TonyK
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoNo promises for Thompson
July 24th 2008 03:02
NORTH MELBOURNE forward Nathan Thompson is no certainty to earn a recall despite a strong performance in the VFL last weekend, according to coach Dean Laidley.
Thompson booted six goals for Werribee but Laidley said several factors such as form, match-ups and fitness will play a role in determining whether the former Hawk plays against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
"We've put him on a program and whether our strength and conditioning people think that's helped him in just the one week we'll sort that out with them," Laidley said.
"Whether he needs another week - the VFL have a bye this week so if he doesn’t play in the seniors he doesn't play - but I'm sure we'll work that out over the next few hours."
Laidley said defender Daniel Pratt, who is still a bit proppy after turning an ankle against the Magpies was a 'definite starter' while running defender Jesse Smith, who has been battling ongoing hamstring and ankle problems was a slim chance of playing again this year.
"Jesse Smith's on a strengthening program for his legs and it will be really interesting to see how he comes up … (but) whether he plays again, we're not too sure, this year," Laidley said.
"It's probably a bit more positive because Jesse wants to play and it's probably positive from a medical point of view, but if I had my way, I wouldn't play him for the rest of the year."
"I just think let's get it right and make sure he plays every game next year and don't take any chances, but I'm not the boss in that area."
Thompson booted six goals for Werribee but Laidley said several factors such as form, match-ups and fitness will play a role in determining whether the former Hawk plays against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
"We've put him on a program and whether our strength and conditioning people think that's helped him in just the one week we'll sort that out with them," Laidley said.
"Whether he needs another week - the VFL have a bye this week so if he doesn’t play in the seniors he doesn't play - but I'm sure we'll work that out over the next few hours."
Laidley said defender Daniel Pratt, who is still a bit proppy after turning an ankle against the Magpies was a 'definite starter' while running defender Jesse Smith, who has been battling ongoing hamstring and ankle problems was a slim chance of playing again this year.
"Jesse Smith's on a strengthening program for his legs and it will be really interesting to see how he comes up … (but) whether he plays again, we're not too sure, this year," Laidley said.
"It's probably a bit more positive because Jesse wants to play and it's probably positive from a medical point of view, but if I had my way, I wouldn't play him for the rest of the year."
"I just think let's get it right and make sure he plays every game next year and don't take any chances, but I'm not the boss in that area."
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