TonyK
CibbuanoClarkson hopeful of Crawford return
July 18th 2008 03:05
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson is hopeful veteran midfielder Shane Crawford will return for next Friday's blockbuster clash against reigning premiers Geelong at the MCG.
Crawford played two matches after returning from a five-week lay-off due to ongoing knee tendonitis issues but the injury flared up again and he will miss Saturday night's clash against St Kilda at Telstra Dome.
Clarkson said the club would monitor Crawford's progress closely.
"It's a difficult injury to manage, tendonitis in the knee," Clarkson said.
"We'll see how he gets back into training early next week and that will determine whether he plays the Geelong game or has another rest but for this particular game he wasn't quite ready and hopefully he'll be right for next week's game against the Cats."
Clarkson admitted the 1999 Brownlow medallist is growing increasingly frustrated by his inability to get his body right.
"He's frustrated because he's usually so good at being able to manage his body and get himself right but tendonitis, it doesn't spare anyone.
"If it gets you, it gets you pretty hard so it's been frustrating because he just likes to get out there and for the bulk of his 16 years he's been able to get himself out there on more occasions than not."
Clarkson said Crawford, who is on a year to year contract with the Hawks is desperate to make the most of the latter stages of his career.
"He knows he's nearing the end, whether that's in six months time or 18 months time or even two and a half years… but he's such a tremendous trainer that who knows how long he'll play.
"He knows that he's certainly in the twilight of his career and he wants to be out on the park as much as he can be."
Crawford played two matches after returning from a five-week lay-off due to ongoing knee tendonitis issues but the injury flared up again and he will miss Saturday night's clash against St Kilda at Telstra Dome.
Clarkson said the club would monitor Crawford's progress closely.
"It's a difficult injury to manage, tendonitis in the knee," Clarkson said.
"We'll see how he gets back into training early next week and that will determine whether he plays the Geelong game or has another rest but for this particular game he wasn't quite ready and hopefully he'll be right for next week's game against the Cats."
Clarkson admitted the 1999 Brownlow medallist is growing increasingly frustrated by his inability to get his body right.
"He's frustrated because he's usually so good at being able to manage his body and get himself right but tendonitis, it doesn't spare anyone.
"If it gets you, it gets you pretty hard so it's been frustrating because he just likes to get out there and for the bulk of his 16 years he's been able to get himself out there on more occasions than not."
Clarkson said Crawford, who is on a year to year contract with the Hawks is desperate to make the most of the latter stages of his career.
"He knows he's nearing the end, whether that's in six months time or 18 months time or even two and a half years… but he's such a tremendous trainer that who knows how long he'll play.
"He knows that he's certainly in the twilight of his career and he wants to be out on the park as much as he can be."
| 54 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
