http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...4-23211,00.html

Queensland teenager Ricky Petterd appears certain to play his first game, in defence, after some excellent performances in the Victorian Football League. He was a second-round choice, at No.30 overall at last year's national draft.

Daniher will have to decide between Tasmanian forward Colin Garland, 18, and Lynden Dunn, who played in the VFL last weekend after fracturing his cheekbone in the pre-season. James Frawley, Melbourne's first pick in last year's national draft, was on target for a first-round debut but was put out of action last month with a stress fracture in his foot.

This is what I liketo hear. Although the rest of the article is depressing.

After reading the article is seems that's it's just purely speculation by the author that Petterd will be selected. When people use the terms 'may' and 'appears certain to play' it's a fair bet that the coach isn't their source.

I haven't seen any Sandy games yet this year, would Buckley be in front of Pettard at the moment?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...4-23211,00.html

This is what I liketo hear. Although the rest of the article is depressing.

Why are the football gods [censored] all over us? What have we done to deserve this spate of injuries, which is the worst at any club that I can remember.

Why are the football gods [censored] all over us? What have we done to deserve this spate of injuries, which is the worst at any club that I can remember.

Sadly it's no the first time we've been in this position, remembering back to the 90's when Balme was coach we had Lyon, Schwartz, Prymke, G.Lovett, Tingay (and others I've forgotten) all with long term injuries. The heart and soul of the club were sitting in the grandstands week after week....very depressing.

Jesus, that article is horrible.

The fact that Petterd or Garlan MAY debut this weekend, doesn't really make up for the fact that Rivers, Moloney and Sylvia have all been ruled out, while TJ is no certainty either.

What the hell is going on with the OP epidemic down at the club?

Surely, after 4 years in the system, you would expect Sylvia to be fit and ready to play. As for Moloney, they clearly pushed him when he wasn't ready.

Grrrr. Depressing!

Surely, after 4 years in the system, you would expect Sylvia to be fit and ready to play. As for Moloney, they clearly pushed him when he wasn't ready.

It's OP. There's no such thing as "ready". If they waited until he was 100% over it then they'd be waiting until he withered away and died.

It's OP. There's no such thing as "ready". If they waited until he was 100% over it then they'd be waiting until he withered away and died.

I don't know too many players in the system who have suffered from OP for 4 years, to the point where they couldn't get on the field.

Luke Ball managed it, as have others.

I remember Stephen Powell had it operated on, spent a year on the sidelines, and made a full recovery.

If that's what it takes, then just do it.

He cannot continue to survive in this game if he can't play more than 2 VFL matches in a row. It must be terribly frustrating for him, and I wouldn't blame him if it completely wore him down mentally as well as physically.

We can give people new hearts, lungs and kidneys... surely there are medical solutions to this problem. Even if they are drastic, after 4 years it seems that we are well and truely ready to take drastic measures.

I don't know too many players in the system who have suffered from OP for 4 years, to the point where they couldn't get on the field.

Luke Ball managed it, as have others.

I remember Stephen Powell had it operated on, spent a year on the sidelines, and made a full recovery.

If that's what it takes, then just do it.

Luke Ball may've managed it but who's to say his was anywhere near as bad as Moloney's? If it's severe then you can't manage it. Powell is the best example of that. He could not get on the field without the operation.

I agree completely with your assertion that something drastic needs to be done or his career is over. It's getting beyond a joke now. And seriously, the guy must be shattered. It would be wearing him down mentally.

It was just your "they brought him back too soon" statement that I disagree with (or at the very least, think is unprovable).

Sylvia and Moloney both have serious, chronic OP

it is an absolute tragedy that 2 blokes so young with so much talent will never reach their potential

I don't know too many players in the system who have suffered from OP for 4 years, to the point where they couldn't get on the field.

Luke Ball managed it, as have others.

I remember Stephen Powell had it operated on, spent a year on the sidelines, and made a full recovery.

If that's what it takes, then just do it.

He cannot continue to survive in this game if he can't play more than 2 VFL matches in a row. It must be terribly frustrating for him, and I wouldn't blame him if it completely wore him down mentally as well as physically.

We can give people new hearts, lungs and kidneys... surely there are medical solutions to this problem. Even if they are drastic, after 4 years it seems that we are well and truely ready to take drastic measures.

Jaded unlike the standard and proven recovery process of 12 months for an RCL there is no such process for OP. I dont think you can say Moloney was played too early as it is not always clear to determine they are fully recovered.

With all these outs, you will finally get your "kids" playing.

Sylvia and Moloney both have serious, chronic OP

it is an absolute tragedy that 2 blokes so young with so much talent will never reach their potential

Its almost not worth playing these two for the year and letting them get over it. I don't know with OP, they may never be over it...

Go ricky, looks like a good kid... Like Jonesy, give him some game time and watch him bloom!!!

Given the likelihood that a few more losses would see us unable to have anything but a minor part in September (if at all) I hope someone at the club can bite the bullet on getting Sylvia and Moloney rested or even operated on if required and they aren't just kept going in the hope we can squeeze a handful of games out of each.

That would also give the inexperienced players more game time.

Which round will we put the cue in the rack?

Can someone please tell me what the deal is with Rivers? The club has told us nothing.

in the first 90 years of football, how many promising young stars had their careers cut down early by OP? why is this a new problem?

Go ricky, looks like a good kid... Like Jonesy, give him some game time and watch him bloom!!!

Hope the kids do well but in fairness, Jones looked good from day dot.

Why are the football gods [censored] all over us? What have we done to deserve this spate of injuries, which is the worst at any club that I can remember.

When you punish inept efforts with a nothing more than a frown, those that get frustrated & try to take up the slack often get hurt doing so.

Mmmm, Jones looked average during his first month or two at Sandringham. He was selected while in form and it continued at AFL level. He needed time to adapt to playing with men.

Osteitis Pubis - Wikipedia

I'm sure many have already read this, and in any case wiki is obviously not a reliable source, but still its an interesting read.

Not good news at all.

in the first 90 years of football, how many promising young stars had their careers cut down early by OP? why is this a new problem?

I'd guess that it was because the workload on AFL players is heavier now than it ever has been. Perhaps this is a sign that we're starting to see our athletes reach the upper bounds of what their bodies are capable of.

Osteitis Pubis - Wikipedia

I'm sure many have already read this, and in any case wiki is obviously not a reliable source, but still its an interesting read.

Not good news at all.

Another interesting Wikipedia reference...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwayne_Russell

:lol:

Jaded unlike the standard and proven recovery process of 12 months for an RCL there is no such process for OP. I dont think you can say Moloney was played too early as it is not always clear to determine they are fully recovered.

With all these outs, you will finally get your "kids" playing.

I guess I should have said, they pushed him too hard too soon. Playing 70% of game time is a big load for someone who spent virtually all of last year and this pre-season, nursing his groin.

Why was he brought back onto the ground in the last quarter anyway? They shouldn't have let him move from the moment he felt a bit of pain.

And you know what they say, when one door closes, another one opens... Roll on the kids!

Edit: This is taken from that Wikipedia link:

"Surgical intervention, such as wedge resection of the pubis symphysis, is sometimes attempted in severe cases, but its success rate is not high, and surgery may lead to later pelvic problems."

I guess it is up to the individual whether they are willing to take the risk that comes with surgery.

Osteitis Pubis - Wikipedia

I'm sure many have already read this, and in any case wiki is obviously not a reliable source, but still its an interesting read.

Not good news at all.

No wonder Yze has played so many games unijured.

* ps,,,QUOTE(Len 43 Gandini @ Apr 18 2007, 11:35 AM)

Does anyone remember the 70's cartoon "The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show"?

There was a character called Schleprock he was nicknamed "Bad Luck" because every time he did anything he would have the worst luck. For example if he tried to get money out of an ATM machine a noise would go moooow wooooooow and a Whammy would show up to dance and steal his cash.

Well, as has been mentioned in various topics over the past few weeks, we have our own Schleprock at Melbourne - Bohdan Babicjzuk.

At both Hawthorn and Collingwood he was faced with sides that were completely decimated by injury.

Do we believe in bad luck or is this guy doing something wrong?

Should Melbourne have hired a guy that has had such a wretched run of injuries at the clubs he has worked for?

We should be 3-0 with our list. What has happened over the past 3 weeks (and I would also include our poor pre-season form in this) in inexcusable and someone must be accountable.

I am not convinced it is the players.

I am more convinced it is the new run and carry style of play. At least if you aare going to handball all the time - do it well. Learn how to handball. Get Lou down to the club and "move the target".

Don't you know, we're in a drought. The grounds have been hard all last spring & summer & the players that have a propensity for these sorts of injuries are suffering throughout the AFL. Shinsplints & all sorts of leg & lwr/back problems.

Maybe you should investigate whether the wider grounds where players tend to use more lateral movements to avoid being caught are at all suspect.

the footy gods might be [censored] on us but perhaps it will be a blessing in disguise where we can rebuild our list and find us a new coach who will take us to a flag.

in the first 90 years of football, how many promising young stars had their careers cut down early by OP? why is this a new problem?

It used to be called groin injury....but it is the same thing.

I guess it is up to the individual whether they are willing to take the risk that comes with surgery.

While we're in the area of groin surgery and associated risk did anyone read about this poor fella.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2...le_removed.html