by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
SYDNEY
Swan midfielder Nic Fosdike has been forced to retire due to ongoing knee problems which restricted him in 2008. Both Senior Coach Paul Roos and assistant coach John Longmire had nothing bur praise for the 10-year veteran, saying he gave 100% and always put the team first. Longmire, always impressed by his work ethic and ability to run out games, also said Fosdike always tried to get the best out of himself. Roos said Fosdike's placing as one of the top 4-5 players in the 2005 premiership win would surely be a highlight of his career. Fosdike himself said the premiership and his life membership with Sydney were things he could be proud of.
Fosdike was drafted in 1998, debuted in 1999, played 164 games and kicked 66 goals.
Source: foxsports.com.au
CARLTON
Robert Warnock will miss the start of the preseason and part of the regular season with a stress fracture in his foot. He will be sidelined for up to 2 months. Warnock, a developing ruckman, joined the Blues during the recent trade period after playing 21 games with Fremantle. Warnock missed the end of the 2008 season due to shoulder surgery.
Also in recovery mode are Heath Scotland (foot), Brad Fisher (elbow), Adam Bentick (hip) and Adam Hartlett (knee).
Source: Melbourne Age
HAWTHORN
Star forward Lance Franklin is recovering from post-season shoulder and thumb surgery and on a modified training program which could see him miss the preseason. Franklin himself said he wants to focus on being ready for Round One.
Source:Melbourne Age
GEELONG
Matthew Egan, sidelined with a serious foot injury since late in the 2007 season, is getting great support from the club. He had yet another surgery on the navicular bone in his foot in December and will spend three months in a cast and another three months in a special brace. While the club hopes he can make a playing comeback, they are giving him an off-field role and education in coaching. Should his latest comeback bid fail, he will be well-placed to enter the coaching ranks with the assignments the club has in store for him in 2009.
Egan, who has played 59 games and is contracted through 2010, will work with the coaching staff. Assistant coach Brendan McCartney, who said Egan had a good football brain and the characteristics to make a fine coach, said Egan would be given an opportunity to "...develop his...knowledge of the game'. Egan, according to McCartney, will help the coaching staff research the opposition teams and players and will learn to watch for trends in the game and learn what to look for. Egan will also be exposed to a variety of roles in the football department. McCartney was quoted, "It's just part of preparing him for life around football and life after football."
Source: Herald Sun
WEST COAST
The Eagles' highly prized draftee, ruckman Nick Naitanui, will miss the preseason competiton due to knee problems. Naitanui requires arthroscopic surgery on his knee after experiencing some soreness during recent training. It is believed the increasing training load led to the breakdown. While the injury is relatively minor, the club decided to have Naitanui undergo the procedure now so as not to risk further damage which could have impacted long-term. The club expects Naitanui to debut sometime during the 2009 season..
Source: Melbourne Age
Article last changed on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 12:42 PM EST
