TonyK
CibbuanoMalthouse rules out using Fraser as a forward
July 25th 2008 04:51
COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has ruled out using number one ruckman Josh Fraser as a forward.
Fraser wasn't selected to play against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday afternoon and will instead line up for the club's VFL side in an effort to regain match fitness.
The 26-year-old, who has been hampered by a knee injury picked up while representing Victoria in the Hall of Fame Tribute match hasn't played for the Pies since round 12.
Malthouse said on Friday that Fraser would be of little value to the Pies solely as a forward.
"He's got to play the role that he's best accustomed to and that is ruck, and if he goes forward they'll be cameos," said Malthouse.
"Josh can play forward, but not as a permanent forward - he needs to be able to ruck and go forward."
"He hasn’t really got the history of being a straight forward."
Malthouse also said that Fraser wouldn't be recalled until he was able to ruck again.
"We have elected not to play him until the medical people believe that he is capable of rucking again."
"He hasn’t gone down in any of our calculations of where he sits - he's the No.1 ruckman in this football club - so we can get rid of all the rumour and innuendo, guesswork and second guessing that he is dropping in the pecking order."
Meanwhile, Malthouse suggested Essendon is better-placed injury-wise than they are letting on.
"My forward scout (saw) 35 players training on their ground, 35 of which 11 are now playing in their Bendigo side tomorrow and 11 and 22 equals 33," he said.
"That's 33 players that they've got to pick from - it's hardly 24, 25."
"I know one thing for sure, the 22 (selected to play Collingwood) are very dangerous."
Fraser wasn't selected to play against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday afternoon and will instead line up for the club's VFL side in an effort to regain match fitness.
The 26-year-old, who has been hampered by a knee injury picked up while representing Victoria in the Hall of Fame Tribute match hasn't played for the Pies since round 12.
Malthouse said on Friday that Fraser would be of little value to the Pies solely as a forward.
"He's got to play the role that he's best accustomed to and that is ruck, and if he goes forward they'll be cameos," said Malthouse.
"Josh can play forward, but not as a permanent forward - he needs to be able to ruck and go forward."
"He hasn’t really got the history of being a straight forward."
Malthouse also said that Fraser wouldn't be recalled until he was able to ruck again.
"We have elected not to play him until the medical people believe that he is capable of rucking again."
"He hasn’t gone down in any of our calculations of where he sits - he's the No.1 ruckman in this football club - so we can get rid of all the rumour and innuendo, guesswork and second guessing that he is dropping in the pecking order."
Meanwhile, Malthouse suggested Essendon is better-placed injury-wise than they are letting on.
"My forward scout (saw) 35 players training on their ground, 35 of which 11 are now playing in their Bendigo side tomorrow and 11 and 22 equals 33," he said.
"That's 33 players that they've got to pick from - it's hardly 24, 25."
"I know one thing for sure, the 22 (selected to play Collingwood) are very dangerous."
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