Coughlan to be back in two
By Mark Fuller
realfooty.theage.com.au
May 14, 2004
Richmond midfielder Mark Coughlan has won his battle with a nagging groin injury and coach Danny Frawley expects him to be out of football for only another two weeks.
The Tigers' 2003 best-and-fairest winner has not played since round five after the instability in his pubic joint, which greatly curtailed his effectiveness since it flared in the pre-season, forcing him to seek rest and rehabilitation.
Although Frawley would not commit a specific match for Coughlan's return, it is expected he will play against West Coast at Subiaco Oval in round 10.
Frawley said the groin injury was no longer troubling his gun midfielder. "He's training really well; he's got no soreness over the last two weeks, so that's been really positive," he said.
"He's over it now. When the doctors say he's ready to go, we'll play him. Whether that's in the VFL or not, we'll have a look, but he's getting a hell of a lot of work under his belt at the minute, which is good."
Coughlan's return would add further impetus to a Richmond side that Frawley believes was lifted "a hell of a lot" by the reappearance last weekend of key talls Matthew Richardson and Greg Stafford. "You've got two guys over six-foot-six coming back into your team; it's a sure way to play a lot straighter and a lot quicker," he said.
Frawley said the Tigers' 13-point upset of Sydney last Sunday, the club's first win from its past 13 interstate appearances, had his players walking a little taller again after their breakthrough win over Hawthorn a week earlier.
"They've gained a little bit of respect back, but in saying that, if you're not going to listen to the criticism, why listen to the praise," he said. "You've just got to keep your head down and just keep working."
http://realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/05/13/1084289817231.html
