chef
11-08-2010, 08:00 AM
A VIRUS has ripped through the Western Bulldogs, affecting as many as nine senior players.
At least four players - Dale Morris, Lindsay Gilbee, Liam Picken and Ryan Hargrave - felt ill during Sunday's win against Adelaide and the flu-like symptoms have spread.
Ruckman Ben Hudson and Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney were also feeling unwell yesterday.
Robert Murphy and Shaun Higgins, who missed the Crows match with the virus, are still in recovery mode with other players.
The club has been in lockdown for the past two days, with players and some staff keeping away.
It has been a major setback as the Dogs prepare for Saturday night's blockbuster with Geelong.
The players will attend the club today, allowing the coaching staff to assess where the list is at before selection for the Cats clash.
Although players such as Murphy and Higgins are improving, there are fears they may be late withdrawals this week if a fresh wave of players is hit.
"It has been floating around for a couple of weeks," Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said last night.
"It started with one or two and now there's more like eight or nine who have got it.
"Yesterday the weather was poor and a few boys were under the weather. Today was a day off ... we kept everyone out of the place. They'll be back tomorrow as usual and we'll see how they've come up."
The symptoms have been similar to a heavy chest and head cold, and it is understood it has affected the breathing of players.
Morris and Gilbee were said to have been particularly brave to front up against the Crows on Sunday.
They were both heavily affected, with Morris vomiting after the game.
Morris and Gilbee also struggled to communicate, losing their voices on game day.
If the game had been in Melbourne and the Dogs had extra players on hand, they may have been pulled out.
They both spent Monday in bed and it is unclear if they will be able to train today.
The Dogs are confident Murphy, a late withdrawal, will get up for the Cats.
The virus has also hit members of the coaching and fitness staff.
Meanwhile, defender Jarrod Harbrow is a chance to return from a cork above his knee against the Cats.
He also was a late withdrawal with a virus against North Melbourne in Round 18, and was injured at training in the lead-up to the Crows match.
Apart from illness, the Dogs returned from Adelaide unscathed
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/virus-rips-through-bulldogs/story-e6frf9jf-1225903672629
At least four players - Dale Morris, Lindsay Gilbee, Liam Picken and Ryan Hargrave - felt ill during Sunday's win against Adelaide and the flu-like symptoms have spread.
Ruckman Ben Hudson and Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney were also feeling unwell yesterday.
Robert Murphy and Shaun Higgins, who missed the Crows match with the virus, are still in recovery mode with other players.
The club has been in lockdown for the past two days, with players and some staff keeping away.
It has been a major setback as the Dogs prepare for Saturday night's blockbuster with Geelong.
The players will attend the club today, allowing the coaching staff to assess where the list is at before selection for the Cats clash.
Although players such as Murphy and Higgins are improving, there are fears they may be late withdrawals this week if a fresh wave of players is hit.
"It has been floating around for a couple of weeks," Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said last night.
"It started with one or two and now there's more like eight or nine who have got it.
"Yesterday the weather was poor and a few boys were under the weather. Today was a day off ... we kept everyone out of the place. They'll be back tomorrow as usual and we'll see how they've come up."
The symptoms have been similar to a heavy chest and head cold, and it is understood it has affected the breathing of players.
Morris and Gilbee were said to have been particularly brave to front up against the Crows on Sunday.
They were both heavily affected, with Morris vomiting after the game.
Morris and Gilbee also struggled to communicate, losing their voices on game day.
If the game had been in Melbourne and the Dogs had extra players on hand, they may have been pulled out.
They both spent Monday in bed and it is unclear if they will be able to train today.
The Dogs are confident Murphy, a late withdrawal, will get up for the Cats.
The virus has also hit members of the coaching and fitness staff.
Meanwhile, defender Jarrod Harbrow is a chance to return from a cork above his knee against the Cats.
He also was a late withdrawal with a virus against North Melbourne in Round 18, and was injured at training in the lead-up to the Crows match.
Apart from illness, the Dogs returned from Adelaide unscathed
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/virus-rips-through-bulldogs/story-e6frf9jf-1225903672629