Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

[The Coon Dog]

Last week we were able to manage Shaun Higgins & take him off for the last quarter against Hawthorn which enabled him to recover from sore groins in time to play Collingwood. Had he not recovered sufficiently he would not have played last night.

In his post match presser Rocket made mention of playing consecutive games at Etihad Stadium & its effects on the joints. He said that the ground was a bit 'softer' this week in comparison to last week.

Apart from round 20 when we play at the Gabba, all our remaining games are at Etihad Stadium.

When this season's draw was first conceived by the AFL I know that the club did try to have 1 or 2 games shifted because of concerns about playing so many consecutive games at the ground.

Players I think that may be susceptible are Shaun Higgins (groin), Adam Cooney (knee), Robert Murphy (knee) & Tom Williams (ankle). There are probably others with niggles of some type & of course Johnno, Welsh & Aker who are getting on a bit.

It will be interesting to see what approach we take on this issue & it is something that could impact later in the season.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

When every team's draw is evaluated in the press, the fact that we close out our season predominantly at Docklands is seen as a positive, but with the potential impact on sore bodies/injuries and the fact we play top 8 teams there (bar WA teams) it gives you a different perspective

[LostDoggy]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

Coon Dog are we looking for excuses for the side after a narrow loss?
It never seems to be an issue when we win but the hard ground and the 6 day breaks get a fair old mention whenever we drop a game.
As far as I could tell we got out coached and out played for the better part of 3 quarters and yet nearly stole the game. A better performance from a few of our players and we would have won the game.
We have a number of games at Etihad so I would expect that our fitness and coaching guys should be able to work around any ground issues we need to deal with.
We hardly pushed ourselves against Hawthorn last week and put the cue in the rack for the last quarter and then last night we finished strongly so I don't think the ground is the problem.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

Coon Dog are we looking for excuses for the side after a narrow loss?
It never seems to be an issue when we win but the hard ground and the 6 day breaks get a fair old mention whenever we drop a game.
As far as I could tell we got out coached and out played for the better part of 3 quarters and yet nearly stole the game. A better performance from a few of our players and we would have won the game.
We have a number of games at Etihad so I would expect that our fitness and coaching guys should be able to work around any ground issues we need to deal with.
We hardly pushed ourselves against Hawthorn last week and put the cue in the rack for the last quarter and then last night we finished strongly so I don't think the ground is the problem.

He never mentioned last nights game.

How can it be an excuse for something that hasn't happened?

All he was doing is mentioning something that might be an issue we might have to deal with.

Certainly Higgins was carrying bis groin last night and I would expect he will be rested at some point before the finals.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

We face West Coast & Fremantle at the dome back to back..I think this should be when we rest a few of players you mentioned TCD..

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

He never mentioned last nights game.

How can it be an excuse for something that hasn't happened?

All he was doing is mentioning something that might be an issue we might have to deal with.

Certainly Higgins was carrying bis groin last night and I would expect he will be rested at some point before the finals.

Spot on Sockeye. Last night's or last week's results were irrelevant, it's more looking forward & the potential for minor niggles to become exacerbated more than normal.

Also trying to highlight the importance of managing injuries on an unforgiving surface.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

Yeah, good point TCD.

The most annoying part of last night's loss is how close Collingwood are to us. Would have loved a bit of top breathing space so we could give a rest to guys who need in later in the season.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

Better playing at Telstra Dome that having to fly across the country every second week leading into the finals

[Scorlibo]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

The only way playing on a certain ground will have an effect on the players is if they think that it will and get the whole placebo effect happening.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

The only way playing on a certain ground will have an effect on the players is if they think that it will and get the whole placebo effect happening.

So, you're saying its all in the mind? Medical opinions may dictate otherwise.

As I said in the OP, Higgo was touch & go to play last night.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

I think that the team had really set themselves for a tough game last week, and I also think it is hard to get that mental intensity right every week. We didn't look switched on at all last night, possibly because of our great record against the Pies of late caught them off guard. We will need to rest some players when we play West Coast and Fremantle.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

I think that the team had really set themselves for a tough game last week, and I also think it is hard to get that mental intensity right every week. We didn't look switched on at all last night, possibly because of our great record against the Pies of late caught them off guard. We will need to rest some players when we play West Coast and Fremantle.

Can I just reiterate, this thread has nothing to do with winning or losing, just player welfare/management.

[Scorlibo]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

So, you're saying its all in the mind? Medical opinions may dictate otherwise.

As I said in the OP, Higgo was touch & go to play last night.

Yes that's right, after all the training and extra stress these guys go through do you really think the slight hardness of the ground has anything to do with anybody being 'touch and go' to play? As Chopper Reid would say . . .

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

Yes that's right, after all the training and extra stress these guys go through do you really think the slight hardness of the ground has anything to do with anybody being 'touch and go' to play? As Chopper Reid would say . . .

Yes, why do you think I started the thread in the first place?

Have you listened to players who have played at the ground talk about it? Did you hear Rocket discuss it again last night?

Ask Mantis what Rocket said about Shaun Higgins in a discussion with him last week.

[mighty_west]

Re: Consecutive Games at Etihad Stadium

Yes that's right, after all the training and extra stress these guys go through do you really think the slight hardness of the ground has anything to do with anybody being 'touch and go' to play? As Chopper Reid would say . . .

I reckon there is definatly something in the debate on the hardness of Edihad, and i don't think it has alot about player management as well, having played years ago on a very dry & hard surface compared to other softer suburban grounds, you definatly notice a difference, and stress fractures can be a worry, i know personally many moons ago, and you do generally feel sorer playing on the hard ground compared with the normal softer grounds.