Ball out for season

[Rod_]

bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger

X 10

[snaws]

We could ask big Ricky Mott to come back
lol

[Jimmy C]

Fairly rotten news. Oh well. It might be the end of JB's season, but its not the end for the Swans. Could we see Doyle being rushed back in? Will LRT discover his match-winning ability in the ruck contests? How about Meiklejohn?

Cheer up.

[liz]

Now that the news has had a little time to sink in, maybe it doesn't completely spell doom and gloom.

We are definitely a better team with Ball in - there's no doubt about that. But remember that we did manage to play some great footy under Roos in the second half of last season with essentially just Goodes in the ruck. Mott didn't play for many of those games and clearly wasn't a part of Roos' plans. We didn't have Doyle (also injured) for any of those games either, while LRT was still not ready.

If any of Doyle, Meiklejohn or LRT can provide some support to Goodes later this season we'll be no worse off - and probably better - than last season.

I'm not suggesting it won't have an impact. But maybe they can work around it.

I suggest that Goodes needs to be wrapped in cotton wool for all remaining training sessions. He can't be protected during games but it would be disastrous for him to now "do a Whitnall".

[Jon]

well this is where that "character" thing comes into the equation. I believe the boys can do it....we have character to spare, and pretty soon the whole footy world will know it too!

Carn you Swannies!

[SXP]

I just wonder if he's going to be specially targeted by oposition, now that they know we're vulnerable. We saw that before when they tried to take out our best player at our most critical time. Hence the association between no depth and the Swans in the previous years. Just remember how we folded in the semi against the Crows in 98 when they took a couple of our best players out of action.

[Dave]

Originally posted by Jimmy C
Fairly rotten news. Oh well. It might be the end of JB's season, but its not the end for the Swans. Cheer up.

Exactly.

Although Ball's importance to this team cannot be underestimated it is just another problem we will have to work around.

We all thought (well some maybe) that it was the end once Dunks went but you would have to say our backline holds up pretty well considering.

At the end of the day we just have to first to the ball when it hits the deck.

The show must go on!

[Dpw]

Dam, dam, dam only hope now for Stevens and Doyle to live fairytales and become fully fledged AFL players lets hope it can be and we can all talk about the time Ball got injured.........

[chammond]

I think everyone was aware that there is a huge gap between Jason Ball and the other ruckmen in the squad (Goodes aside), and there was a certain inevitability about the timing of his injury.

Although this is a severe setback for the Swans, it also represents a big opportunity for someone to step into the breech.

Let's not forget that Adam Goodes (nor Rodney Eade) had never considered a ruck role until he grabbed the initiative one day when all the alternatives went down with injuries.

And it was only when Simon Feast dislocated his shoulder in the first quarter (sound familiar?) against Melbourne that Eade in desperation threw Ball into the ruck for the first time for the Swans.

Maybe these things come in threes??

[Charlie]

Well, having thought about it, I think we can still carry on.

I believed we could pinch this week's game against Adelaide earlier today, when I was expecting that Ball would be out for a week or two... so there's no rational reason to change that assessment. I don't expect to win it, but I believe it's possible. Big question in this one is whether Carey will come up. If he doesn't, it's game on as far as I'm concerned.

As for the rest of the year... well, Everitt isn't expected back for our game I don't think, and neither is Holland. That leaves Nathan Thompson and Robert Campbell to carry Hawthorn's ruck in round 19. With Goodes and hopefully one of LRT (if fit) or Doyle (if fit and LRT isn't fit), we can break even there.

Brisbane's in a similar boat. Both Leppitsch and McDonald are expected to miss our game with injuries. That leaves them with Charman and Keating... good... but not devastatingly so.

Collingwood's been relying on Josh Fraser all year, with Steven McKee completely sidelined by that new ruck rule. If Collingwood can survive with one mobile ruckman, then we can win this game with only one ourselves, and I'd be very surprised if our younger guys aren't back by this one.

Melbourne's ruck unit is Jeff White and Darren Jolly. White has been in terrible form, and Jolly is ok as a backup, but he isn't a number 1 ruckman. We'll be ok in this one as well.

So, at least until the finals I don't think that this is a disaster. Once September rolls around, we'll know more about the full severity of this setback. But I believe we'll survive until then. We're certainly not going to dominate any team, but if we can at least break even, I think we're a shot in any game.

[Nico]

We have risen to every challenge this year, and surely LRT is not out for the season.

Most thought that next week's game we were going to drop anyway, so if he is back fit the next round then he just has to be thrown into the ruck.

Stevens, I like many had written him off, amazingly gets his chance at the big time.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Maybe Scotty boy is the silver lining.

"Bring back Jamesey" I say, and swing Schaubs into the ruck.

What about that for lateral thinking.

[NMWBloods]

I think ruck work is overrated. What we do need is someone tall to mark around the ground and provide a contest in packs and at centre bounces. It's really up to our midfielders IMV. Essendon, Collingwood and the Kangaroos have done well without their ruckmen doing much.

[Angelic Upstart]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think ruck work is overrated. What we do need is someone tall to mark around the ground and provide a contest in packs and at centre bounces. It's really up to our midfielders IMV. Essendon, Collingwood and the Kangaroos have done well without their ruckmen doing much.

Agree completely. This could even be a blessing in disguise - the midfielders now know it's up to them to get to the ball first at the hitouts if we want to keep winning. Expect even more committed performances from the midfield - and it's the style of play that has worked well for C'wood.

[robbieando]

When Doyle comes back he take over Ball's role in the side. He can ruck and can also pop up and kick a few goals, ie the game against Richmond last year and don't forget he kicked a few goals in his only match this season before going off.

Losing Ball is a big blow, but we can and will overcome it. If we fail in September it can't be put down to losing Ball - that would be a cop out. You play the cards you are delt

[Arks]

AAAArrrrrrrrrrggghh, I was so worried I would hear this news and now its here, the nightmare has become reality.

Where does this leave Ball now hes 30, has he signed up after this year?