Rivers flowing again

[Marns]

Rivers flowing again

5:32 PM Mon 8 October, 2007 | Back
By Luke Holmesby
for melbournefc.com.au

JARED Rivers began his 2008 campaign before everyone else had even finished their 2007.
The 22-year-old had plenty of time to think about next year after succumbing to a groin injury that restricted him to just three senior games for the season.
While laying on the medical table as his team battled through a forgettable season, Rivers was already planning for next year.

"I had an operation three months ago so I'm going to start pre-season a bit earlier and hopefully get a bit of fitness up before the boys get back into it," Rivers said.

"I've missed so much football and I want to be a lot fitter than I was last year."
The tall defender and 2004 AFL Rising Star was sorely missed by the Demons, who were regularly plugging holes in defence.

In a year where Rivers was expected to establish himself as one of the competition's leading backmen, Rivers' season barely got off the ground before he had written it off.

But a new season and a new coach in Dean Bailey brings new hope to the man many have ranked one of the best young defenders in the game.

"The best thing about having a new coach is that everyone's on a level playing field. You've got to try to impress Dean, Chris Connolly and the new assistants so it is good to get a fresh start," he said.

Rivers believes the introduction of Bailey could be just what the Demons needed.

"We had a bit of a debrief on the Wednesday after the season.

"I think he's gone around to a few players and had a chat and told them his expectations for the season so we'll know exactly what's required of us before pre-season training kicks off."

Good to see he's up and running. Let's start praying that he can stay fit.

 

[Unleash Hell]

Good to see he's up and running. Let's start praying that he can stay fit.

That is good to hear. We miss you Rivo

 

[the russian40]

will be our best pick up (of sorts) over the summer

 

[river man]

Welcome back big fella.....hope you come back bigger and better than ever. Also hope you have travis to kick to out on the wing.....it would be a travisty if we lost him....

 

[demonfan9]

I love Rivers.

Gun.

 

[TURKEY92]

thats very good news.

hahaha nice title btw.

 

[melbournemartin]

Sounds great. AA CHB in the making.

 

[davey_magik]

Please god don't get injured.

My favourite player after Beamer, I can remember all those great marks he's taken running back with the flight.
If he stays fit our backline will be twice as good as it is now.

 

[Hellbourne]

Great news!

 

[Deenamite]

Will be a star. I'm praying he doesn't pull a Scott Thompson on us.

 

[demonfan9]

When is the R-I-V-E-R-S fan club going to make a comeback?

 

[Bronze]

I reckon they should play him at FB next year....would be a very creative fullback.

 

[bringbackschwarter5]

I reckon they should play him at FB next year....would be a very creative fullback.

Not big enough and too valuable when running off the 2nd or 3rd tall forward

 

[Marns]

Much like Scarlett you reckon? I could live with that. Interesting to see if he's bulked up much.

 

[melbournemartin]

He'd make a great FB or CHB to be honest. Play him on the best ****ing opponents whether it's Pavlich, Brown, Riewoldt or Franklin. He played on Franklin this year and the only times that he looked dangerous were when Rivers was off the ground

 

[The Great Gabsby]

Woo! Go Rivers!! Far and away my favourite player.

Makes our backline look at least somewhat respectable.