Club Corner - June 26/ Will Thursfield interview

[one-eyed]

Paul Armstrong

* Schulz, Gas (played well) in the mix. I missed the first few minutes of the show so I presume White and Roachy would have been mentioned too. It didn't sound as Howat was mentioned in terms of coming off the rookie list.

* Had some tough days before the break (not a good week to lose). Coachig very disappointed with the Hawks game and let the player know about it. Full squad back today.

* Usually the next week after a poor loss we've been able to hit back. We'll be the underdogs obviously based on the last round's results.

* Players will be allowed to watch the World Cup. Most would have gone to bed early to get the rest they require.   

[one-eyed]

Will Thursfield

* Difficult first few weeks due to the pain but that's all gone and can see the light with his rehab. On crutches for 6-8 weeks. Becoming better now as the swelling is going down and getting in weights and swimming.

* Hopes to start running again in 2 months. Reckons he'll be right for round 1 next year. Spending his time in the coaches box learning, doing clinics and building up his upper body.

* Watches the opposition backmen to learn more about playing in defence. Will watch Clement especially this week. Helps give feedback to our backmen including the older players like Joel.

* Cogs still in a bit of pain but he's pretty tough. Cogs gave Will a hug after the Hawks game.

* tore the ACL, ripped the medial and damaged cartiledge. Not your usual knee injury. Lost 8 kgs and looked pretty sick after the injury (Darcy lost 12kgs).

* Club staff in contact daily and he has a strict program but also left to work on his own.

* Can still remember the injury occurring and seen the replays a few times. Not pretty. Knew instantly it wasn't could as he heard heaps of noises and cracks. Lenny Hayes a few days later said he even heard plenty of cracks. Ironically Hayes has done his knee also.

* Puts all the knee injuries mostly down to bad luck.

* Feels he can play at AFL level after his job on Riewoldt. Frustrating at times that he can't get out there. Reckons he can get back pretty good.

* No training before the end of the year. Will do half the sessions before Christmas. Full sessions in the new year getting ready for round one.

* About to start doing a business course with Roachy.

* Has a big scar due to nature of the injury. The surgeons needed to open the knee up down the side.

* Gas, Rodan and Duncan have been guiding him through the rehab and reassuring him that it's unlikely that he'll redo it. They felt their knee was stronger due to all the strength work needed during the rehab.

* All the young guys means we as a team and club have plenty to look forward too.

* More a stopper before the knee injury but hopes to model himself on Jimmy Clement and hopes to get more of the footy running out of the backline and rebounding.

[one-eyed]

Ryan O'Connor - Coburg GM

* Good weekend for Coburg at Box Hill. Scrappy first half but finished off strongly in the second half.

* Tigers in contection for a game for Richmond:
Schulz - a quality player who just need a bit of fitness. Good in front of goals although he could have kicked straighter (6.5), sensational mark and good tackler.
Gas - ultimate pro when he plays for Coburg. Miserly in defence as usual.
White - in sensational form again following his Frankston performace. Just his pace and use of the ball.
Humm - played very well too.
 

[mightytiges]

Will sounded in good spirits and was very positive throughout the interview. All the best to him. Hopefully the nature of injury hasn't ruined his promising footy career after just 7 games.

[WilliamPowell]

Will Thursfield
* tore the ACL, ripped the medial and damaged cartiledge. Not your usual knee injury. Lost 8 kgs and looked pretty sick after the injury (Darcy lost 12kgs).

OUCH !!!!!!!!!!