G-Mo77
15-06-2011, 11:10 AM
http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/05/10/1226053/561399-brian-lake.jpg
BRIAN Lake will not be given a gold pass back into the Western Bulldogs and faces another week in the VFL.
The All-Australian full-back trained strongly yesterday and appears ready, but the Dogs have him penciled in as most likely to play at Williamstown.
Despite the importance of Friday night's clash with Adelaide, the Dogs are leaning towards giving Lake time to find confidence.
"We're keeping our fingers crossed he'll be right to play this week ... most likely Williamstown I'd say," football manager James Fantasia said.
Lake kicked three goals in the final quarter of the Round 11 loss to Geelong, but withdrew from Friday night's clash against St Kilda with groin soreness.
It may take one match at VFL level to convince the match committee he is ready to return, but Lake may have to earn his spot.
"It's about him getting some confidence in his own body and I think that's coming," Fantasia said. "To his credit, he's done everything right. He's done a bit extra."
Adam Cooney and Barry Hall will come back into the senior team if they can prove their fitness. Cooney, who has missed four matches, continues to battle knee soreness.
The Dogs have upgraded his training load and are confident he will get up for Friday night.
"He's getting some swelling and it's sore and it's causing him discomfort," Fantasia said.
"We're confident he can get past that and hopefully it's this Friday night."
Hall, hampered by an ankle injury, is 50-50.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/back-to-vfl-for-brian-lake/story-e6frf9jf-1226075252729
BRIAN Lake will not be given a gold pass back into the Western Bulldogs and faces another week in the VFL.
The All-Australian full-back trained strongly yesterday and appears ready, but the Dogs have him penciled in as most likely to play at Williamstown.
Despite the importance of Friday night's clash with Adelaide, the Dogs are leaning towards giving Lake time to find confidence.
"We're keeping our fingers crossed he'll be right to play this week ... most likely Williamstown I'd say," football manager James Fantasia said.
Lake kicked three goals in the final quarter of the Round 11 loss to Geelong, but withdrew from Friday night's clash against St Kilda with groin soreness.
It may take one match at VFL level to convince the match committee he is ready to return, but Lake may have to earn his spot.
"It's about him getting some confidence in his own body and I think that's coming," Fantasia said. "To his credit, he's done everything right. He's done a bit extra."
Adam Cooney and Barry Hall will come back into the senior team if they can prove their fitness. Cooney, who has missed four matches, continues to battle knee soreness.
The Dogs have upgraded his training load and are confident he will get up for Friday night.
"He's getting some swelling and it's sore and it's causing him discomfort," Fantasia said.
"We're confident he can get past that and hopefully it's this Friday night."
Hall, hampered by an ankle injury, is 50-50.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/back-to-vfl-for-brian-lake/story-e6frf9jf-1226075252729