No King Round 1

[geelong_boy]

Injury stalls King again
20 March 2007 Herald-Sun
Scott Gullan


STEVEN King's horror injury run continues, with the former Geelong skipper to miss Round 1.

King has again suffered a soft-tissue injury, this time to his calf, which will sideline him from the Cats' Telstra Dome clash against the Western Bulldogs.
While it was initially reported the ruckman had received only a kick to the calf during Saturday's practice match against Melbourne, scans yesterday revealed the bad news.

"He has had a scan and it showed there to be a strain," Geelong football manager Neil Balme said.

"He is obviously in some doubt for Round 1. With his history it certainly isn't good."

King gave up the captaincy at the end of last year after another frustrating season in which his body let him down.

He suffered hamstring and calf injuries and was never at full capacity despite playing 18 games.

A refreshed and rejuvenated King, 28, recently said he was having the best preparation for a season in more than four years.

The Cats will be forced to play youngster Mark Blake in the ruck with Brad Ottens his back-up.

 

[Rustybugles]

As suspected - hardly on the ground on Saturday. Looks like a repeat of last year where he went into the season injured - and stayed that way.

"Once again, the big man just could not get his body quite right and while he led the Cats in 18 games, many were played under duress. By season’s end, he had relinquished the captaincy and Geelong is hoping he can now concentrate on returning to the form he showed in 2000 and 2002. A fit-and-firing King is crucial to the Cats turning the corner this year." - from our website - says it all !

Woe is us!

 

[cat_fanatic]

Damn it!

Out: King
In: Hawkins?

 

[cats2rise]

Go Blake! Go son!

 

[scottydeewah]

Darcy is out.

Is Minson (spl) too?

So who are rucks?

 

[someday-somehow]

Blake has been rucking poorly and it looks as if ottens will have to spend most of his time there which is a huge shame considering the outs for the dogs, we needed to stretch their defence and without ottens in the forward line that will make it harder. Still this is a chance for Blake to step up to the fold

 

[JUBJUB]

I didn't have King in my Rd1 team,so no loss.

 

[catswhiskers]

I think this is a blessing in disguise. King cannot go 100% any more and the catters cannot afford to carry him any longer.

Blake in. Ottens to ruck in forward 50 only - to reduce the run needed from Blake. This should allow Ottens to stay inside 50 all game, and Blake to ruck most of the game.

Keep it simple.

 

[BlueNWhite]

Blake has been rucking poorly and it looks as if ottens will have to spend most of his time there which is a huge shame considering the outs for the dogs, we needed to stretch their defence and without ottens in the forward line that will make it harder. Still this is a chance for Blake to step up to the fold

I reckon Blakos has been rucking reasonably considering the stage he's at in his development as a senior ruck...give the kid a chance!

 

[winty]

Could this open the door for West to make his debut?

 

[JUBJUB]

Could this open the door for West to make his debut?

Not yet.Ottens/Blake ruck,NA full forward.

 

[Oscarlett]

In reality King was always going to miss some games. So we deal with it, evry club has similar issues.

As one of our injury prone - I would prefer to have Harley (touch wood) for the majority of the year, including finals.

In regards to rucking I'm comfortable with Blake, we know he can't kick, but his tap work is better than most and we now have the runners to provide him assistance when he does get the ball.

Ottens is the key, he can play 5-10 in the ruck, and then full-forward. He is said to be the fittest he has been, so this should work.

 

[rickster]

When is he contracted to? Seriously hope he would consider retiring at the end of this contract. It is getting embarrassing.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

Another year like the past three years, and you would think King may pull the pin come seasons end.

Agree with JUBJUB, I think we will see the Ottens/Blake combination with Nablett to start. Also might see Mooney float around in the middle if Ottens goes forward and Blake needs a rest or is struggling.

 

[Partridge]

Another year like the past three years, and you would think King may pull the pin come seasons end.

Agree with JUBJUB, I think we will see the Ottens/Blake combination with Nablett to start. Also might see Mooney float around in the middle if Ottens goes forward and Blake needs a rest or is struggling.

I wouldn't move Mooney under any circumstances. He has looked our best forward throughout the entire preseason. Blake first ruck, Ottens to relieve him if need be. Keep Mooney and N.Ablett in the forward line.

 

[RememberMe]

When is he contracted to? Seriously hope he would consider retiring at the end of this contract. It is getting embarrassing.

I used to be his biggest fan. Growing up, Kingy was a legend in my books. He should've retired last year, or the year before, while he still had some dignity.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

None of us should be surprised at this news. Blake will have to step up.

 

[Tristagi]

Damn it!

Out: King
In: Hawkins?

agreed, roate Ottens/Mooney/Blake in the ruck and then have Hawkins up forward when ottens or moons ruck...

this is no biggy, we arn't really use to havin out number one ruckman play..

 

[della]

why are people in love with Hawkins playing rnd 1, it's not going to happen, clearly the young man isnt ready for the big time yet, anyone who has watched him play the last few matches would know this, yes the kid can play and will be a very good player for us for many a year but lets get over the Hawkings facination at the moment and let him develop his games in the 2's.

Lets worry about Nathan stepping up if Ottens needs to ruck and lets see some development from him now hes been in the system 3 years, i'm alot more interested in where he is going then Hawkins at this stage.

 

[someday-somehow]

I reckon Blakos has been rucking reasonably considering the stage he's at in his development as a senior ruck...give the kid a chance!

That may have appearred critical of the lad after reading it again, my point is the last few weeks have not been his best and we now require him to at least perform to his previous best level...I'm sure he will give it his all and the experience can only help him.
On the plus side not having King in means we don't have a player that can only play 10 minutes of each quarter taking up a valuable spot on the bench.

 

[Dont you hate pants?]

No suprises here. If King was a horse...he would have been put down years ago!
The way I figure, losing him first up wont damage us too much. We have played a fair bit with him not out there, or not up to scratch so its business as usual. Just a real shame that now Otto will be forced from the forward line to help out with rucking duties. Hopefully Blake can carry the load for most of the game and allow Otto more time down forward rather than rucking. Could be a blessing, particulary for this game against the bullies. With their speed through the midfield king would have looked like a damned fire hydrant as they all woosh past him.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

No suprises here. If King was a horse...he would have been put down years ago!
The way I figure, losing him first up wont damage us too much. We have played a fair bit with him not out there, or not up to scratch so its business as usual. Just a real shame that now Otto will be forced from the forward line to help out with rucking duties. Hopefully Blake can carry the load for most of the game and allow Otto more time down forward rather than rucking. Could be a blessing, particulary for this game against the bullies. With their speed through the midfield king would have looked like a damned fire hydrant as they all woosh past him.

In all seriousness, why don't we consider Playfair in the ruck? At 198cm and relatively mobile, he could be the best option.

 

[GeeCat]

Blakey to start, Otto to relieve for 10 mins a quarter.

Start getting used to it.

 

[Dont you hate pants?]

In all seriousness, why don't we consider Playfair in the ruck? At 198cm and relatively mobile, he could be the best option.

Another consideration worth debating about. Hank has got youth on his side, mobile and can take a contested grab now and then. It would be worthwhile throwing it out there. Even if he was to get mopped up in the ruck duals he contests, surely our midfielders would be able to pick off some loose balls every now and then, or simply play man-on-man?
Hank needs to bring some versatility into his game, having some rucking experience would surely be a nice notch on the belt and most importantly results in otto playing forward where he is most damaging

 

[Xcat]

I like Blake in the ruck, esp at the center bounces. Thought he did very well against Lade and Brogan in Darwin in the pouring rain. Let him have a crack as first choice ruckman, not off the bench. It could be the making of him as a player.