Rivers to go with the flow at Scorpions

Jared Rivers "won't be alone in his first game back from a lengthy lay-off. Clint Bartram, Matthew Whelan and Paul Wheatley will also return, after battling knee, hamstring, foot, calf and shoulder problems between them in season 2007."

Awesome news...best news we've had in ages.

Brilliant news. Touch wood it all goes well for each of these really important players. There's no doubt we'll be a MUCH better team with them in the side - especially whhels and Rivers, who would improve our backline by 110%.

best news Ive heard for a while Caution needed...slow and steady wins the race etc. Can imagine it would give a bit of a buzz around the rooms !!

A fit Bartram will be a huge bonus to us

I'd be extremely surprised if Rivers, Whelan or Bartram play for us in round 1. They've each missed close to 12 months of football. They'd require 3-4 serious hit-outs before playing senior football.

I don't want to get too excited for fear of horrible disappointment when they don't play, or worse, re-injure themselves, but hooray!

Rivers is our most important defender, and the way our backline crapped itself without him last year, he could almost be our most important player.

And for all the doom and gloom of Bartram's condition, any game time we can get into him this early is an absolute bonus.

All the players taking the field for Sandy this week have had horrible runs with injury, and all of them deserve a change of luck, so fingers and toes crossed... and keep em crossed!

I'd be extremely surprised if Rivers, Whelan or Bartram play for us in round 1. They've each missed close to 12 months of football. They'd require 3-4 serious hit-outs before playing senior football.

Agreed that they will all take time and can't be relied upon to stand up at AFL level after such a long time out. The game is much different today than it was 10 or 20 years ago and you need to be superfit to play these days. Still, it's a revelation that guys like Barts, Wheels and Wheats are going to be back on the field as early as Saturday evening.

awesome news, hope all get through unscathed.

touch wood touch wood touch wood touch wood touch wood

Massive bonus if Rivers was available come round 1 but for the time being very happy for him to run around with Sandy!

Seems our medical and coaching staff may be on the same page for a change.

Our injury management over the past few years has been nothing short of a joke. Sick of seeing guys coming into games under clouds only to break down early leaving us with limited interchange or hobbling around the field as a defensive liability.

The fact we seem to have a plan for managing injuries and getting guys ready for round 1 is a step in the right direction IMHO. Let's hope it pays off bigtime!

I wet my self...

_http://www.melbournefc.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=7415&newsId=55932

I think this is the best news all preseason!

I agree with all that is being said here. The backline has the potential to be our genuine weakness this year. These three will make the difference, as previously stated; best news all pre-season (along with Jones boys re-signing.

C'mon Dees. This is something to get excited over!