Danny
08-02-2005, 07:16 AM
Josh Francou has impressed everyone at training on Monday, with great speed, agility and most importantly, confidence. The news for Primus however is not quite as good, only lasting 30 minutes on the field, heavily strapped, he hobbled back to the change rooms for more treatment. There is still plenty of time and the Power captain will be there ready for the seasons start no doubt.
Francou inspires Power
By Michelangelo Rucci
February 8, 2005
FOX SPORTS
JOSH Francou is ready to play football again. And he looks so menacing his Port Adelaide teammates wish the AFL would allow them to bet on the Power midfielder as this year's Brownlow medallist.
With only a skin-coloured bandage covering his twice-reconstructed left knee, Francou yesterday took to Alberton Oval with enough confidence and purpose to suggest 22 months away from AFL football have filled him with desire rather than doubt.
The 30-year-old Magarey medallist will be back at Alberton Oval on Saturday for the Power's intra-club match, his first competitive game since April 5, 2003.
Francou, injured when tackled by Brisbane captain Michael Voss at AAMI Stadium in Round 2 in 2003, and forced into a second reconstruction during pre-season training last year, is saying nothing of his much-anticipated comeback.
His workout yesterday suggests he does not need to say anything. His movement, his ability to read the play, his attack on the ball forcibly says his knee and his mind is ready.
His teammates, who need Francou's ball-winning toughness in the midfield to cover the loss of premiership centreman Josh Carr to Fremantle, are not short of exciting forecasts on his comeback.
One wants the chance to bet on Francou winning the Brownlow, three years after he was runner-up to Brisbane midfielder Simon Black.
Ruckman Dean Brogan, who aims to be tapping the ball to Francou, regards the imminent return as an awesome factor in Port's premiership defence.
Brogan says Francou's motivation to catch up on lost time - and last year's premiership - can be motivating for a team at risk of living off last year's success.
"To have two important guys back this year, always at the front in every drill and being vocal definitely affects the rest of us," Brogan said of Francou and Matthew Primus, also recovering from a second knee reconstruction.
"It is awesome to have them back on the track rather than in tracksuits."
While Francou's readiness to end a long absence from competitive football was answered at training yesterday, Primus appears less advanced.
He wore his large black brace on his right knee and hobbled back to the medical rooms after half an hour.
He did return to resume training, including ruck drills with impressive draftee Fabian Deluca.
But there seems much work ahead for the Power captain.
Roger James spent the session on the sidelines with ice on his battle-scarred right knee.
James was later joined by Byron Pickett carrying ice on his right knee.
The Advertiser
Francou inspires Power
By Michelangelo Rucci
February 8, 2005
FOX SPORTS
JOSH Francou is ready to play football again. And he looks so menacing his Port Adelaide teammates wish the AFL would allow them to bet on the Power midfielder as this year's Brownlow medallist.
With only a skin-coloured bandage covering his twice-reconstructed left knee, Francou yesterday took to Alberton Oval with enough confidence and purpose to suggest 22 months away from AFL football have filled him with desire rather than doubt.
The 30-year-old Magarey medallist will be back at Alberton Oval on Saturday for the Power's intra-club match, his first competitive game since April 5, 2003.
Francou, injured when tackled by Brisbane captain Michael Voss at AAMI Stadium in Round 2 in 2003, and forced into a second reconstruction during pre-season training last year, is saying nothing of his much-anticipated comeback.
His workout yesterday suggests he does not need to say anything. His movement, his ability to read the play, his attack on the ball forcibly says his knee and his mind is ready.
His teammates, who need Francou's ball-winning toughness in the midfield to cover the loss of premiership centreman Josh Carr to Fremantle, are not short of exciting forecasts on his comeback.
One wants the chance to bet on Francou winning the Brownlow, three years after he was runner-up to Brisbane midfielder Simon Black.
Ruckman Dean Brogan, who aims to be tapping the ball to Francou, regards the imminent return as an awesome factor in Port's premiership defence.
Brogan says Francou's motivation to catch up on lost time - and last year's premiership - can be motivating for a team at risk of living off last year's success.
"To have two important guys back this year, always at the front in every drill and being vocal definitely affects the rest of us," Brogan said of Francou and Matthew Primus, also recovering from a second knee reconstruction.
"It is awesome to have them back on the track rather than in tracksuits."
While Francou's readiness to end a long absence from competitive football was answered at training yesterday, Primus appears less advanced.
He wore his large black brace on his right knee and hobbled back to the medical rooms after half an hour.
He did return to resume training, including ruck drills with impressive draftee Fabian Deluca.
But there seems much work ahead for the Power captain.
Roger James spent the session on the sidelines with ice on his battle-scarred right knee.
James was later joined by Byron Pickett carrying ice on his right knee.
The Advertiser