TonyK
CibbuanoMedicos say no to Ottens return
May 21st 2008 06:26
GEELONG coach Mark Thompson is growing increasingly frustrated at the unavailbility of number one ruckman Brad Ottens.
Ottens has not played this year because of a foot tendon problem and has been ruled out of Friday night's clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
“We had a big blue with the doctors and the fitness staff trying to convince them to play him half a game of AFL instead of an hour of training,” Thompson said.
“What's the difference? They said there was a difference and they won again.
“There'll be no fight next week. I told them (fitness staff) not to injure him no matter what and he's playing next week, straight up.”
Thompson said Trent West was a strong chance to replace Shane Mumford as the second-string ruckman, while small forward Mathew Stokes will return after serving a one-week suspension.
Cameron Ling and hard-running defender Andrew Mackie remain in some doubt after sustaining leg injuries during last weekend's 30-point win over Richmond.
Thompson said the coaching staff would closely monitor the progress of 21-year-old defender Harry Taylor, who now becomes a key cog in Geelong's premiership defence following last week's news that All-Australian defender Matthew Egan would not play again this season.
“We'll certainly manage him because he's one guy we need in at the right end of the season,” he said.
“At this stage he's handling everything.”
Ottens has not played this year because of a foot tendon problem and has been ruled out of Friday night's clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
“We had a big blue with the doctors and the fitness staff trying to convince them to play him half a game of AFL instead of an hour of training,” Thompson said.
“What's the difference? They said there was a difference and they won again.
“There'll be no fight next week. I told them (fitness staff) not to injure him no matter what and he's playing next week, straight up.”
Thompson said Trent West was a strong chance to replace Shane Mumford as the second-string ruckman, while small forward Mathew Stokes will return after serving a one-week suspension.
Cameron Ling and hard-running defender Andrew Mackie remain in some doubt after sustaining leg injuries during last weekend's 30-point win over Richmond.
Thompson said the coaching staff would closely monitor the progress of 21-year-old defender Harry Taylor, who now becomes a key cog in Geelong's premiership defence following last week's news that All-Australian defender Matthew Egan would not play again this season.
“We'll certainly manage him because he's one guy we need in at the right end of the season,” he said.
“At this stage he's handling everything.”
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