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He's Back!
2:27:15 PM Wed 10 July, 2002
Angus Morgan & Barry Levinson
afl.com.au
Things are on the up-and-up at Carlton. Fresh from securing their second win for the season last Friday, the club has announced that superstar Anthony Koutoufides will return to action against Melbourne next Sunday.
Koutoufides has been sidelined since undergoing a knee reconstruction for an injury suffered during last year’s finals series. Kouta’s anterior cruciate ligament gave way when Richmond’s Matthew Knights fell across his leg at the MCG.
Koutoufides, who will wear a knee brace on Sunday, declared himself ready for action at a media conference at Optus Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s been a long time coming, a long road back and finally it’s here this week. I was pretty close last week, but we thought we’d wait another week. I'm really excited – nervous as you’d expect – but can’t wait to get back on the field again,” Koutoufides said.
Koutoufides has been taking part in full-training for several weeks, including full contact work for most of that time. He expects to wear the brace for the remainder of the season.
“I’ve been training with this (pointing to the brace) for the last six weeks or so. (It’s) a bit uncomfortable but just gives you a bit more protection and a bit more confidence when you’re running around and training.”
After 10 months on the sidelines, he agreed that the build-up to Sunday would be similar to playing his first game all over again.
“It is a bit like that. You’re never sure if you’re really ready or not, but I’ve done all the training and everything I can and now the next step is to get out there on Sunday against Melbourne.”
While a fit Koutoufides would slot nicely into a key defensive position, he said he would prefer to return to a midfield role.
“I wouldn’t mind running around a bit. Certainly not playing too far back or too far forward, somewhere in between would be nice.”
The Blues champion said he would have been ready to resume a fortnight ago, had it not been for a muscle seizure in his lower back.
While he believes his fitness levels are comparable with the end of previous pre-season campaigns, he is not expecting to play a full game against the Demons.
”Four quarters would probably be a big task for me, I would think. If I can play a half to three quarters I’d be pretty happy.”
“You can train all you want, but until you get out there and play footy, you certainly feel a different affect out there. I’m looking forward to just getting out there and running around and enjoying myself.”
Even though the Blues are not in contention for a spot in the finals, Koutoufides said he never considered delaying his return until next season. He said the remaining eight rounds will provide the opportunity for himself and the rest of the team to prepare for an improved 2003.
“This is going to be a test for me to see how well I’m going. It will give me an indication of where I need to improve for next year. I’ve got eight weeks to really do it and find out where I am.”
“It will be good for the team too, to see where we sit compared to the rest of the competition.”
Koutoufides is Carlton’s reigning best-and-fairest and a two-time All Australian.
2:27:15 PM Wed 10 July, 2002
Angus Morgan & Barry Levinson
afl.com.au
Things are on the up-and-up at Carlton. Fresh from securing their second win for the season last Friday, the club has announced that superstar Anthony Koutoufides will return to action against Melbourne next Sunday.
Koutoufides has been sidelined since undergoing a knee reconstruction for an injury suffered during last year’s finals series. Kouta’s anterior cruciate ligament gave way when Richmond’s Matthew Knights fell across his leg at the MCG.
Koutoufides, who will wear a knee brace on Sunday, declared himself ready for action at a media conference at Optus Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s been a long time coming, a long road back and finally it’s here this week. I was pretty close last week, but we thought we’d wait another week. I'm really excited – nervous as you’d expect – but can’t wait to get back on the field again,” Koutoufides said.
Koutoufides has been taking part in full-training for several weeks, including full contact work for most of that time. He expects to wear the brace for the remainder of the season.
“I’ve been training with this (pointing to the brace) for the last six weeks or so. (It’s) a bit uncomfortable but just gives you a bit more protection and a bit more confidence when you’re running around and training.”
After 10 months on the sidelines, he agreed that the build-up to Sunday would be similar to playing his first game all over again.
“It is a bit like that. You’re never sure if you’re really ready or not, but I’ve done all the training and everything I can and now the next step is to get out there on Sunday against Melbourne.”
While a fit Koutoufides would slot nicely into a key defensive position, he said he would prefer to return to a midfield role.
“I wouldn’t mind running around a bit. Certainly not playing too far back or too far forward, somewhere in between would be nice.”
The Blues champion said he would have been ready to resume a fortnight ago, had it not been for a muscle seizure in his lower back.
While he believes his fitness levels are comparable with the end of previous pre-season campaigns, he is not expecting to play a full game against the Demons.
”Four quarters would probably be a big task for me, I would think. If I can play a half to three quarters I’d be pretty happy.”
“You can train all you want, but until you get out there and play footy, you certainly feel a different affect out there. I’m looking forward to just getting out there and running around and enjoying myself.”
Even though the Blues are not in contention for a spot in the finals, Koutoufides said he never considered delaying his return until next season. He said the remaining eight rounds will provide the opportunity for himself and the rest of the team to prepare for an improved 2003.
“This is going to be a test for me to see how well I’m going. It will give me an indication of where I need to improve for next year. I’ve got eight weeks to really do it and find out where I am.”
“It will be good for the team too, to see where we sit compared to the rest of the competition.”
Koutoufides is Carlton’s reigning best-and-fairest and a two-time All Australian.
