Ball Out... Again

[GusIsBack]

Just implied by Lyon... Ball's not playing in the Essendon match.

 

[sainter]

That appears to be the case. The loss of Gram is potentially an even bigger blow because we've at least got a good group of midfielders to cover Bally's absence.

Ball still in doubt

Already without the suspended Fraser Gehrig, the Saints should not count on having co-captain Luke Ball or ruckman Matthew Clarke available for next Saturday's clash with Essendon, according to coach Ross Lyon.

And running defender Jason Gram is in doubt with general soreness caused by the hard surface at Telstra Dome.

Ball, who has missed the Saints' clashes with the Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs after being severely concussed in a clash of heads with Demons defender Matthew Whelan in round one, was scheduled to undergo more brain scans on Tuesday.

"Cognitively he's alright, functionally he's perfect, but there's an element of risk and until that disappears, he won’t play," said Lyon.

"We've got some worries; we're going to be a long way off full strength."

Lyon said he was "hopeful" that Clarke, a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs on Saturday with a hamstring strain picked up at training earlier in the week, would be available, but that he too was doubtful.

On the upside, Lyon said that Nick Riewoldt had pulled up well after his first-up four-goal outing against the Bulldogs last Saturday night following a pre-season severely curtailed by a torn hamstring.

"I was thrilled to have one of our captains back and he duly delivered and that was nice," Lyon said.

"It was good for him because he's been frustrated. It's good for our supporters, they love seeing their stars."

Lyon said the Saints, already without key defenders Max Hudghton and Matt Maguire, would plan for the Bombers to go in "as tall as they can go" up forward on Saturday.

"We'll deal with the players we have got available and … pick our best team and go out there are compete."

And in keeping with his "control the controllables" credo, Lyon had little to offer on the subject of Gehrig's one match suspension for striking Bulldogs' full-back Brian Harris at Telstra Dome last Sunday.

"No thoughts, it's done and dusted. Let's move on, that's life," Lyon said.

"It's not ideal having a key forward out - we'll have to restructure."

Lyon said that Michael Gardiner was a good chance to play his first match for the season in the VFL on Saturday after recovering from a foot injury.

Link

 

[GusIsBack]

Anyone know how Clarke's going? Is he set to play?

More news on Gram would be good too...

 

[foxy_dal]

far out as if we don't have enough injury problems already

 

[MacMum]

I question the medical staff at St.Kilda..not only did they let Ball go back on the ground after the head clash..they then pass him fit to play last week..just as well his parents were around and stepped in..AND were proven correct that he WASN'T right yet!! Then there is Matty Maguire..Bad leg break, similiar to Nathan Browns..yet approx 6mnths later he's ready to play..and what happens...a problem with his leg flairs up!! Also all their soft tissue injuries....Makes you wonder,surely!! Have a soft spot for Saints so hope Luke and Matty recover 100% super fit!!

 

[Rough_Edges]

He won't play. Neither will Clarke.

 

[panthers]

I question the medical staff at St.Kilda..not only did they let Ball go back on the ground after the head clash..they then pass him fit to play last week..just as well his parents were around and stepped in..AND were proven correct that he WASN'T right yet!! Then there is Matty Maguire..Bad leg break, similiar to Nathan Browns..yet approx 6mnths later he's ready to play..and what happens...a problem with his leg flairs up!! Also all their soft tissue injuries....Makes you wonder,surely!! Have a soft spot for Saints so hope Luke and Matty recover 100% super fit!!

And you know all of this HOW? you have NFI what went on or has gone on at the StKilda Football Club. and I DONT have a soft spot for the Lions

 

[sainter]

He passed the concussion tests and went back onto the ground.

It looked like he was right to play against Brisbane but they erred on the side of caution and then he was checked out by a neurologist and they've decided he isn't right. He won't play again until they give the club the all clear. Ray Ball was 100% supportive of the way the St Kilda Football Club and club doctor Ian Stone have handled his recovery.

It's all very well for you to question our medical staff but unless you're a doctor we're just going to have to put our faith in them. They are infinitely more qualified than we'll ever be.

There's no problem with his Maguire's leg by the way. It's a stress fracture in his foot. On the surface it seems like he tried to come back too early. Again we'll probably never know.

 

[MacMum]

And you know all of this HOW? you have NFI what went on or has gone on at the StKilda Football Club. and I DONT have a soft spot for the Lions

My My..what an angry person you sound!! I came to this conclusion from bits and pieces on t.v .. in papers ..and on radio...everything i said was right at the time..Luke WASN'T right then..Matty STILL isn't right..and its well recorded about the soft tissue injuries..so i repeat..good luck to both Matty and Luke.........p.s SMILE so much nicer!

 

[Kildonan]

He may sound angry - but he's right - you have no idea - and are just offerring your uninformed opinion.

Please make any further posts on this board more positive or you run the risk of being thought of as a troll.

 

[panthers]

He may sound angry - but he's right - you have no idea - and are just offerring your uninformed opinion.

Please make any further posts on this board more positive or you run the risk of being thought of as a troll.

Thanks for your support StKildonan...i personally have had a bellyfull of non saints members/supporters trying to have a crack at OUR team. I for one do not even go on other football club forums but for whatever reason weseem to get all sorts of non sainters here. As i said no-one except the club themself no the ins and outs of how or what we do at Moorabbin

 

[MacMum]

He may sound angry - but he's right - you have no idea - and are just offerring your uninformed opinion.

Please make any further posts on this board more positive or you run the risk of being thought of as a troll.

Sorry guys..i thought i was very positive in my attitude to another club..paticularly as the Saints are my Hubbys team and his family are all members..but hey...i wont bother wishing your players a speedy recovery anymore...as a matter of fact..you guys are the first aggro saints supporters ive come across..i guess every club has some........pity! Ciao