News "Feeling no pain, rejuvenated Houlihan could be a major gain for the Blues"

[OZBomb]

Feeling no pain, rejuvenated Houlihan could be a major gain for the Blues

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/houlihan-could-be-major-gain/2009/02/28/1235237992250.html

The utility is set for a big year after overcoming a long-term debilitating condition.

YOU don't know what you've got till it's gone. It's a line that usually refers to the good things in life — lost or cast carelessly aside — but that's not the case for Ryan Houlihan. He has lived the cliche in reverse.

The Carlton player is not exactly sure when he became stricken with osteitis pubis (OP), but he can't remember not feeling pain as he crawled out of bed each morning after a match, and he can't recall not taking twice as long as everyone else to get himself ready to train.

"When I look back now, I probably had it from when I was 18," the 27-year-old said this week. "It just wasn't all that noticeable back then, but it got worse when I was 19 and by the time I was 20 or 21, it had started to get really bad.

"After that, I think I just got used to it — to playing with it and living with it, really. It never got to a point where I

missed games with it, but I was sore all the time and the worse it got, the more used to it I got. I'd never really known anything different."

That's all changed. It was about this time last year that Houlihan knew something had to give — that he was sick of feeling sore, that the coaches would soon give up on this player who couldn't run, twist and kick like he should.

He was tired of waking up to instant pain, and frustrated that he had done all he could, that this was how he was going to feel for the rest of his career. More than anything, he hated not playing as well as he knew he could. He was unsure how long his career would last.

So, he went to see the club doctor, and then headed off to a hip specialist. To help his OP, Houlihan had grown used to having cortisone injected into both hips, then going back a month later for more. But the specialist found two bony bumps on his hip joints — a condition known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — and suggested carving them off.

Houlihan had to think about it: he had never missed a few weeks before, let alone almost a year. But he had his left hip done, and then the right one eight days later. He had to spend two weeks in bed, watching DVDs, but never felt as frustrated as he feared he would; instead, he felt optimistic for the first time in a while, like he had done something that would make him better.

Now, he can run freely and move with more agility than he ever has as a Carlton player. He can kick without pain, and after the Blues beat North Melbourne last week, he woke up the next morning feeling he could play another match for the first time in his memory.

The rest of the article is at http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/houlihan-could-be-major-gain/2009/02/28/1235237992250.html

 

[40yearBLUE]

Who knew? This article ought to make some people think before they post something about a particular player. We have all know for years (well some of us have anyway) Hoops has extraordinary skill, when asked pre game last week who he would like delivering to him in the forward line, Murph, Gibbs, Judd? Fev said Hoops and sure enough about 15 minutes later Fev led into a 40 meter pass in space that Hoops must have kicked before Fev even started his lead. It was of course lace out.

The player has skills the coaching staff and recruiters (and obviously the players) ALL know about, and can now deliver on them. Goal!

But who knew he was carrying injury for so long? And if Hoops was carry some kind of injury, what other maligned players on our list, players that to some ought not be on the list, but to those that are paid to know are gifted, skilled athletes, which other players are carrying injuries we dont know about.

Perhaps some of us ought to consider that before posting some of the comments about some of the players. I am not saying the players I am thinking of are carrying injury or even that their performances are below par, just that there is more to things than any of us mere mortals know about, and perhaps a little faith in those that do know would be better.

And if what I have seen over the years was an injury restricted Hoops then look out!

 

[blues4flag]

Am eagerly anticipating what Houlihan can do this season fully fit. Here's hoping we see a noticeable improvement over previous seasons. Could mean that he gets more of a run through the middle of the ground than he has in previous seasons.

 

[Alpha1]

Houla is ideal for us rotating through the forward line. We all know he is a outside player and when he plays in the backline he gets exposed a lot because of that. But put him up forward and his sublime foot skills are very potent, delivering into the forward line and getting those shots on goal. I think he is going to be a handy recruit for us this season. Especially if he can come off the bench and use his creativity for us.

 

[Juddys_navy_blues]

Will be great to see Houlihan in full flight and fit, seems to always be travelling at half pace and never gets caught, Reminds me alot of David Rhys Jones. Without rhys tribunal record.

 

[WeAreHatedAgain]

note to Jordan Russell

please come out and admit to a long term injury you are suffering

PLEASE

 

[lily of laguna]

note to Jordan Russell

please come out and admit to a long term injury you are suffering

PLEASE

You obviously missed the point 30YB was making.....

Lets turn any positve thread concern the blues into a "taking a dump on JR"...way to go big man.

It's comments like these that leave egg on the face.

 

[WeAreHatedAgain]

You obviously missed the point 30YB was making.....

Lets turn any positve thread concern the blues into a "taking a dump on JR"...way to go big man.

It's comments like these that leave egg on the face.

Egg on the face?

Please

accept that he's no good and won't get a game this year

 

[lily of laguna]

Egg on the face?

Please

accept that he's no good and won't get a game this year[/quo

Oh dear.............He will get game time this year and more than likely play every game barring injury!!

You are just confirming how little you know about what Ratts and co. are seeking from the team.

I think 30YB makes a valid point here, lets support the team that is picked by those who are in a much better position to make these calls.

Its churlish to do otherwise, we dont need scapegoats at the blues, leave that to the likes of the Tiggies and Colliwobbles

 

[blue gunslinger]

Happy to admit I was wrong about Hoops if he can put in a good season. Has always had the skill, and perhaps it was the OP that hampered him. Lets see if he can maintain his mental and physical strength for the entire season. May certainly be an important player if he can do this. I still have my doubts. Prove me wrong with interest!

 

[Domenic Fotia]

terrible player... when we really needed him over the past 5 years or so he gave nothing !!

useful Bullants player at best

 

[gandaal]

Wonderful article, one of the best footy articles I've read in a long time.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Hoops to really hurt teams in 09. Underrated, massively by opposition and club supporters alike.

 

[OZBomb]

note to Jordan Russell

please come out and admit to a long term injury you are suffering

PLEASE

Jordan Russell, Professional Footballer.

WeAreHatedAgain, Comedian.

I know which one is better at their job.

 

[Warsaw]

terrible player... when we really needed him over the past 5 years or so he gave nothing !!

useful Bullants player at best

Sarcastic I presume?

 

[blue gunslinger]

terrible player... when we really needed him over the past 5 years or so he gave nothing !!

useful Bullants player at best

isn't that the whole point of the article

 

[Dramoth]

Sarcastic I presume?

I would say troll...

 

[thylacine60]

Hoops was in amongst it tonight. Great to have his composure back up forward where it belongs.

 

[Rambo Stallone]

terrible player... when we really needed him over the past 5 years or so he gave nothing !!

useful Bullants player at best

gee what you think of Dominic Fotia if you think Houilhan was bad.

 

[DIG]

Hoops was always a beautiful kick, will be important to us if he can stay fully fit now. How's Fevola's comments:

"One in particular was just as pleased to get him back. Fevola was interviewed on the ground before the Blues beat North last week, as the team warmed up behind him. Asked who he preferred to see kicking the ball to him — Chris Judd, Bryce Gibbs or Marc Murphy — Fevola smiled and shook his head. "Nah mate," he replied as he jogged back to the group. "Ryan Houlihan!""

note to Jordan Russell

please come out and admit to a long term injury you are suffering

PLEASE

hehe I'm not anti-Russell but this still gave me a chuckle

 

[barnesy_78]

terrible player... when we really needed him over the past 5 years or so he gave nothing !!

useful Bullants player at best

Houlihan - one word comes to mind - SKIRT

 

[The_Groscz]

What did the Houla dancer do yesterday?

Look as much as we're winning pre-season games our attack is still 90% dependent on Fev. If Houla is such a gun he should be bagging 2-3 goals per game, even in pre-season.

Really our focus should be on easing the load on Fev and topping up our forward line, and Houla doesn't seem to be that much more impactful now he's 100% fit and 'firing'

 

[SurreyBlue]

Can't believe his been plagued with groin problems for his entire career.
Really looking forward to seeing hoops in 09 now.

 

[Faz 2000]

I hope Hoops' obvious flaws don't prevent him showcasing his obvious talents this season. Clean skills, run and the ability to slot goals is just what we need in the forward half of the ground.

 

[HBF]

Pretty amazing that he feels like he has had this condition since he was 18 or 19, and just got used to playing with it. Great effort for him to do this, no matter what we all think of his as a player.