Adam Cooney lashed out at Brian Lake's knockers

[bornadog]

Mark Stevens



WESTERN Bulldogs star Adam Cooney has launched a spirited defence of teammate Brian Lake, slamming "fickle" critics of the struggling full-back.

Cooney said Lake had shown loyalty, putting the club ahead of himself, by playing last year's finals series with injuries.

After a string of post-season operations, he has struggled to reach the fitness level required to play AFL, but the Brownlow medallist has dismissed talk his close friend is lazy.

"A lot of people have been canning him this year, which I think is pretty unfair," Cooney said.

"Kicking a bloke when he's down is not great, but it's a pretty fickle industry, footy."

He said any supporters who had turned on Lake had short memories.

"He hurt his shoulder in one of the finals last year, then his knee and his hip," Cooney said.

"Come finals time, you do anything you can to get out there. To play through that, doing the team thing, is great by him.

"Hopefully the fans who have turned remember he was doing it pretty tough during the finals series last year."

Lake will miss another game at VFL level this weekend with a calf strain, but the Dogs remain hopeful he can return for Williamstown and make a late bid to make an impact at AFL level.

"I think everyone, including him, is thinking, 'What happened? Where have I gone wrong?'," Cooney said.

"He's done it pretty tough, but everyone at the club is supporting him."

Cooney can empathise with Lake, given he has endured his battle with knee soreness, attracting criticism for not working hard enough.

"It's the same thing as me, I suppose, people branding him lazy and saying he's got the wrong attitude - which is not right," he said.

"The thing that was letting him down was his body. Once your body is letting you down, it is hard to do the things you know you can do.

"It is similar to me. I can understand his frustration. He wants to do the things he was doing last year, but at the moment his body is not allowing him to do that.

"Obviously, he's pretty frustrated and he gets down on himself a bit."

[GVGjr]

There has been a fair bit of talk amongst internet Bulldog members about the pro's and con's of trading away Brian Lake at the end of the season. Brian and Adam are very good mates and their wives are best friends so I'm guessing it wouldn't sit well with Cooney if Lake was traded.

[chef]

There has been a fair bit of talk amongst internet Bulldog members about the pro's and con's of trading away Brian Lake at the end of the season. Brian and Adam are very good mates and their wives are best friends so I'm guessing it wouldn't sit well with Cooney if Lake was traded.

Weren't Grant and Everitt best mates too?

I am sure that would never come into it when it comes to list management.

[GVGjr]

Weren't Grant and Everitt best mates too?

I am sure that would never come into it when it comes to list management.

You don't think that Cooney would have no end of other clubs interested in him when he is coming out of contract?
I think he is that close to Lake that if he thought Brian was harshly dealt and there was little to no loyalty displayed at the club it could very well come into consideration for him at his next contract.

[chef]

You don't think that Cooney would have no end of other clubs interested in him when he is coming out of contract?
I think he is that close to Lake that if he thought Brian was harshly dealt and there was little to no loyalty displayed at the club it could very well come into consideration for him at his next contract.

I doubt he would want to leave the club even if Brian is traded, not that I want him traded.

Weren't Wira and Grant equally as good of friends?

[GVGjr]

I doubt he would want to leave the club even if Brian is traded, not that I want him traded.

I think you are underestimating things.

Weren't Wira and Grant equally as good of friends?

Don't get the link

[Desipura]

You don't think that Cooney would have no end of other clubs interested in him when he is coming out of contract?
I think he is that close to Lake that if he thought Brian was harshly dealt and there was little to no loyalty displayed at the club it could very well come into consideration for him at his next contract.

After reading the article, I have doubts on whether his knee will hold up for him to play another 7 years. It sounds like it could be over in a few years or he could be lucky and play until 30.
Either way, it is not convincing when he does not know if he is going to play each week.
When he is 27yo, Im not too sure a club would want to invest in someone with a history of a dodgy knee that is supposedly hanging by a thread (well that is how I read it)

[ledge]

Fire them up Coons good onya mate.

[ledge]

The Grant and Wira issue was another.
I remember a story years ago of Richmond players falling apart after Richmond traded a well respected player, according to the players it was like the soul of the club was ripped out.
It can be a very delicate issue.

[chef]

The Grant and Wira issue was another.
I remember a story years ago of Richmond players falling apart after Richmond traded a well respected player, according to the players it was like the soul of the club was ripped out.It can be a very delicate issue.

Like when Powell and Monty were traded?

[ledge]

Like when Powell and Monty were traded?

I think it was Neil Roberts.

[ledge]

Wira was traded, Grant was upset with Wallace about it and the ball started rolling..

[AndrewP6]

Great to see another public show of support from the playing group. Here's hoping Briza can get on top of whatever is keeping him out of the side. FWIW I reckon, apart from Eskygate, Cooney is doing well in his role.

[the banker]

Great that Cooney spoke out. Would love Brian to give an in depth interview to give us perspective.

He is a star of the Club and supporters would love to get confirmation from him on his enthusiasm for the game and the club and his determination to get over his injuries.

We wish Brian speed in his return to his best form and enjoyment of the game.