Blackjack5
9 Feb 2005, 22:44
THE BUCKS STOPS HERE
Wednesday, February 9
JAY CLARK
THE hamstring troubles that plagued Paul Lynch's career will end Nathan Buckley's unless he shifts out of the midfield, the ex-Cat said yesterday.
Lynch sent a clear warning to Buckley, saying this season could be the Collingwood skipper's last unless he makes a move to a flank.
``His older legs just cannot carry that big frame around in the midfield anymore,'' Lynch said.
``He might have to go back to a back-flank or something where he can just float a bit instead of being tagged and harassed in the midfield.
``He needs to take up a new role.''
Last season with Lara was the first time Lynch, 31, had not strained a hamstring in 14 years of football and said he had to make the same move out of the midfield to prolong his career.
Lynch was eventually de-listed from Geelong in 2000 and said Buckley, 32, would be suffering the same self-doubts that hindered his 62-game career.
``It's always in the back of your mind,'' Lynch said.
``And he'd be wondering if it was starting to become chronic because you can push yourself at training but the load of a game is totally different.''
Lynch's warning comes as speculation mounts over the severity of Buckley's hamstring injury, suffered minutes into an intra-club match on Friday.
Collingwood is believed to be investigating a number of radical treatments, including a series of stimulant injections to help dissolve the scar tissue on his left hamstring.
Injury expert Dr Peter Larkins said the treatment was commonly used on soccer players in Europe and was particularly effective in repairing recurring soft-tissue injuries.
``It involves injecting slow-release stimulants into the muscle to help dissolve the scar tissue . . . and help the muscle grow naturally,'' Dr Larkins said.
``I know he (Buckley) is pretty frustrated by the injury but I would have thought it would be a little bit radical to have the treatment in Europe, when it is available in AFL circles here.''
Larkins said Buckley would need at least four weeks to recover.
Collingwood officials would not comment yesterday but are confident their 243-game veteran would be fit to play in the Pies' round one clash with the Western Bulldogs on March 28 at the MCG.
``He's a player who has had a hamstring and knows the course of action and I am sure he will be back for the first game,'' Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said after the scratch match.
``Any player with a hamstring injury is a concern but we are not going to cut our wrists over it.''
Wednesday, February 9
JAY CLARK
THE hamstring troubles that plagued Paul Lynch's career will end Nathan Buckley's unless he shifts out of the midfield, the ex-Cat said yesterday.
Lynch sent a clear warning to Buckley, saying this season could be the Collingwood skipper's last unless he makes a move to a flank.
``His older legs just cannot carry that big frame around in the midfield anymore,'' Lynch said.
``He might have to go back to a back-flank or something where he can just float a bit instead of being tagged and harassed in the midfield.
``He needs to take up a new role.''
Last season with Lara was the first time Lynch, 31, had not strained a hamstring in 14 years of football and said he had to make the same move out of the midfield to prolong his career.
Lynch was eventually de-listed from Geelong in 2000 and said Buckley, 32, would be suffering the same self-doubts that hindered his 62-game career.
``It's always in the back of your mind,'' Lynch said.
``And he'd be wondering if it was starting to become chronic because you can push yourself at training but the load of a game is totally different.''
Lynch's warning comes as speculation mounts over the severity of Buckley's hamstring injury, suffered minutes into an intra-club match on Friday.
Collingwood is believed to be investigating a number of radical treatments, including a series of stimulant injections to help dissolve the scar tissue on his left hamstring.
Injury expert Dr Peter Larkins said the treatment was commonly used on soccer players in Europe and was particularly effective in repairing recurring soft-tissue injuries.
``It involves injecting slow-release stimulants into the muscle to help dissolve the scar tissue . . . and help the muscle grow naturally,'' Dr Larkins said.
``I know he (Buckley) is pretty frustrated by the injury but I would have thought it would be a little bit radical to have the treatment in Europe, when it is available in AFL circles here.''
Larkins said Buckley would need at least four weeks to recover.
Collingwood officials would not comment yesterday but are confident their 243-game veteran would be fit to play in the Pies' round one clash with the Western Bulldogs on March 28 at the MCG.
``He's a player who has had a hamstring and knows the course of action and I am sure he will be back for the first game,'' Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said after the scratch match.
``Any player with a hamstring injury is a concern but we are not going to cut our wrists over it.''