GVGjr
04-04-2007, 05:23 AM
Bulldogs lose Grant for ten weeks (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/bulldogs-lose-grant-for-ten-weeks/2007/04/04/1175366252663.html)
THE Western Bulldogs had hoped Chris Grant might play about 15 games this year, but that his absences would be staggered strategically throughout the season to nurse the veteran through to finals.
Now, after surgery to shave a bone spur in his pubic bone on Monday night, he will miss the first half of the season and most likely will manage a handful of games before a hoped-for Bulldogs finals appearance.
The Dogs chose to act now and avoid a quick fix that would allow the club's games record-holder to battle through the early season but require injections just to train.
"It is actually elective surgery that he has chosen … we felt better for his chances if we make the finals," coach Rodney Eade said yesterday.
"The other option of playing under painkillers and hoping that it rectifies itself would then impact on his footy fitness and make him go downhill.
"The fact is he has not had an enormous pre-season because he had a bit of time off … we think it is the best chance to have eight or 10 weeks off, have the operation and come back for the second half of the season."
The problem was not picked up in early pre-season when Grant first felt discomfort as it was diagnosed as likely to be a muscular problem, but as the season approached, he felt a more acute "shearing" pain.
Meanwhile, Bulldogs president David Smorgon telephoned his Richmond counterpart Gary March yesterday to make peace after the pair traded blows through the media.
Smorgon last night described the conversation as "lengthy, constructive and private" and thanked March for taking his call.
The call came after comments by Smorgon on radio on Sunday criticising Nathan Brown for selfish behaviour when at the Bulldogs and accusing the player of leaving to chase more money.
The comments prompted March to attack Smorgon, who he said should instead focus on rectifying problems at his own club, which had been starved of football or financial success for more than half a century.
"They haven't won a premiership for over 50 years and haven't made a profit in about the same time," March said.
"I can't remember the last time they made a profit and they are having a crack at us and our players. I just won't cop that."
Richmond football director Greg Miller, who recruited Brown to the Tigers, turned up the heat slightly between the two clubs yesterday.
"I have my own history with David Smorgon when I was at the Kangaroos (as chief executive), so I will leave a chapter in my book for that … he was shocking, he was shocking," Miller said of Smorgon on SEN.
"The trade was nothing to do with money.
"Browny needed a change just as Jason Akermanis needed a change — no different — and Browny had a few clubs chasing him.
"It wasn't a big contract in the end and I believe the deal was no different to what the Bulldogs offered him to stay.
"We did the deal — they were more than satisfied with what they got out of the deal in terms of draft choices and I thought we had moved on."
Smorgon had noted that the Bulldogs were a better club without Brown.
When asked yesterday if the Dogs would be a better team with Brown in the side, Eade smiled and replied: "He would certainly play in our side — he is a great player and he would certainly fit in very nicely as a forward and midfield option in our team."
THE Western Bulldogs had hoped Chris Grant might play about 15 games this year, but that his absences would be staggered strategically throughout the season to nurse the veteran through to finals.
Now, after surgery to shave a bone spur in his pubic bone on Monday night, he will miss the first half of the season and most likely will manage a handful of games before a hoped-for Bulldogs finals appearance.
The Dogs chose to act now and avoid a quick fix that would allow the club's games record-holder to battle through the early season but require injections just to train.
"It is actually elective surgery that he has chosen … we felt better for his chances if we make the finals," coach Rodney Eade said yesterday.
"The other option of playing under painkillers and hoping that it rectifies itself would then impact on his footy fitness and make him go downhill.
"The fact is he has not had an enormous pre-season because he had a bit of time off … we think it is the best chance to have eight or 10 weeks off, have the operation and come back for the second half of the season."
The problem was not picked up in early pre-season when Grant first felt discomfort as it was diagnosed as likely to be a muscular problem, but as the season approached, he felt a more acute "shearing" pain.
Meanwhile, Bulldogs president David Smorgon telephoned his Richmond counterpart Gary March yesterday to make peace after the pair traded blows through the media.
Smorgon last night described the conversation as "lengthy, constructive and private" and thanked March for taking his call.
The call came after comments by Smorgon on radio on Sunday criticising Nathan Brown for selfish behaviour when at the Bulldogs and accusing the player of leaving to chase more money.
The comments prompted March to attack Smorgon, who he said should instead focus on rectifying problems at his own club, which had been starved of football or financial success for more than half a century.
"They haven't won a premiership for over 50 years and haven't made a profit in about the same time," March said.
"I can't remember the last time they made a profit and they are having a crack at us and our players. I just won't cop that."
Richmond football director Greg Miller, who recruited Brown to the Tigers, turned up the heat slightly between the two clubs yesterday.
"I have my own history with David Smorgon when I was at the Kangaroos (as chief executive), so I will leave a chapter in my book for that … he was shocking, he was shocking," Miller said of Smorgon on SEN.
"The trade was nothing to do with money.
"Browny needed a change just as Jason Akermanis needed a change — no different — and Browny had a few clubs chasing him.
"It wasn't a big contract in the end and I believe the deal was no different to what the Bulldogs offered him to stay.
"We did the deal — they were more than satisfied with what they got out of the deal in terms of draft choices and I thought we had moved on."
Smorgon had noted that the Bulldogs were a better club without Brown.
When asked yesterday if the Dogs would be a better team with Brown in the side, Eade smiled and replied: "He would certainly play in our side — he is a great player and he would certainly fit in very nicely as a forward and midfield option in our team."