Dogs' long-term view
From Sportal
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has revealed Chris Grant could have played on with a bone spur in his groin, but the decision to opt for surgery was made with a view to having the veteran utility fit and available for the finals.
Grant underwent surgery on Monday night to remove a spur from his pubic bone which was discovered last week and which will keep the 34-year-old out of action for at least two months.
The condition is believed to be a by-product of a nasty case of osteitis pubis several years ago.
Speaking at Whitten Oval on Tuesday, Eade said that Grant could have kept playing with painkillers.
"He didn't have to have (surgery), but we felt it would be better for his chances … when it gets to September if we're part of that action, that it will give him the best chance to be fully fit," Eade said.
"The other option of playing under some painkillers and hoping that it will rectify itself will then impact on his footy fitness."
"We've seen that in the past with players that they actually go downhill and the fact that he hasn't had an enormous pre-season … we think it's the best chance to have eight or 10 weeks off, have the operation and he can play the last half of the season."
Eade said the Bulldogs had budgeted to have Grant available for 15 or 16 games in 2007, but that this had now come down to 10-12 plus finals.
He said the club was unlikely to promote one of its four rookies - Michael West, Marty Pask, Jarrod Harbrow or Gavin Hughes - to fill Grant's role, and that any promotions would be on a needs basis.
The Bulldogs, Eade said, had plenty of cover for Grant already available on the senior list.
"Next week we get Brian Harris back (from suspension), Tom Williams has played a couple of games at Werribee. We've got high expectations of Tom, we really rate him highly," he said.
"So I think there's enough height there and (Andrew) McDougall can play down there so I don't think that's an issue."
"It's is best for Chris, certainly for his body, and I think as a by-product it's best for the team that he has the operation."
From Sportal
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has revealed Chris Grant could have played on with a bone spur in his groin, but the decision to opt for surgery was made with a view to having the veteran utility fit and available for the finals.
Grant underwent surgery on Monday night to remove a spur from his pubic bone which was discovered last week and which will keep the 34-year-old out of action for at least two months.
The condition is believed to be a by-product of a nasty case of osteitis pubis several years ago.
Speaking at Whitten Oval on Tuesday, Eade said that Grant could have kept playing with painkillers.
"He didn't have to have (surgery), but we felt it would be better for his chances … when it gets to September if we're part of that action, that it will give him the best chance to be fully fit," Eade said.
"The other option of playing under some painkillers and hoping that it will rectify itself will then impact on his footy fitness."
"We've seen that in the past with players that they actually go downhill and the fact that he hasn't had an enormous pre-season … we think it's the best chance to have eight or 10 weeks off, have the operation and he can play the last half of the season."
Eade said the Bulldogs had budgeted to have Grant available for 15 or 16 games in 2007, but that this had now come down to 10-12 plus finals.
He said the club was unlikely to promote one of its four rookies - Michael West, Marty Pask, Jarrod Harbrow or Gavin Hughes - to fill Grant's role, and that any promotions would be on a needs basis.
The Bulldogs, Eade said, had plenty of cover for Grant already available on the senior list.
"Next week we get Brian Harris back (from suspension), Tom Williams has played a couple of games at Werribee. We've got high expectations of Tom, we really rate him highly," he said.
"So I think there's enough height there and (Andrew) McDougall can play down there so I don't think that's an issue."
"It's is best for Chris, certainly for his body, and I think as a by-product it's best for the team that he has the operation."
