Injury to players that left then very good not elite

[tribey]

Am I remembering right that josh Francou came back for some good years after his injury but not up to top 5 mid in the comp like he had been.

Josh Francou's 2002:

- Brownlow Runner-Up
- All-Australian Ruck-Rover
- ABC Player of the Year
- 3AW Player of the Year Runner-Up
- Herald-Sun Player of the Year 3rd Place

Blew out his knee in R2 2003, then did it again in the 2004 preseason thus missing out on the flag and didn't play again until 2005 where he was serviceable but a shadow of what he once was. Retired at the end of that year.

Matt Primus, Shane Bond, Michael Wilson, Josh Francou, Warren Tredrea, Robbie Gray.

Seems a prerequisite at Port Adelaide to suffer horrific knee injuries either nearing or at the peak of your powers.

 

[Silvagnis]

Matthew Allan. AA ruckman and third place in the Brownlow before breaking down with foot injuries between 2001 and 2003. Only played 140 games for Carlton and 161 all up.

Ang Christou never recovered his pace and long kicking after missing close to two years due to a back injury. Was in traction and unable to walk, let alone run. Quick and hard running defender with a left foot to die for. He'd smash presses if he was playing today. Only played 151 games after battling that back injury and other injuries. 95 games short of Andy McKay who started playing at the same time.

 

[Scotland]

Not to mention Brendon Lade's two broken legs.

Lade was injured in 2000 and 2001 then went on to be All Australian in 2006 and 2007.

Not sure what you have to do to be "elite" but Lade was one of the best ruckmen in the game for an extended period well after his injuries.

 

[Schulzenfest]

True, but I was just adding to tribey's examples of Port stars who had their careers significantly affected by injury.

 

[Scotland]

Shaun Burgoyne?

Looked a million bucks a few years ago, then faded. Still a good player, but a long way off 2006/7 form now.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Royce Hart, Michael Roach and Mark Lee.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

:eek

Royce Hart, Michael Roach and Mark Lee.

Big Ron showing your age!! Very tue though.Always upsets me I only really remember the end of Royce. Roachy was my favourite but too many only remember his last 5 years as a cripple.
Tony Free was another tragedy.

 

[QS]

Sorry, but you drove that bloke into the ground with no regard for his health. Watching him hobble through the Port Adelaide final when it was obvious he was knackered was painful bordering on negligent.

From memory, it was left up to him to advise how he felt in himself. There were no caveats placed on him to play, in fact he WANTED to play. Wouldn't surprise me given the lad wanted a trade elsewhere.

Pretty sure I read that the surgeon passed comment post op that he couldnt believe the bloke was walking let alone playing with damage that had built up, but they kept wheeling him out.

Let me guess, you read this on Bay 13? Let's assume this comment exists - it's probably true, but refer to previous statement.

 

[Ron The Bear]

:eek
Big Ron showing your age!! Very tue though.Always upsets me I only really remember the end of Royce. Roachy was my favourite but too many only remember his last 5 years as a cripple.
Tony Free was another tragedy.

Haha, I'm not that old. Like you, only saw Royce at the very end.

Free was a case of a player's career being terminated by injury. The others played on for several years, but their early brilliance was curtailed.