THE GARY ABLETT DISCUSSION THREAD: Back out.....

[Ricochet]

Some both concerning and positive things in here...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/gary-ablett-set-to-play-a-half-in-gold-coasts-nab-challenge-derby-against-brisbane/story-e6frf3e3-1227263707287

GOLD Coast expects Friday’s clash with Brisbane to be a major step-up from a standard NAB Challenge match and will be played at premiership intensity.

Brisbane will pick the best available side and will no doubt take every opportunity to turn the derby into a Q-Bash by testing out Suns skipper Gary Ablett’s rebuilt shoulder.

Suns coach Rodney Eade has already declared that he wants his Round 1 side on the park against the Lions.

Ablett will be asked to play at least a half in his first competitive hit out since having a major shoulder reconstruction after Round 16 last year.

He has been in full training since the club returned from Christmas break but continues to wear the orange hat which specifies no contact in the match drills.

Ablett refuses to take painkillers and is attempting to give the rebuilt joint maximum recovery time before he puts it under major duress.

The rumour going around footy circles is that he cannot raise his arm above shoulder height.

But he has never had a major injury in his career and it seems the restricted movement is because he does not yet have full confidence in the joint.

You can see at training he favours the injury â€" he is taking marks on his chest and occasionally reaching for balls one handed.

But in the heat of training he looks fine. He has taken marks out in front of his face on the lead and he unknowingly put a smile on the faces of the coaching staff at training last week when instincts kicked in and he raised his arm to deliver a solid “don’t argue” fend-off to a team mate.

And the Suns say he has been doing one-on-one contact drills with fitness coach Matthew Kennedy, away from the public training sessions, for several weeks.

The return of Dion Prestia and Steven May in an NEAFL match against Southport on Saturday means Ablett, Rory Thompson and Sam Day are the only players from the intended round one side who have yet to play a game.

Prestia was thrilled to get a game under his belt and says he expects both sides will be desperate to win on Friday.

“I got through the game really well, my body feels fine and it looks like we will have our strongest team yet on Friday for our game against the Lions,’’ he said.

“Even though round one is a few weeks away this is as close as you can get to the real thing.

“The Lions have been impressive so far and like us have added a couple of handy recruits over the off-season.

“Both teams have a lot to look forward this season, for the first time both teams have a lot to be excited about and that’s great for AFL in Queensland.’’

[RaisyDaisy]

Sounds like he is just being cautious in situations where he doesn't actually need to make contact or use it

As long as he is training freely, which is what I am lead to believe, then all good in my books :)

[SydneyRox]

I am almost ready to get on the wagon, would like to see him run a good half or more of footy out before I select him.

[Nige]

In the completely hypothetical that our SC lord Gajesus doesn't get up, where do we turn?

[The_Captain]

In the completely hypothetical that our SC lord Gajesus doesn't get up, where do we turn?

Pendlebury, Rockliff, Selwood, Fyfe, JPK, Beams, Parker. Sidebottom, Griffen, Ward. Start somewhere around there Nigey!

[Slashers]

Holy Moly! I didn't realise it was that bad. :o

Why is he such a lock to maintain/improve on last year?!?

[Sabretooth Tigers]

 :)
Think this may present a little bit of a conundrum.  My thoughts are that if we leave the little champ out then we most almost certainly have to keep the price difference between him and his replacement. This of course is so we can bring him in immediately that we see him fire up, which of course he will. And because of his brilliance it would be sooner than later. This is also one of those situations where you must ask yourself " how much is a trade worth. " Personally he's in my team automatically with no conditions whatsoever. That is how good I think he is. Get up little champ and kill them !!                    ;)

[Speculator]

I would have liked him to be marking above his head and tackling with freedom by now. Makes the selection interesting with just a hint of doubt.

[Slashers]

I would have liked him to be marking above his head and tackling with freedom by now. Makes the selection interesting with just a hint of doubt.

Yea, I know!
Jeez, its only weeks until the start of the season and this is how he's training?
As good as he is, he can't play one armed all the time. If GAJ is to be GAJ, he can't be compromising or changing his game style.

[DoctorRush]

:)
Think this may present a little bit of a conundrum.  My thoughts are that if we leave the little champ out then we most almost certainly have to keep the price difference between him and his replacement. This of course is so we can bring him in immediately that we see him fire up, which of course he will. And because of his brilliance it would be sooner than later. This is also one of those situations where you must ask yourself " how much is a trade worth. " Personally he's in my team automatically with no conditions whatsoever. That is how good I think he is. Get up little champ and kill them !!                    ;)

I think you've said it perfectly Sabre !!
e.g. So you start Selwood instead of GAJ and keep the 85k in the bank in case that goes pear shaped. Then swap them back, or pick one of your other mids to swap if they're going worse, e.g. Pendles / Beams.
It's not much worse making that Corrective trade than it is swapping a selected rookie to a rookie we all missed out on.

[shaker]

Or you just pick and if he turns into a spud or his shoulder plays up you can get rid of him before he drops in price but if he plays like he always does and scores big scores you don't miss out

[The_Captain]

:)
Think this may present a little bit of a conundrum.  My thoughts are that if we leave the little champ out then we most almost certainly have to keep the price difference between him and his replacement. This of course is so we can bring him in immediately that we see him fire up, which of course he will. And because of his brilliance it would be sooner than later. This is also one of those situations where you must ask yourself " how much is a trade worth. " Personally he's in my team automatically with no conditions whatsoever. That is how good I think he is. Get up little champ and kill them !!                    ;)

I think you've said it perfectly Sabre !!
e.g. So you start Selwood instead of GAJ and keep the 85k in the bank in case that goes pear shaped. Then swap them back, or pick one of your other mids to swap if they're going worse, e.g. Pendles / Beams.
It's not much worse making that Corrective trade than it is swapping a selected rookie to a rookie we all missed out on.

yeah, but what if you do need to make that corrective trade to a rookie as well. You are down a trade later on and that could cost you making another downgrade and netting 200k which really could give you the money to get that ultra performing premo mid later on as an upgrade, rather that someone just averaging say 110.

I dont think you can afford to play around with premos.... You are either confident he is 100% and his injury wont limit him, or your not and you stay away completely, and upgrade to him later on in the season, if he is fine and scoring well.

[Pkbaldy]

In the completely hypothetical that our SC lord Gajesus doesn't get up, where do we turn?

Cotchin

[RaisyDaisy]

Watch Gaz come out this weekend and score 80+ in the first half, then get subbed off and everyone will stop worrying  ;)

[Mat0369]

This is my original plan with Gaz, Gold Coast play the 2nd game of the round (1st game on Sat), if Gaz is no good out he goes and becomes Rocky (now contemplating Selwood instead), problem sorted