TonyK
CibbuanoTigers defend decision to play Richo
May 5th 2009 04:43
RICHMOND has defended its decision to play injured star Matthew Richardson in Sunday's clash against Sydney.
Richardson is out for at least 10-12 weeks after partially tearing his left hamstring tendon in the Tigers’ 19-point loss to the Swans at the SCG.
The 34-year-old strained a glute muscle - which is in the buttock region just above the hamstring - in the win over the Kangaroos in round five.
But Richmond football operations manager Craig Cameron strongly dismissed suggestions the decision to play Richardson contributed to the seriousness of the injury.
"People can have whatever perception they like but our medical team and our fitness staff cleared him to play," Cameron said.
"He trained fully at our main training session and he trained fully before the game and he was fine in the warm-up.”
"Every indication was that he was fine to play and that the previous incident was clear."
However, Tigers club doctor Greg Hickey conceded the injury to Richardson's buttock could have placed more pressure on his hamstring.
"I think that is a reasonable question and a good question but he had achieved full strength (in his left leg) by the middle of the week," Hickey said.
"I would have been concerned going into the game if he was weak (in his left leg) but by the middle of the week all that buttock pain had gone away."
Hickey admitted Richardson was no certainty to play again this season but said he was confident the 282-game veteran would play again in 2010.
"I wouldn't say he is a certainty to play (again) this year but we are optimistic he will be around for the latter part of this season,” he said.
"And if he is not available this year I have no doubt he will be fighting fit for next year and I know the rest of his body is great for a guy who is 34."
Cameron said Richardson is determined to play on next season.
"There is nothing to stop him playing next year if his mind is around doing another pre-season and playing another 12 months of football," he said.
"But speaking to him today he is really determined to do all the recovery and get back to play some footy this year or getting ready for (another) pre-season next year."
Richardson is out for at least 10-12 weeks after partially tearing his left hamstring tendon in the Tigers’ 19-point loss to the Swans at the SCG.
The 34-year-old strained a glute muscle - which is in the buttock region just above the hamstring - in the win over the Kangaroos in round five.
But Richmond football operations manager Craig Cameron strongly dismissed suggestions the decision to play Richardson contributed to the seriousness of the injury.
"People can have whatever perception they like but our medical team and our fitness staff cleared him to play," Cameron said.
"He trained fully at our main training session and he trained fully before the game and he was fine in the warm-up.”
"Every indication was that he was fine to play and that the previous incident was clear."
However, Tigers club doctor Greg Hickey conceded the injury to Richardson's buttock could have placed more pressure on his hamstring.
"I think that is a reasonable question and a good question but he had achieved full strength (in his left leg) by the middle of the week," Hickey said.
"I would have been concerned going into the game if he was weak (in his left leg) but by the middle of the week all that buttock pain had gone away."
Hickey admitted Richardson was no certainty to play again this season but said he was confident the 282-game veteran would play again in 2010.
"I wouldn't say he is a certainty to play (again) this year but we are optimistic he will be around for the latter part of this season,” he said.
"And if he is not available this year I have no doubt he will be fighting fit for next year and I know the rest of his body is great for a guy who is 34."
Cameron said Richardson is determined to play on next season.
"There is nothing to stop him playing next year if his mind is around doing another pre-season and playing another 12 months of football," he said.
"But speaking to him today he is really determined to do all the recovery and get back to play some footy this year or getting ready for (another) pre-season next year."
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