Richmond big men carry light load
26 April 2006
Herald Sun
Rebecca Williams
RICHMOND ruck pair Troy Simmonds and Greg Stafford were put on light duties at training yesterday in a bid to keep them fresh for Friday night's clash against Carlton at the MCG.
Simmonds and Stafford barely worked up a sweat at yesterday's session at Punt Rd, but Tigers football manager Paul Armstrong said the duo's light load was about management rather than any fitness concerns.
After two interstate games, and a breakthrough win against Brisbane on Saturday, the Tigers have a six-day turn-around for Friday night's match.
"They're all right. It's a short week, given one day less after two interstate trips," Armstrong said.
"Simmo has been carrying a fair amount of work in the ruck, so we rested him today.
"Stafford's first game back he worked pretty hard, we just want to make sure they're right for Friday night so they'll both play."
As expected, forward Nathan Brown did not join his teammates for training, instead opting for some low-impact pool work.
The Tigers decided at a meeting on Monday that Brown would be rested until the pain in his right leg, which he broke last May, became more manageable.
"It's a matter of seeing how Nathan recovers for when he steps up to training," Armstrong said.
"He'll know when the pain gets to a manageable level.
"I would think Thursday he may well do some work out on the track again. But we'll be guided by what he says."
Armstrong said it was possible big man Trent Knobel would return from a leg injury on Friday night.
"Trent's a chance, he trained well today and played for Coburg reserves on Sunday in an effort to put his hand up," Armstrong said.
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