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Wakes was just on 5aa and he sounded pretty confident of being back by the GF. Maybe the Prelim by the sound of it. Would be great if he could get back but as i've stated previously i've still got my doubts as to whether it is such a good idea.
I missed a little of the interview but that was what i picked up (the fact he was pretty confident to get back, not suprising really), did anyone catch the full interview and did he speak of anything else of interest?
dreamkillers
3 Sep 2002, 19:17
From the club's website.......interesting comments about the Bickley apology.......
Wakelin pencils-in prelim return (http://portadelaidefc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=57891)
Wakelin pencils-in prelim return
Paul Gough afl.com.au Tue 3 September, 2002
Port Adelaide key defender Darryl Wakelin has declared he will be ready for a shock comeback by preliminary final week from the broken cheekbone he suffered only three weeks ago.
Wakelin suffered the serious injury in a controversial clash with Mark Bickley in the round 20 local showdown with the former Adelaide skipper copping a five match suspension.
The former St Kilda full-back will definitely sit out Friday night’s first qualifying final against Collingwood at AAMI Stadium – a game in which he would have been opposed to his identical twin brother Shane – but is confident he will be right for the preliminary final should Port win through to the penultimate week of the season by winning this week.
Although still bearing a bruise under his right eye, Wakelin trained with his teammates for the first time since the injury on Monday and is now looking at a range of protective headgear to assist him in returning to the field as soon as he can.
“When I spoke to the surgeon as soon as I had the injury I said ‘When is the soonest I can come back’ and he said it’s a four to six week injury,” Wakelin said on Tuesday morning.
“I’ve been running since last Friday and doing a bit on my own and I’ve got a bit of confidence out of that.”
“And I think realistically the preliminary final - that would be five weeks since I’ve had the injury - so that would be about the mark (to return).”
The return of Wakelin – the linchpin of the Port defence for most of the season – would be a huge boost to the Power in their quest for a first AFL premiership.
Wakelin admitted on Tuesday he has been shattered at missing the last two games – which has seen Port clinch top place for the first time by beating West Coast in Perth and then reigning premiers Brisbane in an epic encounter last week.
“The toughest thing is coming off such an enjoyable year for the team and be getting towards the finals and starting to feel really good and for something like that to happen,” he said of his injury.
“It was probably the most emotional I’ve been after a game on the weekend. I was very proud of the boys in the way they won and you certainly miss out on those great wins.”
“But I’m hoping I can get back and be involved in a couple of great wins by the end of the season.”
The popular Wakelin said he has been “overwhelmed” by the support he has received from his teammates and Port Adelaide’s officials and supporters.
And he admitted he had received a letter of apology from Bickley over their clash.
However Wakelin said he was not sure of what his feelings towards Bickley were now.
“Obviously I’ve had a little bit of time to think about that and I haven’t had a chance to speak to Mark. That’s a personal matter between me and him and we will cross that hurdle as it comes,” he said.
“It’s been well documented, and Adelaide has spoken of the fact, he wrote a letter and that’s about as far as I want to comment on that.”
Now all Wakelin is focused on is returning to the field as quickly as possible but admits regaining his confidence after such a serious facial injury will the toughest hurdle to overcome.
“You don’t know how you come back from these injuries and obviously never having anything like this before, you don’t know how you are going to react,” he said.
“But as far as physically - it will be fully healed by the end of the week and as far as doing the injury again there won’t be too much chance of that.”
Any one heading down to training this week?
Training is Wednesday at AAMI Stadium at 6.00pm.
Wonder if Wakes will be there?
Mudholian
3 Sep 2002, 21:09
As I recall it was pretty much what he said to 5aa, with a couple of additions. WHen asked about how he felt about Bickley he said that his first disappointment was that the team would be unsettled. It was a quality answer.
Another angle was his comments about speaking to his brother and getting some insight into Malthouse's coaching. Unfortunately he did not elaborate too much.
His progress is great news. I have to hand it to those who wrote to 5aa moaning about Waklein having the nerve to possibly be available before Bickley wil be.
dreamkillers
3 Sep 2002, 21:53
Originally posted by Eago77
Any one heading down to training this week?
Training is Wednesday at AAMI Stadium at 6.00pm.
Wonder if Wakes will be there?
I might have a peek as we fly over Footy Park on the trip down from Darwin.......too late to get to the session though........will be there next week though