Post by tajiritarantula on May 1, 2005 5:27:16 GMT -5
The Bulldogs lose their captain- do their finals chances go with his loss?
Courtesy of Sportal - Matt Burgan
Western Bulldogs skipper Luke Darcy will miss the rest of the 2005 season after he injured his knee in the opening quarter of the Dogs' 35-point loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade confirmed that the first-year captain's anterior cruciate ligament injury was a 'season job'. Eade added that vice-captain Brad Johnson would now lead the club in Darcy's absence.
"I think you've got to put on a brave face. Obviously, it's nothing we can change and it's just a test for the guys. It's just a good test for the rest of the group to see if they can step-up and cover that loss," Eade said of the loss of Darcy.
"It's a big loss, there's no doubt about that. I don't think you can hide away from that and I can come up with all of the positive clichés, but it is a big loss. The fact is that it has happened and we can't change it, so there is no good wallowing in self pity.
"The good teams and good clubs get on with it and that's what we've got to do."
Eade said the initial feedback he received when Darcy was aided from the ground by the Bulldogs' trainers was that it was a 'pinched medial'.
"It changed pretty drastically," Eade said after he found out the full extent of the injury.
"I spoke to Darce at half-time and he said he tried to kick the ball across his body and then the leg that he planted on just held firm, but his knee gave way and it was just a change of direction."
Eade said he didn't mention Darcy's injury to the playing group during the match, as he believed it would have a negative influence on his team.
He suggested it was not a 'black and white answer' as to who would replace Darcy in the team, but he mentioned veteran ruckman/forward Daniel Bandy as the most likely replacement at this stage.
Eade also confirmed that midfielder Nathan Eagleton, who was carried off on a stretcher in the final term after he was collected by Geelong defender Tom Harley in a contest, would be available for round seven.
"He's OK. I thought it was concussion, but he's got a huge cut inside of his mouth and his face is swollen a little bit, but there is no damage at all, so he'll be alright next week," Eade said of Eagleton.
Courtesy of Sportal - Matt Burgan
Western Bulldogs skipper Luke Darcy will miss the rest of the 2005 season after he injured his knee in the opening quarter of the Dogs' 35-point loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade confirmed that the first-year captain's anterior cruciate ligament injury was a 'season job'. Eade added that vice-captain Brad Johnson would now lead the club in Darcy's absence.
"I think you've got to put on a brave face. Obviously, it's nothing we can change and it's just a test for the guys. It's just a good test for the rest of the group to see if they can step-up and cover that loss," Eade said of the loss of Darcy.
"It's a big loss, there's no doubt about that. I don't think you can hide away from that and I can come up with all of the positive clichés, but it is a big loss. The fact is that it has happened and we can't change it, so there is no good wallowing in self pity.
"The good teams and good clubs get on with it and that's what we've got to do."
Eade said the initial feedback he received when Darcy was aided from the ground by the Bulldogs' trainers was that it was a 'pinched medial'.
"It changed pretty drastically," Eade said after he found out the full extent of the injury.
"I spoke to Darce at half-time and he said he tried to kick the ball across his body and then the leg that he planted on just held firm, but his knee gave way and it was just a change of direction."
Eade said he didn't mention Darcy's injury to the playing group during the match, as he believed it would have a negative influence on his team.
He suggested it was not a 'black and white answer' as to who would replace Darcy in the team, but he mentioned veteran ruckman/forward Daniel Bandy as the most likely replacement at this stage.
Eade also confirmed that midfielder Nathan Eagleton, who was carried off on a stretcher in the final term after he was collected by Geelong defender Tom Harley in a contest, would be available for round seven.
"He's OK. I thought it was concussion, but he's got a huge cut inside of his mouth and his face is swollen a little bit, but there is no damage at all, so he'll be alright next week," Eade said of Eagleton.