Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

[G-Mo77]

BROWNLOW medallist Adam Cooney accepts that he will never regain his best form but is confident he can play a productive part in the re-bulding of the Western Bulldogs.

Cooney, who won football's highest honour in 2008 but has struggled with a right knee ailment since, said at training today that he was just getting his fitness back but realised the injury would force a change in expectations from himself, within the club and, notably, from fans.

"I am probably not going to get back to my best," he said.

"I know the expectations on me but if I play my bit for the team that is all I can expect," the 26 year old said.

"I know my own expectations have changed. The most challenging thing is that I haven't been able to get continuity in training and I am not as fit as I was in 2008, 09.

"A couple of times (this season) I could have taken the game on more instead of a quick kick or handball," he said reflecting on his lack of fitness, not confidence.

Cooney nevertheless was one of the Bulldogs best with 23 disposals in the dismal showing against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night, when the Dogs booted three goals in the dying minutes of the game to muster only five for the game in the 63 point loss.

Cooney said the players were still learning the game plan under new coach Brendan McCartney but needed to improve, especially this week against Melbourne.

"The pressure is on everyone. It is a massive game for both clubs, yet to win a game and under new coaches."

He said the frustration of the team's inadequacies against St Kilda got the better of full-back Brian Lake.

"It was disappointing. He let the frustration get to him and he knew he did wrong," Cooney said.

Lake today accepted a one week sanction for striking Saint Tom Simpkin during the final quarter.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/western-bulldogs-star-adam-cooney-is-confident-he-can-play-a-role-in-the-clubs-rebuilding/story-e6frf9jf-1226329999496

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

I know we have known this for some time. It feels like we have been robbed.

It is very sad. He won the Brownlow when he was 22. At 26 he should be at the peak of his powers.

If he continued to improve on what he put up in 2008 he would be in the absolute elite, if not the best player in the league. How good could have Adam Cooney been?

The other thing we will never know. How much closer could have we got in 2009 and 2010 with a fit and firing Adam Cooney.

[comrade]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

I know we have known this for some time. It feels like we have been robbed.

It is very sad. He won the Brownlow when he was 22. At 26 he should be at the peak of his powers.

If he continued to improve on what he put up in 2008 he would be in the absolute elite, if not the best player in the league. How good could have Adam Cooney been?

The other thing we will never know. How much closer could have we got in 2009 and 2010 with a fit and firing Adam Cooney.

You've got to love being a Bulldogs supporter

[Grantysghost]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

Does anyone else question his mental application. Seems like a cop out to me..... Yeah I'm finished, don't expect too much.
I don't doubt the injury, just think some others wouldn't be giving themselves an out. That's twice this year I've read this. Extreme example but Joel Selwood would keep going with a leg amputated.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

Does anyone else question his mental application. Seems like a cop out to me..... Yeah I'm finished, don't expect too much.
I don't doubt the injury, just think some others wouldn't be giving themselves an out. That's twice this year I've read this. Extreme example but Joel Selwood would keep going with a leg amputated.

Very unfair in my opinion.

[Topdog]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

Does anyone else question his mental application. Seems like a cop out to me..... Yeah I'm finished, don't expect too much.
I don't doubt the injury, just think some others wouldn't be giving themselves an out. That's twice this year I've read this. Extreme example but Joel Selwood would keep going with a leg amputated.

TO use the Selwood example Cooney is still going. He simply hasn't got and will never regain (literally impossible for him to do) his burst speed which was what made him such a great player.

[Mantis]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

Does anyone else question his mental application. Seems like a cop out to me..... Yeah I'm finished, don't expect too much.
I don't doubt the injury, just think some others wouldn't be giving themselves an out. That's twice this year I've read this. Extreme example but Joel Selwood would keep going with a leg amputated.

That's a very simplistic view.... And I doubt very much that Joel would be able to keep on going with one leg.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

Does anyone else question his mental application. Seems like a cop out to me..... Yeah I'm finished, don't expect too much.
I don't doubt the injury, just think some others wouldn't be giving themselves an out. That's twice this year I've read this. Extreme example but Joel Selwood would keep going with a leg amputated.

Really unfair, I'm 200% certain Adam would turn back time or 'fix' the knee if he could.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

That's a very simplistic view.... And I doubt very much that Joel would be able to keep on going with one leg.

He'd lose balance after kicking, for a start.

[westdog54]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

He'd lose balance after kicking, for a start.

Actually, when I think about it I'd back him to stay upright.

My take on it is this: He's acknowledged that he'll never be as good as he was, that he'll always be limited. Plenty of players have retired in their mid 20's in the same circumstance. While its admirable to think that he'll put himself before that I'd hate to think that by trying to do the right thing by the Bulldog faithful, there will come a day where his knee will be so badly shot he won't be able to run around in the park with his son and daughters.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

While its admirable to think that he'll put himself before that I'd hate to think that by trying to do the right thing by the Bulldog faithful, there will come a day where his knee will be so badly shot he won't be able to run around in the park with his son and daughters.

Or heaven forbid, use an esky lid to ski down the road on his knees!

[Grantysghost]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

My point is I feel psychology he may have already given up to a degree. Twice this year he has publicly stated he's never getting back to his idea of his best, so if he fails to achieve anything then, oh well, i told you so, im stuffed. If the injury is that debilitating then he shouldn't be playing. At this level if your off by a few percent then your left behind. I was watching him closely at the game on Saturday night, he has no second efforts, spends alot of time on the ground and basically looks disinterested or more likely disheartened. It must be very frustrating for him. However personally after enduring seven losing prelims live coupled with the rapid realisation of another two or three seasons down the bottom, my sympathy levels are very very low. Cant play at your best then the best thing for the team is to move on. Hope he proves me wrong.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

My point is I feel psychology he may have already given up to a degree. Twice this year he has publicly stated he's never getting back to his idea of his best, so if he fails to achieve anything then, oh well, i told you so, im stuffed. If the injury is that debilitating then he shouldn't be playing. At this level if your off by a few percent then your left behind. I was watching him closely at the game on Saturday night, he has no second efforts, spends alot of time on the ground and basically looks disinterested or more likely disheartened. It must be very frustrating for him. However personally after enduring seven losing prelims live coupled with the rapid realisation of another two or three seasons down the bottom, my sympathy levels are very very low. Cant play at your best then the best thing for the team is to move on. Hope he proves me wrong.

No offence but I think your view of Adam is extremely cynical (and I'm a confirmed cynic!). and quite frankly, way off the mark. Where did you get the impression that he'd one day say "oh well, told you so, I'm stuffed"??? I can't disagree more about the bolded bit -if you're looking for disinterested, look at Jarrad Grant's recent efforts (he was a bit better this past week). Coons to me comes across as the sort of guy who'd give anything to get rid of the knee ailment that has curtailed his output. And whilst his output is different to '08-09, when he gets the ball, he can make things happen. I'll take that for as long as he's able.

[boydogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

I tend to agree with Grantysghost.

I have knee problems myself, it can get very frustrating as the more you train, the worse it gets, so you think can never do the work to get where you want to be.

What it means though is that you need to be extra determined to cross train and be disciplined with when you do and don't do weight bearing exercise. Cooney seems to keep lamenting his lack of fitness, he needs to take his swimming/cycling/boxing to the next level instead of obsessing over not being able to run all day every day.

He needs to be on a permanently modified program, but believe in himself and understand that there is more than one way to reach elite fitness.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney admits he will never regain his best form

Such a shame, as mentioned he should be in his prime right now. It's not just devastating for us as supporters but for Coons as well.