I'd heard some stories about how bad his knee was. Looks like those stories were true. Poor guy. We really need a small defender (and a small forward, and some good mids, and . . .)

RR, we seem to agree on many things - but not Bennell.

Would you please get off his back. The guy's got class and we need to keep developing him. His upside is massive IMO.

And, for what it's worth, the Eagles were apparently red hot for him for the pick after we selected him, and I reckon they know how to identify a good WA junior (eg, Mr Darling).

Back to the main purpose of this thread, I hope to see a fit and fighting Clint Bartram back in the starting line up in 2013.

I've always been torn on Clint, love his attack and intensity but shuddered at some of his disposal. Loved him in the team though and he is the type of player every team needs. Will be a big loss if he can't come back.

PS His goal against the Saints this year was brilliant, I haven't cheered louder for a goal this year except against the Bombers. Inside out banana on the run, jjust a crazy goal.

Skip to 20 seconds in.

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Very tough for Barty and the Club. We can ill afford to lose one of the few I would describe as 'heart and soul' players.

Terrible luck for Clint and I wish him well in his recovery, but will anyone admit to thinking "Gee I wish Bartram was playing today" at any time during the games against either Essendon or Collingwood? I know I didn't.

I did vs Collingwood as with Garland up forward we missed Barty on the ground in defence and got sliced as a result.

Barty is a solid non-blinking backman and worth his salt.

I did vs Collingwood as with Garland up forward we missed Barty on the ground in defence and got sliced as a result.

Barty is a solid non-blinking backman and worth his salt.

Absolutely. While certainly no "superstar", Clint has given his heart & soul for the MFC. Could never question his commitment or effort!

Very sad to hear this news. Just 24 years of age, and you would have to say his career is very much at the cross-roads. I certainly hope they can find a fix for him, so he can get another chance down the track (hopefully by the start of the 2013 Season).

Hey LD - there is little medicine offers for a degenerative joint. Cartilage can be harvested and grown in the lab but is only good for repairing relatively small holes. In the future this is where stem cell harvesting will really be beneficial - being able to isolate stem cells from the patients own supply and insert them in to the damaged site. This could eventually make joint replacement surgery (the end stage of degenerative joint disease) a thing of the past.

A relatively new treatment is Interleukin 1 Antagonist injections (performed right at the Demons home - Imaging @Olympic Park). This protein is isolated from the patients blood and acts as an anti-inflammatory and stops the progression of the degenerative disease.

I presume the club is all over this treatment for Clint.

It is certainly possible that with this treatment and correctly managed training loads CB can play again. He won't be in for a long career though - especially with a shrinking interchange bench.

I remember Roger James from the power with a similar problem. Used to have polymer substitute cartilage injected into his knee before each game. Don't know how long that would last and if they have made improvements since then.

PS His goal against the Saints this year was brilliant, I haven't cheered louder for a goal this year except against the Bombers. Inside out banana on the run, jjust a crazy goal.

Skip to 20 seconds in.

cheers, forgot that one - what a ripper, not just the wrong-way banana but the baulk

in fact, that whole clip makes us look like champions - the take-away from the stoppage at the start is like a dream sequence!

back on topic, bartram has definitely played the best footy of his career this year.. let's hope this isn't the end for him

1. Think we can expect quite a few players to be given an early season end as we try experiment & prepare for the future.
   

About that "dream stoppage," it was Jamar in the ruck (no surprise), Trengove third man up (makes sense, I suppose), Grimes with the collect (hint, hint: he's good in the midfield), and Morton waiting on the outside (oh no! but he's SOFT!). You might argue that anyone could do what Morton did. The fact is it was Morton who did it.

Also of note is that in the forward-line, the first thing Sylvia decided to do when he got the ball was to go for an across the body miracle shot at goal into a wall of about ten St Kilda blokes. In one of our best team goals of the year, Sylvia was too focused on himself to give the quick handball to Bate in the clear. What does that tell you? The fact that Bartram's typically sublime skills(!) were still able to get us a goal out of that situation is a testament to the great team-work of the other six of our guys in the area.

Edited June 21, 201213 yr by Chook

1. Think we can expect quite a few players to be given an early season end as we try experiment & prepare for the future.
   

for only your 4th post here thats quite an insight. I too am wondering at what point the 'desire' to win at all costs for seemingly little reward versus the 'controled' development ( in this instance..real list management ) whereby games in new legs plus a better tiltat draft beckons.

Yes its a tired old argument and in manyways as welcome as the oft rolled out " time to rebuild" line but just like a stopped clock its still right ....sometimes.

Im not suggesting the cue will be back inthe rack straight away...but maybe with 5-6 games to go, the outcome clearly written on the wall,that as Nineteen suggests there may be some early rehab for some...and continued,furthered experimentation ( with ajudication )with players in what may appear odd positions/roles.

His knees are absolutely shot.

I hope whatever he does is best for his future. Hobbling at 25 is rather terrifying.

On Barty , is this where all parties just need to bite the bullet . If he's really that shot then ought he simply retire immediately with the club helping with his physical rehab, payout whatever is due and we move on ? I only suggest this if there is no reasonable expectations of him being able to resume at this elite level with results suitable to all concerned then isnt this the realistic and fair thing ?

Nichoson will need to fill the role. Bit of a lifeline for Nicho