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Bulldogs in no hurry with Williams, says Eade
Bulldogs key defender Tom Williams
ADAM Cooney will return for the Western Bulldogs this weekend but Tom Williams won’t – and is unlikely to figure in round one – according to coach Rodney Eade.
While Cooney’s return against the Sydney Swans at Rouse Hill on Saturday was the good news for the Bulldogs, Eade said the club would continue to take a cautious approach with key defender Williams, who is overcoming an ankle injury.
The big man did train during Wednesday morning’s session at Whitten Oval but did his own work away from the main group.
Eade said the 22-year-old, who has managed 19 matches in four seasons at the club, would not be rushed.
“He technically could play this week but we’re not going to play him,” Eade said.
“We’re going to err on the side of being conservative. He won’t play round one with us, he’ll play with Williamstown, but he’ll be back next week.
“We’ll play him in NAB [Challenge, week] four, then he’ll play a couple of games at Willy and hopefully he’ll play with us in round two.”
The Bulldogs won’t send their strongest line-up north, despite Cooney’s inclusion.
Midfield quartet Matthew Boyd, Daniel Giansiracusa, Nathan Eagleton and Daniel Cross will all skip the clash, although none are carrying injuries of concern.
Cross did leave Wednesday’s session to walk laps, but the coach dismissed his ballwinner’s ailment as minor.
“If it was for four points he’d play this week; he’s just got a bit of a tight back,” Eade said.
“With the flight, and where we’re staying in Sydney it’s an hour-and-a-half bus trip, and then the flight back, so he won’t play this week.”
Eade said Lindsay Gilbee, who fainted at half-time during last week’s NAB Challenge loss against St Kilda, was fine and would play.
Jason Akermanis, Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn and Scott Welsh will also back up after playing against the Saints.
While the performance of those players will be closely monitored, all eyes are likely to be on Cooney, with the 2008 Brownlow medallist likely to play around 40 minutes of the match against the Swans.
“We’re not expecting any quality football [from him] but it’s just a matter of him getting out there and him getting used to match conditions,” Eade said of Cooney’s return from knee surgery and groin soreness.
Bulldogs key defender Tom Williams
ADAM Cooney will return for the Western Bulldogs this weekend but Tom Williams won’t – and is unlikely to figure in round one – according to coach Rodney Eade.
While Cooney’s return against the Sydney Swans at Rouse Hill on Saturday was the good news for the Bulldogs, Eade said the club would continue to take a cautious approach with key defender Williams, who is overcoming an ankle injury.
The big man did train during Wednesday morning’s session at Whitten Oval but did his own work away from the main group.
Eade said the 22-year-old, who has managed 19 matches in four seasons at the club, would not be rushed.
“He technically could play this week but we’re not going to play him,” Eade said.
“We’re going to err on the side of being conservative. He won’t play round one with us, he’ll play with Williamstown, but he’ll be back next week.
“We’ll play him in NAB [Challenge, week] four, then he’ll play a couple of games at Willy and hopefully he’ll play with us in round two.”
The Bulldogs won’t send their strongest line-up north, despite Cooney’s inclusion.
Midfield quartet Matthew Boyd, Daniel Giansiracusa, Nathan Eagleton and Daniel Cross will all skip the clash, although none are carrying injuries of concern.
Cross did leave Wednesday’s session to walk laps, but the coach dismissed his ballwinner’s ailment as minor.
“If it was for four points he’d play this week; he’s just got a bit of a tight back,” Eade said.
“With the flight, and where we’re staying in Sydney it’s an hour-and-a-half bus trip, and then the flight back, so he won’t play this week.”
Eade said Lindsay Gilbee, who fainted at half-time during last week’s NAB Challenge loss against St Kilda, was fine and would play.
Jason Akermanis, Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn and Scott Welsh will also back up after playing against the Saints.
While the performance of those players will be closely monitored, all eyes are likely to be on Cooney, with the 2008 Brownlow medallist likely to play around 40 minutes of the match against the Swans.
“We’re not expecting any quality football [from him] but it’s just a matter of him getting out there and him getting used to match conditions,” Eade said of Cooney’s return from knee surgery and groin soreness.
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