TOPIC:

au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/afl/a/31...k-with-injured-calf/


Firstly to Anchor & PN, this thread is not designed to be a piss take on Freo so please don't take it that way. Being that Harley's calf problems were well known in AFL circles have Freo got in wrong in signing him. My mail pre-Freo was that his problems were close to terminal regarding his playing future. Outside of disciplinary issues of the past did they get this one wrong?

I would think that the Dockers would have to have a look at the way they train to see if it is contributing to their players coming down with calf issues. The article mentioned a number of players who have succumbed to calf injuries this year including their captain.
As for Bennell, Lyon has made it clear that he is a long term investment but there would have to be a bit more than the usual medical intervention to find out what is going on. He reminds me a bit of Daniel Wells who is a seriously good player but who has been held back by long term injuries

Its not looking too good atm considering he was in the rehab group when he did it again, I believe he's gone over east to have it looked at,another one in cotton wool, hopefully this period of time off heals it properly.

anchorman wrote: Not going to knock you DW.It is a criticism that has been around since we signed Bennell.
will he be any good, was he tainted when we signed him, will he cause up trouble.All questions asked , but no answers as yet.I guess we will have to wait until he actually get os the park to play.If he doesn't then the recruitment was a failure.If he does and plays well like we all knew or know he can, then it will be a success.
As Lyon said we have an issue with calf problems at the club.I was told many years ago by an old Slav who supported Souths that Fremantle oval , being built on a lime stone base, was the reason Souths fell away late in the season.He said the players get leg weary.The ground is hard and has no give.I guess a bit like Etihad. Every one complains about how hard that stadium is on the legs of payers.I believe that Fremantle oval has the same affect as Etihad.
In regards to Bennell, I am doubly sure that the Dockers management did their due diligence in regards to his fitness both football wise and health wise.
Yes he had a problem whilst at the Suns, but I think that it is reading far too much into it to say that the problem is still there.
If the club says it is a calf problem , then I believe them.Because we seem to have more problems with calves than dairy farmers do.
Edit: Incidentally I wrote to the club expressing the issue about the hardness of the ground and leg injuries, but have had no response from them.

Harley did his calf playing for the Suns too.. maybe their ground is too hard too..

It's certainly unusual to hear of this many calf injuries at one club. Might be something in the Slav's theory. Pain in the arse injury as the muscle always feels better/loses the pain some time before it is ready to go again. Declared myself ready to go a couple of times on a Thursday night only to fail fitness tests and add a couple more weeks of downtime.

My 2 bobs worth on Freo's decision to sign Bennell....if it was a 50/50 call regarding ongoing calf issues I would have taken the risk. He is a rare talent and exactly the type Freo needed to add to their list imo. Pity we may never get to see him elevate his game to that next level that few reach. Wells is a similar case as stated. Would be great to see these 2 "Rolls Royces" on the footy field get an extended run at it. The game would be better for it. Have seen glimpses of how awesome Wells can play in the few games of AFL I've found time to watch this year. Enough excitement there for me to keep an eye on his progress this year in a year I'm taking my punishment as a Bombers supporter by not watching the current team that is representing the club I support nor signing my membership up as my silent protest as to what occurred in 2012. Some players transcend club rivalry and you just wanna enjoy watching them play, both Bennell and Wells are of that mould to me.

Horrible news for Freo but typical of the way this 2016 season is going for Freo.A running half forward that kicks goals move up the ground and get his own footy.brings his team mates into the game.

mikeh wrote: I would think that the Dockers would have to have a look at the way they train to see if it is contributing to their players coming down with calf issues. The article mentioned a number of players who have succumbed to calf injuries this year including their captain.
As for Bennell, Lyon has made it clear that he is a long term investment but there would have to be a bit more than the usual medical intervention to find out what is going on. He reminds me a bit of Daniel Wells who is a seriously good player but who has been held back by long term injuries

True mike but I've also thought about Cyril Rioli who was also plagued with calf and hamstring injuries for much of his career but seems to have been able to have a pretty good run the last couple of years.

In regards Fremantles training surface, I hope they don't shift to Cockburn too soon before the grass has knitted in properly otherwise they will be training on a shifting surface and we could see a spate of knee and ankle injuries.