Francou's knee gone again

[Ford Fairlane]

from the Port website

Francou struck down again
11:49:54 AM Wed 28 January, 2004
PortAdelaideFC.com.au
Josh Francou’s 2004 comeback has ended before it began after injuring his knee at training on Wednesday morning. The club confirmed the 2002 Brownlow Medal runner-up has again torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Francou missed all but the first two games of the 2003 season when he twisted his knee in a tackle with Lions captain Michael Voss on April 5.


Since then the All Australian endured many setbacks including deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) but things had been looking up for Francou since being able to run without discomfort in December. He was aiming to be part of some of the Power’s pre-season and then join the team in Round 1.

The club will hold a media conference to discuss the injury later on Monday. More updates then.

 

[Portia]

****.

 

[Paralowiepower]

Im speechless

 

[Beffery]

****.... **** **** **** **** ****.

It must be a Port thing.. it always come in two's.

I hope someone is wrapping Roger and Matty in bubble wrap as we speak.

****.

 

[Sandola]

no.

 

[Nicski]

Geez he must be devastated. I know I am.

I really really hope it's somehow not as bad as it seems.

 

[Andre]

****ing hell. And here I was thinking unlike last year, to this point we had had a good pre-season compared to last year injury wise. Then this.

Unfortunately at his age and what will now be 2 years on the side lines Josh's career looks largely over. Not my favourite player, but always near the top of my list of most admired power players. One of the few top gun AFL midfielders who isn't an arrogant SOB to go with it.

The only positive (and it doesn't feel like much consellation right now) is Choco will hopefully give our younger midfielders more time and responsibility sooner.

 

[Portia]

Actually it probably means that Mahoney comes in.

 

[Andre]

Originally posted by Porthos
Actually it probably means that Mahoney comes in.

That's adding insult to injury, literally and figuratively.

 

[noddy]

Shocking news, nobody likes to see anyone's season end like this especially a player of Francou's class & courage.

 

[Leaping Lindner]

That is devastating for Josh. He'll be shattered. I really hope he can come back better than ever for 2005.

 

[Portia]

If he was 22 it wouldn't be half as bad.

 

[Kid Dynamite!]

...

To add to that, who's pocket have we shat in to deserve this?

<--- Me at the moment.

 

[dasler]

Best wishes for a speedy and fruitful recovery.

 

[The Doctor]

Thats rotten luck for Francou and the club. Terrible news.

I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

 

[Andre]

Originally posted by Porthos
If he was 22 it wouldn't be half as bad.

Exactly. We've already seen with both Lade and Wilson that two consecutive years on the side lines leaves most of the third year to get back up to speed. Which would give us a Josh at his best in 2006. I'd like to be proven wrong, but Josh is older then both those guys, so I can't see him having a quicker return to form after such a break

 

[macca23]

What a stinker!!! There's no justice at all when a nice guy and an excellent footballer gets shafted by the footy gods as he has.

Hang in there Josh, surely the wheel has to turn.

 

[Macca19]

Well thats just ****ed isnt it. To be truthful i was sort of expecting it at some point.

Our season could be down the toilet already now.

No Francou, no James till round 6-8, Stevens not with us anymore. Our midfield options look very slim for Round 1.

Puts a lot of pressure on Mahoney to step up and take his chances now. Salopek, Ebert, Hall, Cassisi all have to realise their potential and raise their bar up quite a bit.

 

[understudy]

Originally posted by Macca19
no James till round 6-8,

Serious question port fans whats up with James, injured is he?

Very hard to keep abreast of injuries this time of year.

 

[Portia]

James is still getting over the groin injury that kept him out of the 2003 finals series.

 

[Portia]

I'm really not convinced that our chances are much worse than before. Francou coming back as All-Australian Francou was never really on the cards.

 

[Russian]

Would've thought they'd learn about coming back too early from knee recos by now, esp after Wilbur. Bad luck Josh.

Surjan and Hassan's chances of playing this year have improved dramatically. Kingsley's chances of keeping his gold pass are now unbackable.

 

[sog35]

Gutted.

Although I've had my 3 pieces of bad luck for the week so I'm looking forward to a good rest of 2004.

And as Russian said we get a good look at one of our rookies as well as one would surely come onto the main list for the season now.

 

[Portmanteau]

**** **** mother****ing bull****...

 

[Groove]

My car seat covers got stolen today, I missed out on going to a concert i wanted to and now this! what a sh;t day.