Birdman close to a return!

[Campbell's Chunky]

AFC just wrote a facebook message, stating Birdman to return this week!

To the SANFL of course.

And just wrote another saying - 'Burton update: Brett has tonight decided to delay his return for one more week .... is feeling tired after a few weeks of full training and doesn't want to push it too hard at this stage.'

Unfortunate, but good option!

 

[jo172]

That someone's updating the AFC's facebook status at 7 30 on a Wednesday night is somewhat unnerving

 

[cmndstab]

Confirmed: http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/79288/default.aspx

Goodwin out, Burton to wait

ADELAIDE captain Simon Goodwin has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium after struggling to overcome his knee injury.

The Crows were optimistic Goodwin, who strained his medial ligament in the win over Essendon in round 11, would miss just one match.

However, his 250th-game milestone remains on hold and though he trained briefly indoors on Wednesday, the club is wary of pushing Goodwin too hard in his rehabilitation.

Midfielder Nathan van Berlo said the returns of Graham Johncock and Richard Douglas from illness would help cover Goodwin’s absence.

"Goody has been trying to get himself up and he’s very diligent with what he does in trying to get right to play," van Berlo said on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, Simon’s not able to play this week, but as we showed last week there are a number of guys that can certainly come in, fill positions and play their role."

There was some better news out of training for high-flying forward Brett Burton.

Burton, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Collingwood in round 15 last year, has been cleared to make a comeback via the SANFL.

It won't be this weekend though, with the 31-year-old taking a cautious approach after feeling the effects of fatigue.

There were earlier suggestions he could bypass the reserves and line up for the Woodville-West Torrens senior side, despite being out of the game for nearly 12 months.

Van Berlo said Burton’s successful rehabilitation was a credit to his hard work and determination.

"Birdman has been jumping out of his skin for about the last six months. He’s been ahead of schedule for fair while and he’s another one who has worked so hard at his rehab," van Berlo said.

"Whoever plays on him on the weekend, if he gets a run, I feel sorry for because Bird will be running around like a fresh young boy."

Forward Nick Gill will not be running around any time soon.

Gill injured his ankle playing for North Adelaide on the weekend and scans have revealed a small fracture in the joint.

He is expected to miss five to six weeks of football.

 

[maccas_no1]

Confirmed: http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/79288/default.aspx

That injury to Gill will just about finish his AFL career.

 

[jenny61_99]

That injury to Gill will just about finish his AFL career.

It could well do. Although he may be "saved" ala McGregor as a depth player.

 

[cmndstab]

That injury to Gill will just about finish his AFL career.

The only way it will survive will be if a few of our other forwards fall over towards the end of the season.

 

[relapse]

It could well do. Although he may be "saved" ala McGregor as a depth player.

No, wont happen we have too many good youngsters on our list to keep Gill on our list. The only younger player who looks like will possibly be cut is Gallman other than I think our cuts will need to come from the middle tier and a retirement or two of senior players.

I would much rather keep someone like Kite on our list rather than cutting them in order to keep a player like Nick Gill on our list.

 

[jo172]

The only way it will survive will be if a few of our other forwards fall over towards the end of the season.

And there's always the disaster scenario of Taylor Walker or Stevens or Tippett falling over in a winning PF.

At which point I for one would feel slightly more comfortable with Gill than Sellar or McKernan.

 

[sbenno]

It could well do. Although he may be "saved" ala McGregor as a depth player.

Does gill really add "depth"? I would say no...

 

[RoosterLad]

Yes he does add depth actually......

It is a shame as he started to get fit and play good footy, was great against Sturt and was a huge loss when he went down early against Central.

I agree with jo too.. I'd rather bring Gill in than Sellar or SMACK...

 

[sbenno]

North Adelaide /Rolls eyes...

I dunno, I just don't like Gill. It seems everytime I watch him get the ball he burns it, or doesn't kick straight, or something equally stupid.

That is when he's not taking speccies...

 

[beartoo]

I'll third that. A fit and firing Gill is an awesome weapon. Problem is that it didn't happen often enough.

 

[beartoo]

Gill missed goals he should have kicked, but his field kicking is good. He also has that huge engine that is so difficult to match up on. He can take a good pack mark and his skills are great. People on this board have been down on him for a long time simply because he missed shots he should have nailed. He is a good footballer with an injury prone body. More is the pity, because he could have been a champ.

 

[cmndstab]

Gill missed goals he should have kicked, but his field kicking is good. He also has that huge engine that is so difficult to match up on. He can take a good pack mark and his skills are great. People on this board have been down on him for a long time simply because he missed shots he should have nailed. He is a good footballer with an injury prone body. More is the pity, because he could have been a champ.

Don't know about "champ" but he could have been a solid AFL footballer, a 100-gamer. Unfortunately I think this is just one chance too many now for his body to do the right thing by him. We'll see I guess. If there's ever a year you want to have your 50/50 resigning it's this one, with the Crows having turned over half the list already and the draft pool being shallower.

 

[Trevanian]

It could well do. Although he may be "saved" ala McGregor as a depth player.

His only real chance was an attacking player coming off the back-line, something he could be well suited for, this injury really will finish him off unless as others suggest come finals someone goes down, i would suggest if he was back in fitness and hitting the ball pre-injury he would be 1st drop.

 

[Vader]

Does gill really add "depth"? I would say no...

I'd say no... not because he's not a decent player, but because he's perpetually injured. If he's not available (and he rarely is), then he can't provide you with any depth.

 

[Jars458]

How can Brett be fatigued after not playinf for a year and supposedlly jumping out of his skin during the week?

 

[cmndstab]

How can Brett be fatigued after not playinf for a year and supposedlly jumping out of his skin during the week?

Full training for the past month after a year of not using certain muscles. It's not surprising at all.

 

[Vader]

It does beg the question though. How long will he need to spend in the SANFL building up some match fitness, given that he was "fatigued" just through training.

 

[jo172]

It also begs the question as to how much of it is fatiuge and whether Brett could be a bit gun-shy. Possibly having not played competitive footy for 12 months added with the innocous way he did his knee the possibility of returning is a little scary and he doesn't want to do it not feeling 100%?

 

[Crow-mo]

It also begs the question as to how much of it is fatiuge and whether Brett could be a bit gun-shy. Possibly having not played competitive footy for 12 months added with the innocous way he did his knee the possibility of returning is a little scary and he doesn't want to do it not feeling 100%?

fair call.