Under the knife but ready to play

[Danny]

Wow! Jade Rawlings has had some arthroscopic surgery on his knee this week and will be fit for this Sunday's game. Procedures like this are so beneficial for the requirements of professional sports people. Handy also for the every day punter's......... if they can get the $$$.



20 May 2004 Herald Sun

Jade goes under the blade

WESTERN Bulldogs' prized recruit Jade Rawlings has had minor surgery on his troublesome right knee.

But it is not expected to keep him out of the side to play Carlton at Optus Oval on Sunday.

It is understood the arthroscopic surgery involved removing gristle floating in the knee joint.

Dogs' officials reluctantly confirmed the procedure last night.

Football manager Stephen Newport said Rawlings did not want to make anything of the surgery.

"People are aware of it, but Jade did not want to make anything of it," Newport said.

"Obviously he wasn't happy with his performance last week and he wants to do something about it this week (against Carlton)."

Newport said Rawlings was expected to train tomorrow before the side for Sunday was finalised.

"All going well, he'll be fine for a full training session on Friday and be fine for Sunday," Newport said.

"That's the benefit of having the eight-day break."

Rawlings has been dogged by persistent rumours about his troublesome knees, and was asked to undergo medical tests by several clubs during last year's trade period.

Hawthorn was not prepared to offer him more than a two-year deal, which precipitated his move from Glenferrie.

The Dogs signed him to a lucrative four-year deal.

Rawlings, who has played more than 60 consecutive games, seemed out of sorts during Saturday's 23-point loss to Richmond.

He had only five kicks and two marks and contributed only a solitary point in the Dogs' total of 10.22.

But Rawlings is the Dogs' major goalscorer this season with 18.22.

[injuryupdate]

It is possible for players to come back incredibly early from injury, but it is a very high risk strategy that clubs should think carefully about this early in the season. For sure, if you are playing in a Grand Final then try to get a block back from a posterior cruciate or a knee arthroscopy within a week, but you still got to respect that joint. Plenty of guys have retired through chronic injuries to the knee - it is a bit more serious than a cork thigh. A knee infection is more likely if you have an arthroscopy portal that hasn't fully healed and you get some dirt inside the wound and bugs make their way into the joint.

[Danny]

Looks like everything went well for Jade, Samantha Lane reports he pulled up well and is feeling confident about his game.


Tuesday 25 May 2004
Samantha Lane
Sportal

Bulldog Jade Rawlings showed no signs of being troubled by mid-week knee surgery during a four goal performance on Sunday, and has pulled up from the match in excellent condition.

Rawlings had arthroscopic surgery last Monday and completed minimal training, but coach Peter Rohde said the former Hawk was feeling better than ever.

“He actually says he’s pulled up better this week than he has over the last few weeks.”

“He’s had that floating body in his knee for the last month, and it’s been causing a fair bit of swelling after the game. Whereas this week he says he’s pulled up a lot better, so that’s a positive,” Rohde said before Rawlings completed a modified training session at the Whitten Oval on Tuesday.

The key forward enjoyed his most accurate day before goal in round nine against the Blues, when he kicked four straight majors to take his season tally to 22.22.

Meanwhile, the Dogs will persist with their additional goal kicking practice despite an accurate effort at Optus Oval, when they kicked 16.8.

Rohde said the club would keep the small red goal posts that were erected between the main posts at the Whitten Oval last week to help narrow the players’ point of focus.

“We kicked very badly about a month against Port and then we improved for a couple of weeks and then went backwards again. So we’ll be mindful of not slipping back into old habits.”

“There’s no doubt at the weekend we kicked the ball into a better spot, so we were having shots for goal from 20 meters out rather than 45 meters out, which always means you’re going to kick a bit more accurately,” he said.