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An article just up on the AFL site for those of you interested.
Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.
Sydney?s number one ruckman Jason Ball will be hoping this theory will prove true after yet another frustrating end-of-season injury.
After a magnificent 2001 where he finished fourth in the best-and-fairest, Ball tore his groin muscle from his pelvis during the 2002 pre-season, ending his season prematurely after three failed comebacks in the VFL and Sydney AFL.
However, the 30-year-old made an astonishing return this year surprising many with his fitness, form and combination with ruckman/forward Adam Goodes.
Sadly a dislocated shoulder causing tendon damage sustained early in the round 17 match against Fremantle saw him go under the knife preventing him from playing a part in the Swans? finals campaign - a stunning two-goal victory over minor premier Port in Adelaide, and a heart-breaking 44-point loss to eventual premiers, the Brisbane Lions, at Telstra Stadium in the preliminary final.
Ball told afl.com.au he hopes to return stronger and looks forward to making up for lost time.
?My recovery is coming along really good,? Ball said.
?The doctor?s say I am ahead of schedule so I should be on track for full training in January.
?This year was my most enjoyable year of football, let?s hope (it continues next year). If I can get a good pre-season under my belt, go from there, and if we (Sydney) can carry on from where we finished this year it should be great.?
Sydney physiotherapist Matt Cameron told afl.com.au Ball is out of a sling now and has virtually a full range of movement.
?Jason has commenced light weight training. He is also due to begin running when back in Sydney (from a holiday in Fiji) after only light cross training up till now,? Cameron said.
Ball won the ?Barry Round Trophy? for Best Clubman at the Swans? Club Champion dinner which he saw as a small consolation.
?It?s good to still feel part of the team. Even though I missed the finals matches and the big games against Collingwood and Brisbane, it is nice to still feel part of the team when you are sitting on the sidelines,? Ball said.
?I felt pretty ****ty about missing the Port Adelaide win (in the qualifying final) actually, it?s one of those games that will never be forgotten and they are the games you want to play in the most.
?The guys had a never-say-die attitude. It was huge relief when they won so it was really good.
?I played the first 17 games and did all the hard work in the pre-season (so I do feel part of the team) a little bit. I mean it is not the same when you are not playing.
?I just like to play footy and you like to play footy with your mates and the year we had was just sensational.?
A memorable part of September for Ball was Goodes? Brownlow Medal win, admitting he feels ?privileged? to play with him.
?I had a tear in my eye (when he won the Brownlow) it was just amazing,? Ball said.
?Goodesy is just a magnificent Brownlow winner and best-and-fairest winner and all the credit must go to Goodesy.
?The guy?s ability is enormous, his work ethic is enormous and his attitude is just sensational so there could not be a more deserving winner.?
Another aspect keeping Ball excited about the season ahead is the chance to play alongside Sydney?s blooming youngsters.
?The young guys are great. Their want to work is really good.
?Players like James Meiklejohn, Lewis Roberts-Thompson are phenomenal, they keep you young. They keep me thinking and it makes me want to play more footy with them
Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.
Sydney?s number one ruckman Jason Ball will be hoping this theory will prove true after yet another frustrating end-of-season injury.
After a magnificent 2001 where he finished fourth in the best-and-fairest, Ball tore his groin muscle from his pelvis during the 2002 pre-season, ending his season prematurely after three failed comebacks in the VFL and Sydney AFL.
However, the 30-year-old made an astonishing return this year surprising many with his fitness, form and combination with ruckman/forward Adam Goodes.
Sadly a dislocated shoulder causing tendon damage sustained early in the round 17 match against Fremantle saw him go under the knife preventing him from playing a part in the Swans? finals campaign - a stunning two-goal victory over minor premier Port in Adelaide, and a heart-breaking 44-point loss to eventual premiers, the Brisbane Lions, at Telstra Stadium in the preliminary final.
Ball told afl.com.au he hopes to return stronger and looks forward to making up for lost time.
?My recovery is coming along really good,? Ball said.
?The doctor?s say I am ahead of schedule so I should be on track for full training in January.
?This year was my most enjoyable year of football, let?s hope (it continues next year). If I can get a good pre-season under my belt, go from there, and if we (Sydney) can carry on from where we finished this year it should be great.?
Sydney physiotherapist Matt Cameron told afl.com.au Ball is out of a sling now and has virtually a full range of movement.
?Jason has commenced light weight training. He is also due to begin running when back in Sydney (from a holiday in Fiji) after only light cross training up till now,? Cameron said.
Ball won the ?Barry Round Trophy? for Best Clubman at the Swans? Club Champion dinner which he saw as a small consolation.
?It?s good to still feel part of the team. Even though I missed the finals matches and the big games against Collingwood and Brisbane, it is nice to still feel part of the team when you are sitting on the sidelines,? Ball said.
?I felt pretty ****ty about missing the Port Adelaide win (in the qualifying final) actually, it?s one of those games that will never be forgotten and they are the games you want to play in the most.
?The guys had a never-say-die attitude. It was huge relief when they won so it was really good.
?I played the first 17 games and did all the hard work in the pre-season (so I do feel part of the team) a little bit. I mean it is not the same when you are not playing.
?I just like to play footy and you like to play footy with your mates and the year we had was just sensational.?
A memorable part of September for Ball was Goodes? Brownlow Medal win, admitting he feels ?privileged? to play with him.
?I had a tear in my eye (when he won the Brownlow) it was just amazing,? Ball said.
?Goodesy is just a magnificent Brownlow winner and best-and-fairest winner and all the credit must go to Goodesy.
?The guy?s ability is enormous, his work ethic is enormous and his attitude is just sensational so there could not be a more deserving winner.?
Another aspect keeping Ball excited about the season ahead is the chance to play alongside Sydney?s blooming youngsters.
?The young guys are great. Their want to work is really good.
?Players like James Meiklejohn, Lewis Roberts-Thompson are phenomenal, they keep you young. They keep me thinking and it makes me want to play more footy with them
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