carn_the_cattas
19 May 2007, 09:40
GEELONG Football Club's ruckman Steven King has remained upbeat despite being struck down with another injury.
King was rushed in for arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday afternoon after scans revealed cartilage damage on Thursday.
Club doctor Chris Bradshaw admitted the latest injury setback was a ``real blow'' for King, who had shown signs of returning to his best form during last Sunday's VFL clash against Bendigo.
``King felt pain during the game on Saturday but played on and still played really well,'' Dr Bradshaw said.
``He pulled up sore and we tried to settle it down during the week, but it just wouldn't settle.''
Dr Bradshaw said the embattled ruckman, who has suffered a string of injuries in the past five seasons, had handled the news well.
``He got his head around it quickly and was in pretty good spirits when I spoke to him this morning,'' he said.
Geelong football manager Neil Balme said the injury setback was ``disappointing, but not the end of the world'' for the former captain.
``There is still plenty of time in the season. I haven't had the full report on the surgery but hopefully they have fixed what was wrong and he can get back in business,'' Balme said.
``He's a very important player for us and has been a quality player for a long time. We just want him to recover and get back on track.''
Dr Bradshaw said the average recovery time for arthroscopic surgery was four weeks, which would possibly sideline King up until the mid-season bye.
The knee injury is the latest setback for King, who missed the opening three matches of the season with a calf problem.
The two-time All-Australian ruckman returned to the Cats' senior side for two matches, but struggled for form and was duly dropped to the VFL.
The 28-year-old was dominant against Bendigo in the VFL at Skilled Stadium last Sunday, collecting more than 20 touches, booting four goals and controlling the ruck.
Cats coach Mark Thompson said yesterday he felt for King, who had shown glimpses of returning to his best.
``He was just so good last week,'' Thompson said. ``We certainly spoke about him heavily (at selection).''
But the coach said regardless of his injury, King would not have been brought back into the senior side this week.
The Cats have again opted for Brad Ottens and the emerging Mark Blake to ruck in tandem for today's clash against Fremantle.
From the Addy.
I swear, he is gone. We've been saying it for a while but this just backs it up.
King was rushed in for arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday afternoon after scans revealed cartilage damage on Thursday.
Club doctor Chris Bradshaw admitted the latest injury setback was a ``real blow'' for King, who had shown signs of returning to his best form during last Sunday's VFL clash against Bendigo.
``King felt pain during the game on Saturday but played on and still played really well,'' Dr Bradshaw said.
``He pulled up sore and we tried to settle it down during the week, but it just wouldn't settle.''
Dr Bradshaw said the embattled ruckman, who has suffered a string of injuries in the past five seasons, had handled the news well.
``He got his head around it quickly and was in pretty good spirits when I spoke to him this morning,'' he said.
Geelong football manager Neil Balme said the injury setback was ``disappointing, but not the end of the world'' for the former captain.
``There is still plenty of time in the season. I haven't had the full report on the surgery but hopefully they have fixed what was wrong and he can get back in business,'' Balme said.
``He's a very important player for us and has been a quality player for a long time. We just want him to recover and get back on track.''
Dr Bradshaw said the average recovery time for arthroscopic surgery was four weeks, which would possibly sideline King up until the mid-season bye.
The knee injury is the latest setback for King, who missed the opening three matches of the season with a calf problem.
The two-time All-Australian ruckman returned to the Cats' senior side for two matches, but struggled for form and was duly dropped to the VFL.
The 28-year-old was dominant against Bendigo in the VFL at Skilled Stadium last Sunday, collecting more than 20 touches, booting four goals and controlling the ruck.
Cats coach Mark Thompson said yesterday he felt for King, who had shown glimpses of returning to his best.
``He was just so good last week,'' Thompson said. ``We certainly spoke about him heavily (at selection).''
But the coach said regardless of his injury, King would not have been brought back into the senior side this week.
The Cats have again opted for Brad Ottens and the emerging Mark Blake to ruck in tandem for today's clash against Fremantle.
From the Addy.
I swear, he is gone. We've been saying it for a while but this just backs it up.