timthefish
15th May 2004, 11:00 AM
http://realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/05/14/1084289883823.html
Lions tip Carlton surprise ruckman
By Peter Blucher
Brisbane
May 15, 2004
The Brisbane Lions are anticipating the late inclusion of former Sydney ruckman Ricky Mott in the Carlton side for tonight's clash at the Gabba after captain Anthony Koutoufides failed a fitness test at Optus Oval yesterday.
Koutoufides, described by Lions coach Leigh Matthews as "the most destructive player" he had seen when at his best, ran several laps watched by coach Denis Pagan before saying he still felt tight in his lower back and hamstring.
The medical staff and Koutoufides decided on a safety-first approach. "This is a medical decision and it is certainly not worth the risk," Pagan said.
The club last night stressed that the injury was not the same as the one that kept Koutoufides out of the first six matches of the season and that the back-related problem was nothing to do with the scar-tissue tear he had overcome to play last weekend.
With "smalls" David Clarke, Daniel Harford and Steve Kenna among the Carlton emergencies for the trip to Brisbane, Koutoufides' withdrawal offers Pagan the opportunity to bolster a makeshift ruck division.
The Blues, without No.1 follower Barnaby French due to a hip problem, selected what Matthews described as "key position ruckmen" in Ian Prendergast and Adrian Deluca to take on a Brisbane combination of Jamie Charman and Clark Keating, who will resume after a five-week lay-off with shoulder problems.
Publicly, the Lions were saying nothing last night, but privately there is a suspicion that the 200 centimetre Mott could become the 13th Carlton newcomer to debut with the club this year after two comeback games in the VFL following a foot injury.
The 23-year-old played 17 games with the Swans in 2002 before being delisted. He spent 2003 as a Fremantle rookie.
Late yesterday Carlton had not notified the AFL of a replacement for Koutoufides. If they wish to bring in Mott from outside the original 25-man squad, the Blues have until prior to the match to notify the AFL, the Lions and the media and avoid a $3000 fine.
Lions midfielder Nigel Lappin had his thigh strapped and was a little proppy during final training last night, but is expected to play. So is utility Ashley McGrath, who will resume ahead of schedule following a broken thumb.
Matthews has warned his players against complacency. "The fact is they've put together enough good form to win three of their seven games. We've only won five," he said, adding a special warning not to underestimate out-of-form Blues vice-captain Lance Whitnall. "We all remember here three years ago when he kicked eight goals and destroyed us," he said.
Lions tip Carlton surprise ruckman
By Peter Blucher
Brisbane
May 15, 2004
The Brisbane Lions are anticipating the late inclusion of former Sydney ruckman Ricky Mott in the Carlton side for tonight's clash at the Gabba after captain Anthony Koutoufides failed a fitness test at Optus Oval yesterday.
Koutoufides, described by Lions coach Leigh Matthews as "the most destructive player" he had seen when at his best, ran several laps watched by coach Denis Pagan before saying he still felt tight in his lower back and hamstring.
The medical staff and Koutoufides decided on a safety-first approach. "This is a medical decision and it is certainly not worth the risk," Pagan said.
The club last night stressed that the injury was not the same as the one that kept Koutoufides out of the first six matches of the season and that the back-related problem was nothing to do with the scar-tissue tear he had overcome to play last weekend.
With "smalls" David Clarke, Daniel Harford and Steve Kenna among the Carlton emergencies for the trip to Brisbane, Koutoufides' withdrawal offers Pagan the opportunity to bolster a makeshift ruck division.
The Blues, without No.1 follower Barnaby French due to a hip problem, selected what Matthews described as "key position ruckmen" in Ian Prendergast and Adrian Deluca to take on a Brisbane combination of Jamie Charman and Clark Keating, who will resume after a five-week lay-off with shoulder problems.
Publicly, the Lions were saying nothing last night, but privately there is a suspicion that the 200 centimetre Mott could become the 13th Carlton newcomer to debut with the club this year after two comeback games in the VFL following a foot injury.
The 23-year-old played 17 games with the Swans in 2002 before being delisted. He spent 2003 as a Fremantle rookie.
Late yesterday Carlton had not notified the AFL of a replacement for Koutoufides. If they wish to bring in Mott from outside the original 25-man squad, the Blues have until prior to the match to notify the AFL, the Lions and the media and avoid a $3000 fine.
Lions midfielder Nigel Lappin had his thigh strapped and was a little proppy during final training last night, but is expected to play. So is utility Ashley McGrath, who will resume ahead of schedule following a broken thumb.
Matthews has warned his players against complacency. "The fact is they've put together enough good form to win three of their seven games. We've only won five," he said, adding a special warning not to underestimate out-of-form Blues vice-captain Lance Whitnall. "We all remember here three years ago when he kicked eight goals and destroyed us," he said.