injuryupdate
15-09-2004, 05:41 PM
From Damien Barrett, Herald-Sun:
ESSENDON'S Dean Rioli will have knee surgery this week in the hope of alleviating pressure on his suspect hamstrings.
Rioli played just once after Round 12 this year, missing 11 of the Bombers' 24 matches, including the side's two finals.
Since the start of 2002 he has missed 26 of 72 games.
The minor operation is intended to release the hamstring tendons.
Full-back Dustin Fletcher may also require attention to his knee.
He had a series of injections at halftime of Saturday's semi-final against Geelong after damaging the joint in the first quarter.
While he resumed playing in the third term, the extent of damage will not be known until today.
Essendon will not finalise its list of players requiring post-season surgery until this week.
It is understood captain James Hird, for one of the few times in his career, does not need an off-season operation.
Sean Wellman may require surgery to repair the shoulder injury incurred against Geelong that forced him to spend the final moments of his career on the bench.
AS THE disappointment of being dumped out of the finals continues to sink in, Sydney's preparations for 2005 have already begun.
Up to seven Swans have been booked in for surgery in the next few weeks to have them ready for pre-season training.
Despite having only one fewer name on the Swans' surgery list compared to this time last year, Sydney club doctor Nathan Gibbs said the team was in better shape.
"It's reasonably minor this year. We don't have any major operations," he said.
Topping the surgery list is leading goalkicker Barry Hall, who needs an ankle arthroscope.
Matthew Nicks also needs an ankle arthroscope while 2003 Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes will have a scope on his right knee.
Goodes ruptured his right posterior cruciate ligament in Round 8 against West Coast but battled through the season. He did not miss a game, even when he tore the medial ligament in his left knee against Geelong in Round 16.
Paul Williams, who suffered a badly corked thigh in the Swans' semi-final loss against St Kilda, requires finger ligament repair.
Heath James will also have finger surgery while defender Leo Barry could need an ankle operation.
"Leo will have an arthroscope but it could end up a slightly bigger operation," Gibbs said.
"We suspect he'll probably need some stabilisation done to the ankle, which will need three months' recovery."
The other major casualty from Friday night's disaster was Ben Mathews, who came off the ground in the second quarter with a suspected broken left ankle.
"We won't know for sure until we X-ray him (this) morning," Gibbs said. "It only looks like a minor break although it might need a pin or plate."
with Tim Morrissey
ESSENDON'S Dean Rioli will have knee surgery this week in the hope of alleviating pressure on his suspect hamstrings.
Rioli played just once after Round 12 this year, missing 11 of the Bombers' 24 matches, including the side's two finals.
Since the start of 2002 he has missed 26 of 72 games.
The minor operation is intended to release the hamstring tendons.
Full-back Dustin Fletcher may also require attention to his knee.
He had a series of injections at halftime of Saturday's semi-final against Geelong after damaging the joint in the first quarter.
While he resumed playing in the third term, the extent of damage will not be known until today.
Essendon will not finalise its list of players requiring post-season surgery until this week.
It is understood captain James Hird, for one of the few times in his career, does not need an off-season operation.
Sean Wellman may require surgery to repair the shoulder injury incurred against Geelong that forced him to spend the final moments of his career on the bench.
AS THE disappointment of being dumped out of the finals continues to sink in, Sydney's preparations for 2005 have already begun.
Up to seven Swans have been booked in for surgery in the next few weeks to have them ready for pre-season training.
Despite having only one fewer name on the Swans' surgery list compared to this time last year, Sydney club doctor Nathan Gibbs said the team was in better shape.
"It's reasonably minor this year. We don't have any major operations," he said.
Topping the surgery list is leading goalkicker Barry Hall, who needs an ankle arthroscope.
Matthew Nicks also needs an ankle arthroscope while 2003 Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes will have a scope on his right knee.
Goodes ruptured his right posterior cruciate ligament in Round 8 against West Coast but battled through the season. He did not miss a game, even when he tore the medial ligament in his left knee against Geelong in Round 16.
Paul Williams, who suffered a badly corked thigh in the Swans' semi-final loss against St Kilda, requires finger ligament repair.
Heath James will also have finger surgery while defender Leo Barry could need an ankle operation.
"Leo will have an arthroscope but it could end up a slightly bigger operation," Gibbs said.
"We suspect he'll probably need some stabilisation done to the ankle, which will need three months' recovery."
The other major casualty from Friday night's disaster was Ben Mathews, who came off the ground in the second quarter with a suspected broken left ankle.
"We won't know for sure until we X-ray him (this) morning," Gibbs said. "It only looks like a minor break although it might need a pin or plate."
with Tim Morrissey