GVGjr
31-03-2007, 07:14 AM
No pussy footing for Darcy (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/no-pussy-footing-for-darcy/2007/03/30/1174761753720.html)
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has no plans to ease veteran Luke Darcy through his comeback AFL match against Geelong tomorrow.
The ruck-forward will play his first AFL match since 2005 after having two knee reconstructions.
After his first operation, Darcy re-injured his knee during a pre-season match last season, which required another round of surgery and rehabilitation.
Eade said Darcy would play at least three-quarters of the opening-round clash, as would forward Robert Murphy, who has been out of action with a knee injury since round nine last year.
"They're really fit, they've had a lot of running so their fitness level is pretty good and they've played three [practice] games," Eade said.
"Luke has done an enormous amount of work - I don't think his body is going to be any issue, it's just going to take him and Murphy a few weeks to get back to 100 per cent … but there is no doubt they'll add to us on the weekend."
Eade, however, wasn't prepared to take a chance with veteran key-position player Chris Grant, who has battled an injured groin.
Cameron Wight is likely to be given the job of containing Geelong big man Brad Ottens, with regular fullback Brian Harris also missing from the Bulldogs' line-up due to suspension.
Although Grant's height would give the Bulldogs a much-needed boost against the Cats, Eade said he wasn't ready to play.
"His groin is OK but he just hasn't had enough work. We don't want to take anyone into the first round with any sort of fitness doubt. Except for finals round one is probably the quickest game of season, so we're not going to risk anybody."
As the Dogs look to improve on their sixth-place finish last season, Eade said he was delighted by his squad's preparation and felt they had "stepped up by about 10 per cent from last pre-season".
High-profile Brisbane recruit Jason Akermanis will make his Bulldogs competition debut, but Eade said he wasn't expecting a match-winning performance.
"We don't expect that he kicks six goals or get 30 possessions, but like Darcy or Murphy, we expect him to contribute to the team ethic and what we want to do to get a result."
Only a point separated the sides at their most recent meeting, and despite being under-manned, the Bulldogs will start favourites after the Cats faded to finish last season in 10th.
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has no plans to ease veteran Luke Darcy through his comeback AFL match against Geelong tomorrow.
The ruck-forward will play his first AFL match since 2005 after having two knee reconstructions.
After his first operation, Darcy re-injured his knee during a pre-season match last season, which required another round of surgery and rehabilitation.
Eade said Darcy would play at least three-quarters of the opening-round clash, as would forward Robert Murphy, who has been out of action with a knee injury since round nine last year.
"They're really fit, they've had a lot of running so their fitness level is pretty good and they've played three [practice] games," Eade said.
"Luke has done an enormous amount of work - I don't think his body is going to be any issue, it's just going to take him and Murphy a few weeks to get back to 100 per cent … but there is no doubt they'll add to us on the weekend."
Eade, however, wasn't prepared to take a chance with veteran key-position player Chris Grant, who has battled an injured groin.
Cameron Wight is likely to be given the job of containing Geelong big man Brad Ottens, with regular fullback Brian Harris also missing from the Bulldogs' line-up due to suspension.
Although Grant's height would give the Bulldogs a much-needed boost against the Cats, Eade said he wasn't ready to play.
"His groin is OK but he just hasn't had enough work. We don't want to take anyone into the first round with any sort of fitness doubt. Except for finals round one is probably the quickest game of season, so we're not going to risk anybody."
As the Dogs look to improve on their sixth-place finish last season, Eade said he was delighted by his squad's preparation and felt they had "stepped up by about 10 per cent from last pre-season".
High-profile Brisbane recruit Jason Akermanis will make his Bulldogs competition debut, but Eade said he wasn't expecting a match-winning performance.
"We don't expect that he kicks six goals or get 30 possessions, but like Darcy or Murphy, we expect him to contribute to the team ethic and what we want to do to get a result."
Only a point separated the sides at their most recent meeting, and despite being under-manned, the Bulldogs will start favourites after the Cats faded to finish last season in 10th.