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Travelling Tigers to rest stars
By Len Johnson
February 25 2003
Richmond - facing a trip to Geraldton, more than 400 kilometres north of Perth, this week for a practice match against Fremantle - has considered resting Matthew Richardson and several other star players.
The Tigers were consigned to the trip across the continent after losing to Melbourne in the first round of the Wizard Cup competition last weekend. They are now wrestling with the problem of wanting to be competitive yet not risking vulnerable players in a practice match.
Football manager Greg Hutchison said yesterday that the Tigers would split the trip over two days. They leave Friday lunchtime, reaching Perth about 1pm local time. They will train at Subiaco and stay overnight in Perth before going to Geraldton on a charter flight the following day to play.
The Tigers will again stay in Perth on Saturday night, flying back to Melbourne on Sunday.
Geelong won its first-round match against the Western Bulldogs, but the reward is a trip to Cairns to play Brisbane. The Cats' football staff met yesterday to make sure they covered all aspects of the trip, especially coping with the expected heat and humidity.
Geelong football manager Garry Davidson said yesterday that it may have been fortunate that the team played in trying conditions against the Bulldogs. "Given it was so hot and humid here on the weekend, it was a good precursor," Davidson said.
The Cats will be allowed to play two extra players off the bench under the special rules for Wizard Cup games at hot-weather venues.
Davidson said the medical staff, the fitness staff and the coaching staff had drawn up a list of issues. "We've got good people. The change rooms are air-conditioned and there will be industrial fans on the bench."
The Cats will also use cool vests, ice, cool tanks and extra rotation of players to combat the heat.
Richmond football manager Greg Hutchison said the decision on whether to play Richardson depended on assessing his need for more work against the risks of a long flight.
AFL injury research over several seasons has shown that long flights leave players more vulnerable to hamstring strains and other soft-tissue injuries and Richardson has had had a history of hamstring problems.
Hutchison said the composition of the Richmond squad had been discussed yesterday morning and would be looked at tomorrow before decisions were made.
Ruckman Greg Stafford was unlikely because he had considerable game time in the match against Melbourne.
Players with existing injuries - such as skipper Wayne Campbell and Justin Blumfield - would also remain at home.
One probable inclusion is Martin McGrath, drafted from South Fremantle.
Carlton and Western Bulldogs also face long trips, the Blues playing Sydney in Coffs Harbour, while the Bulldogs go to Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley to play Port Adelaide
Travelling Tigers to rest stars
By Len Johnson
February 25 2003
Richmond - facing a trip to Geraldton, more than 400 kilometres north of Perth, this week for a practice match against Fremantle - has considered resting Matthew Richardson and several other star players.
The Tigers were consigned to the trip across the continent after losing to Melbourne in the first round of the Wizard Cup competition last weekend. They are now wrestling with the problem of wanting to be competitive yet not risking vulnerable players in a practice match.
Football manager Greg Hutchison said yesterday that the Tigers would split the trip over two days. They leave Friday lunchtime, reaching Perth about 1pm local time. They will train at Subiaco and stay overnight in Perth before going to Geraldton on a charter flight the following day to play.
The Tigers will again stay in Perth on Saturday night, flying back to Melbourne on Sunday.
Geelong won its first-round match against the Western Bulldogs, but the reward is a trip to Cairns to play Brisbane. The Cats' football staff met yesterday to make sure they covered all aspects of the trip, especially coping with the expected heat and humidity.
Geelong football manager Garry Davidson said yesterday that it may have been fortunate that the team played in trying conditions against the Bulldogs. "Given it was so hot and humid here on the weekend, it was a good precursor," Davidson said.
The Cats will be allowed to play two extra players off the bench under the special rules for Wizard Cup games at hot-weather venues.
Davidson said the medical staff, the fitness staff and the coaching staff had drawn up a list of issues. "We've got good people. The change rooms are air-conditioned and there will be industrial fans on the bench."
The Cats will also use cool vests, ice, cool tanks and extra rotation of players to combat the heat.
Richmond football manager Greg Hutchison said the decision on whether to play Richardson depended on assessing his need for more work against the risks of a long flight.
AFL injury research over several seasons has shown that long flights leave players more vulnerable to hamstring strains and other soft-tissue injuries and Richardson has had had a history of hamstring problems.
Hutchison said the composition of the Richmond squad had been discussed yesterday morning and would be looked at tomorrow before decisions were made.
Ruckman Greg Stafford was unlikely because he had considerable game time in the match against Melbourne.
Players with existing injuries - such as skipper Wayne Campbell and Justin Blumfield - would also remain at home.
One probable inclusion is Martin McGrath, drafted from South Fremantle.
Carlton and Western Bulldogs also face long trips, the Blues playing Sydney in Coffs Harbour, while the Bulldogs go to Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley to play Port Adelaide
