TonyK
CibbuanoEagles' Hansen troubled by hamstring
May 14th 2008 06:26
WEST COAST is struggling to find a solution to key forward Ashley Hansen's ongoing hamstring problems according to coach John Worsfold.
Hansen, a member of the Eagles' new-look leadership group this year, has struggled to make an impact in 2008, booting just one goal in his four outings so far this season.
After an ankle injury struck down forward Chad Jones last week, it had been hoped Hansen might be fit to take on North Melbourne on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
But Worsfold said Hansen was still not confident that he is completely over his problem, and the Eagles' medical staff were being frustrated in their attempts to find a solution.
"He is not totally confident he is over his problem, he has played with it in the past and it is better," Worsfold said.
"But we are weighing up whether we rest it up and get it completely right, or whether it is not going to get completely right and he has to play with an awareness he has got it.
"We are getting to that point where what they have tried over this last couple of weeks has not had a massive impact, or as big as we would have liked.
"They are looking for what next from there. I do not know if surgery is possible, but they can do injections and those sort of things."
In some rare good news for West Coast, midfielder Matt Priddis is expected to make a comeback from a knee injury, while Dean Cox has pulled up well from the Hall of Fame Tribute match.
Despite a horror start to the season, which sees the Eagles occupying 15th place on the AFL ladder with a 1-6 win-loss record, Worsfold said he was still loving the job and saw his challenges this season much the same as last year when West Coast played in two finals.
"The challenges are pretty similar - to prepare a team to be at its best every week, take in good sides every week, deal with setbacks and injuries," Worsfold said.
"I still attack those challenges head on. And the enjoyment factor, I still love it. I still love my role, and love the challenges ahead.
"I would love it even more if we were winning, but that does not take away from the enjoyment of doing the job.
"You cannot win every week, and you cannot ."
Hansen, a member of the Eagles' new-look leadership group this year, has struggled to make an impact in 2008, booting just one goal in his four outings so far this season.
After an ankle injury struck down forward Chad Jones last week, it had been hoped Hansen might be fit to take on North Melbourne on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
But Worsfold said Hansen was still not confident that he is completely over his problem, and the Eagles' medical staff were being frustrated in their attempts to find a solution.
"He is not totally confident he is over his problem, he has played with it in the past and it is better," Worsfold said.
"But we are weighing up whether we rest it up and get it completely right, or whether it is not going to get completely right and he has to play with an awareness he has got it.
"We are getting to that point where what they have tried over this last couple of weeks has not had a massive impact, or as big as we would have liked.
"They are looking for what next from there. I do not know if surgery is possible, but they can do injections and those sort of things."
In some rare good news for West Coast, midfielder Matt Priddis is expected to make a comeback from a knee injury, while Dean Cox has pulled up well from the Hall of Fame Tribute match.
Despite a horror start to the season, which sees the Eagles occupying 15th place on the AFL ladder with a 1-6 win-loss record, Worsfold said he was still loving the job and saw his challenges this season much the same as last year when West Coast played in two finals.
"I still attack those challenges head on. And the enjoyment factor, I still love it. I still love my role, and love the challenges ahead.
"I would love it even more if we were winning, but that does not take away from the enjoyment of doing the job.
"You cannot win every week, and you cannot ."
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