hit-outs.
"You could tell he was rusty at times, he had a couple of possessions early, but I thought in the last half he really started to run and run well," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said of Darcy.
"He's pulled up pretty well so his fitness is okay so that was a plus."
"Murph pulled up well, he played the amount of gametime that we wanted him to play."
Adam Cooney slotted straight into form in his first match for the year, while fellow youngster Farren Ray was also in good touch in the midfield, as were Daniel Cross and Daniel Giansiracusa, with Giansiracusa also kicking three goals.
Ex-West Coast big man Andrew McDougall continued to show promise while former Brisbane Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis showed glimpses of his class.
The one down note was a corked thigh to young midfielder Shaun Higgins, but he should be okay to play next week.
The Bombers also had reasons to smile.
Lloyd, whose 2006 was ruined by a major hamstring injury, improved as the match went on, hitting top form in the second half when he kicked five goals, as the Bombers stormed back and hit the lead in the last term after trailing by several goals for most of the day.
"It was good to see Lloydy kick seven, every match he'll only get a little bit better," coach Kevin Sheedy said
Former skipper James Hird also starred with a stack of possessions and a snapped goal in the final term.
The Bombers would also have been delighted with the impressive form of young speedster Alwyn Davey, while fellow November draftees Leroy Jetta and Bachar Houli continued to shine.
Davey's chasing, tackling and smothering was brilliant and he also kicked two goals.
"You'd have to think that the fans will really enjoy seeing Alwyn Davey play, because he puts a bit of excitement into the game and he's a hunter isn't he?" Sheedy said.
"The (young players are) bringing speed into the side, that's their game, some of them."
Sheedy also enthused about young ruckman Jason Laycock, who has showed plenty in the pre-season after struggling with injuries for the past two years.
Mark Johnson, Mark McVeigh and Mal Michael were also good for the Bombers.
A minute's silence was held before the game and all players wore black armbands in honour of former AFL chairman Ron Evans, who died yesterday.
This from the Age
Darcy, Murphy make successful returns
March 10, 2007
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/03/10/GALL_PRACT_SS2_narrowweb__300x376.jpg Western Bulldogs utility Robert Murphy in action at Geelong in his first match as part of his comeback from knee surgery.
Photo: Pat Scala
Western Bulldogs stars Luke Darcy and Robert Murphy made successful returns and Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd booted seven goals, giving both sides cause for optimism from today's AFL practice match at Skilled Stadium.
The Bulldogs won the match 15.12 (102) to 13.13 (91).
But given the varied size of the teams, with the Dogs lining up with 29 players compared to the Bombers' 26, and the numerous stars missing for Essendon - including Dustin Fletcher and Scott Lucas - the result was of limited relevance.
More importantly, Darcy made it through his first match since round six, 2005, when he sustained the first of two serious knee injuries, coincidentally at the same ground.
Murphy also coped well with his first game since injuring his knee in round nine last season.
While neither player had a huge impact and both spent large periods on the bench, there were some promising signs.
Murphy kicked two goals, including a beauty with his first touch of the game, when he goaled off a step from about 45 metres.
Darcy spent time in the ruck and up forward as well as drifting back to be a loose man in defence at times, gathering 12 disposals, four marks and 10 hit-outs.
"You could tell he was rusty at times, he had a couple of possessions early, but I thought in the last half he really started to run and run well," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said of Darcy.
"He's pulled up pretty well so his fitness is okay so that was a plus."
"Murph pulled up well, he played the amount of gametime that we wanted him to play."
Adam Cooney slotted straight into form in his first match for the year, while fellow youngster Farren Ray was also in good touch in the midfield, as were Daniel Cross and Daniel Giansiracusa, with Giansiracusa also kicking three goals.
Ex-West Coast big man Andrew McDougall continued to show promise while former Brisbane Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis showed glimpses of his class.
The one down note was a corked thigh to young midfielder Shaun Higgins, but he should be okay to play next week.
The Bombers also had reasons to smile.
Lloyd, whose 2006 was ruined by a major hamstring injury, improved as the match went on, hitting top form in the second half when he kicked five goals, as the Bombers stormed back and hit the lead in the last term after trailing by several goals for most of the day.
"It was good to see Lloydy kick seven, every match he'll only get a little bit better," coach Kevin Sheedy said
Former skipper James Hird also starred with a stack of possessions and a snapped goal in the final term.
The Bombers would also have been delighted with the impressive form of young speedster Alwyn Davey, while fellow November draftees Leroy Jetta and Bachar Houli continued to shine.
Davey's chasing, tackling and smothering was brilliant and he also kicked two goals.
"You'd have to think that the fans will really enjoy seeing Alwyn Davey play, because he puts a bit of excitement into the game and he's a hunter isn't he?" Sheedy said.
"The (young players are) bringing speed into the side, that's their game, some of them."
Sheedy also enthused about young ruckman Jason Laycock, who has showed plenty in the pre-season after struggling with injuries for the past two years.
Mark Johnson, Mark McVeigh and Mal Michael were also good for the Bombers.
A minute's silence was held before the game and all players wore black armbands in honour of former AFL chairman Ron Evans, who died yesterday.