HS article: Rivers puts injury demons behind him

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from HS website front page:

Rivers puts injury demons behind him

• CYCLONE Hamish stole the headlines from the Demons at the weekend, but nothing could ruin Melbourne's 37-point win over the Lions.

Despite enduring horrendous conditions in Cairns, the Demons emerged with their first pre-season win in nine games since March 2007.
Not only did they notch a rare win, but former Rising Star Jared Rivers got through half a game after a horrific battle with groin and hip problems.
The 24-year old has played nine games in the past two years and turned his ankle five minutes into his comeback a fortnight ago.
Rivers pulled up well and is in consideration for a Round 1 game against North Melbourne.
The Demons travelled to Cairns for Friday night's match without seven first-choice players, including captain James McDonald, Aaron Davey, Brad Miller and Brad Green, but beat a Brisbane side only missing Simon Black.
This week the Demons take on the winless Western Bulldogs at Casey Fields and are hoping for a bumper crowd of about 10,000.
Demons football manager Craig Notman said Rivers was likely to play on Saturday.
"He was reasonably happy to get back out onto the park and he was pleased to get through.
"It is a softly-softly approach with him, but I am sure he is right in the mix to play next week and will get a little bit more game time too and build it up from there."
Of Melbourne's injury concerns, Russell Robertson (achilles) is a month away and Austin Wonaeamirri (hamstring), Paul Wheatley (calf) and Matthew Whelan (calf) are all a fortnight away.

Mark Jamar's foot injury will keep him out for another 4-6 weeks.
Rookie ruckman Jake Spencer cannot be elevated to the senior list because the Demons have two veterans, which will likely leave them a ruckman short going into Round 1.
Paul Johnson will lead the ruck brigade, but back-up ruckman John Meesen has not played a game since being recruited from Adelaide.
Draftees Jack Watts and Sam Blease are not expected to play for several months, but highly-rated onballer Jack Grimes will play on Saturday.

 

[Fairtex09]

all he needs is to get a few consecutive games under his belt and he'll back to his best I recon.