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Ball deflated as injury ends his season
By Jessica Halloran
July 30 2003
Sydney ruckman Jason Ball is a shattered man after being ruled out for the season by a shoulder injury and missing the chance to be part of the finals series.
"I'm bitterly disappointed more than anything," Ball said yesterday. "We are four to five weeks off playing in the finals, and maybe a home final in front of a Sydney crowd - that would have been amazing."
It's not his first serious injury - in the 2002 pre-season he ripped a groin muscle from his pelvis and missed the season. Ball said his mind was already focused on recovery and being fit to hit the training track in November. He said he might have an off-field role with the team but would discuss that possibility with coach Paul Roos in the coming weeks.
With Ball out the Swans ruck, stocks are considerably weaker. Adam Goodes will take up most of the slack.
"Goodes has got a lot to do," Ball said. "He was good against Fremantle [on Sunday]. And there's opportunities for other younger guys . . . opportunities to play in a finals game."
James Meiklejohn and Lewis Roberts-Thomson will have that opportunity. Stephen Doyle, who is recovering from a knee injury, is also expected back in the side in three weeks, which will boost the Swans' ruck division. But Goodes said the absence of Ball was a "massive problem".
"A big man is priceless in the ruck," Goodes said. "I don't think my game will change much, just the workload will be a little bit bigger, which is fine by me. I have no problem with that.
"LRT [Roberts-Thomson] has the opportunity to get more time on the ball, but with Jason out it's a great loss to the club."
The Swans have not had a ruck coach all year, and the possible addition of Ball in a coaching role could be a bonus.
"Bally's got great ideas, as demonstrated from working with him over the last 17 weeks," Goodes said.
Ball ruptured his rotator cuff and suffered tendon damage in the game against Fremantle. He had an operation on his left shoulder last night. But the ruckman did not initially realise the severity of his injury.
"I sort of thought it might have just been a pinched nerve, but after 10 minutes the doctor said, 'I don't think it's a nerve'," Ball said.
"I went and had an X-ray, and I've ripped the shoulder muscle off the bone. I can't lift my arm at all, I can't lift it past 20 degrees. There's nothing I can do about it.
"I saw the doctor yesterday. I'm out for three months. I'll have my arm in a sling for six weeks."
Ball said he was superstitious, and even though he had been due to play his 150th game against Adelaide this weekend he wanted nothing to do with the festivities.
"I didn't want my family and friends to organise flights," he said. "I didn't want to know - I just let my wife organise them."
By Jessica Halloran
July 30 2003
Sydney ruckman Jason Ball is a shattered man after being ruled out for the season by a shoulder injury and missing the chance to be part of the finals series.
"I'm bitterly disappointed more than anything," Ball said yesterday. "We are four to five weeks off playing in the finals, and maybe a home final in front of a Sydney crowd - that would have been amazing."
It's not his first serious injury - in the 2002 pre-season he ripped a groin muscle from his pelvis and missed the season. Ball said his mind was already focused on recovery and being fit to hit the training track in November. He said he might have an off-field role with the team but would discuss that possibility with coach Paul Roos in the coming weeks.
With Ball out the Swans ruck, stocks are considerably weaker. Adam Goodes will take up most of the slack.
"Goodes has got a lot to do," Ball said. "He was good against Fremantle [on Sunday]. And there's opportunities for other younger guys . . . opportunities to play in a finals game."
James Meiklejohn and Lewis Roberts-Thomson will have that opportunity. Stephen Doyle, who is recovering from a knee injury, is also expected back in the side in three weeks, which will boost the Swans' ruck division. But Goodes said the absence of Ball was a "massive problem".
"A big man is priceless in the ruck," Goodes said. "I don't think my game will change much, just the workload will be a little bit bigger, which is fine by me. I have no problem with that.
"LRT [Roberts-Thomson] has the opportunity to get more time on the ball, but with Jason out it's a great loss to the club."
The Swans have not had a ruck coach all year, and the possible addition of Ball in a coaching role could be a bonus.
"Bally's got great ideas, as demonstrated from working with him over the last 17 weeks," Goodes said.
Ball ruptured his rotator cuff and suffered tendon damage in the game against Fremantle. He had an operation on his left shoulder last night. But the ruckman did not initially realise the severity of his injury.
"I sort of thought it might have just been a pinched nerve, but after 10 minutes the doctor said, 'I don't think it's a nerve'," Ball said.
"I went and had an X-ray, and I've ripped the shoulder muscle off the bone. I can't lift my arm at all, I can't lift it past 20 degrees. There's nothing I can do about it.
"I saw the doctor yesterday. I'm out for three months. I'll have my arm in a sling for six weeks."
Ball said he was superstitious, and even though he had been due to play his 150th game against Adelaide this weekend he wanted nothing to do with the festivities.
"I didn't want my family and friends to organise flights," he said. "I didn't want to know - I just let my wife organise them."
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