Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Ashley Browne (AFL Media) May 24, 2018 5:38 PM
WESTERN Bulldogs ruckman Jordan Roughead rolled the dice with his long-term health when he took part in the 2016 Grand Final.
The risks he took and the hard conversations he had, have been revealed in a new book published this month.
Roughead sustained a hyphema (blood pooling in the front of the eye) during the preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney and his availability as the Bulldogs sought to end their 62-year premiership drought was a talking point.
In a chapter about AFL club doctors in the book, People of the Boot, The Triumphs and Tragedy of Australian Jews in Sport, it's been revealed Bulldogs doctor Jake Landsberger called an 8am meeting on Grand Final morning to inform Roughead of the risks he faced if he played that day.
Also in attendance at the meeting at the Brighton surgery of leading eye specialist Andrew Atkins was Roughead’s partner Bridget Davies, and the Bulldogs’ other club doctor, Gary Zimmerman.
After a final examination, Roughead was cleared to play. But then came the home truths.
“It could have bled again,” Jake Landsberger recalled. “One risk was permanent eye damage and the second was that if he bled again, he would instantly be taken out of the Grand Final, like he was in the preliminary final the week before.
Roughead told everyone in the room that he would play, irrespective of the risk. He said he didn’t care about the threat of permanent damage, nor of any discomfort during the match.
“If I end up losing sight in my eye then I’ll be a true one-eyed Bulldogs’ supporter,” he said.
Roughead was also reminded that he wouldn't be able to avoid being monitored during the game. The doctors would be on to him.
“I said to Jordan, every time you sit on the bench, and at every change, we’ll be looking at your eye and we can tell if you’re bleeding. You don’t have to tell us,” Landsberger said.
Roughead ended up not just playing but taking a key mark in the final quarter as the Bulldogs finally wrested the ascendancy from Sydney before winning by 22 points.
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
I'd take that risk.
I don't know that I'd really consider the alternative of not playing.
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
And I love that picture, have a look at Jack Macrae in the background with his gaze firmly on the cup at the same time he's touching the ribbon on his medal. Nobody is taking the cup that Jack and his mates won out of his eyesight!
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Geez amazing to think how close Tom Campbell came to being a potential premiership winning ruckman
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
That mark was a huge one though, just after JJ's goal was overruled.
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
The bravery and courage that players go through just stuns me. Thanks Roughie- I’m glad you didn’t pay the ultimate price
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
He's at time been maligned Jordan Roughead, but this snippet gives you more of an insight into what he's put his footy with us, and how committed he is. A true bullgod.
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bulldog Revolution
He's at time been maligned Jordan Roughead, but this snippet gives you more of an insight into what he's put his footy with us, and how committed he is. A true bullgod.
That's a great nickname for the premiership players, the bullgods!
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twodogs
That's a great nickname for the premiership players, the bullgods!
https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GL...2Fbullgods.JPG
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Yep, Danny gets the credit,
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twodogs
Yep, Danny gets the credit,
If Roughy's back, surely it's time Danny came back into the side
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bornadog
Ashley Browne (AFL Media) May 24, 2018 5:38 PM
Roughead told everyone in the room that he would play, irrespective of the risk. He said he didn’t care about the threat of permanent damage, nor of any discomfort during the match.
“If I end up losing sight in my eye then I’ll be a true one-eyed Bulldogs’ supporter,” he said.
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I love the fact that he found the dad joke in all of this!
It really is insane the lengths professional sportspeople will put themselves through for ultimate glory. I know I certainly wouldn't have it in me.
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Big decision. I'm not sure it sits well with me him bleeding halfway through the first and our ruckman being taken out of the game. Could have been the difference, especially considering the game Tom had being freed up.
History says it was worth it, but it would be a very Bulldog experience to watch him run off in the first quarter ;)
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Daughter of the West
I love the fact that he found the dad joke in all of this!
It really is insane the lengths professional sportspeople will put themselves through for ultimate glory. I know I certainly wouldn't have it in me.
They don't want to live with the "what ifs?" I reckon. That's what sets them aside from you and me. It's a form of insanity.
Re: Bulldog reveals he risked eyesight in flag win
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The bulldog tragician
The bravery and courage that players go through just stuns me. Thanks Roughie- I’m glad you didn’t pay the ultimate price
Yeah amazing bravery and courage. Both Roughy and Morris.
I need to watch the grand final again soon and relieve our greatest moment in our clubs history.
