Docklands turf ruined me: Southern

[The Coon Dog]

Sam Lane - The Age - 14 April



FORMER Western Bulldog Daniel Southern has revealed he was warned off making a compensation claim that shaped as highly damaging for the AFL, but he remains convinced a poor playing surface ended his career.

Visiting Melbourne to be guest speaker at an AFL Players Association breakfast today after seven years living in Egypt, Southern told The Age how playing five consecutive matches in 2000 at the then Colonial Stadium ruined him physically.

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[LostDoggy]

Loved Danny Southern. When I was a kid I used to see him every now and again on my father's building sites, when he was working as a house painter. Bloody nice guy…

[LostDoggy]

I don't believe that Colonial Stadium ended Southerns career, Southern's physical degeneration from playing AFL football ended his career.

At the time everyone was complaining that the ground was hard and that players pulled up sore the week after yet were able to continue playing.

Didn't Danny also sue the club for Superannuation payment on top of his contract at the end of his career, even though he was a contractor responsible for his own tax and superannuation?.

[Danny the snakeman]

Your a legend Southo.

[bornadog]

I don't believe that Colonial Stadium ended Southerns career, Southern's physical degeneration from playing AFL football ended his career.

At the time everyone was complaining that the ground was hard and that players pulled up sore the week after yet were able to continue playing.

Didn't Danny also sue the club for Superannuation payment on top of his contract at the end of his career, even though he was a contractor responsible for his own tax and superannuation?.

How many players have complained about the same issue during that era, ie that the surface ruined their career. If it was an issue then why ahven't others players had the same problems?

[MrMahatma]

How many players have complained about the same issue during that era, ie that the surface ruined their career. If it was an issue then why ahven't others players had the same problems?

It's always been said it was hard. They used to aerate the surface to try and soften it.

It sounds like the surface was the straw that broke the camel's back though. He had his 10th knee op, but the 9 before weren't due to the surface.

The Lions used to always say that the hard Gabba surface would shorten their players' careers/predispose them to OP etc. Not sure if that ever actually eventuated.

[chef]

It's always been said it was hard. They used to aerate the surface to try and soften it.

It sounds like the surface was the straw that broke the camel's back though. He had his 10th knee op, but the 9 before weren't due to the surface.

The Lions used to always say that the hard Gabba surface would shorten their players' careers/predispose them to OP etc. Not sure if that ever actually eventuated.

Luke Power yesterday said the ground staff inject gel into the surface when they aerate it.