Fraser Should Be Right This Time
The Age
Wednesday May 21, 2008
COLLINGWOOD ruckman Josh Fraser is expected to return for Friday night's preliminary final rematch against Geelong after overcoming a knee injury received playing for Victoria in the Hall of Fame tribute game.
Fraser did not play in the 2007 preliminary final, giving Brad Ottens free rein against inexperienced duo Chris Bryan and Guy Richards, and vice-captain Nick Maxwell said yesterday the club expected its No. 1 ruckman to make a huge difference."We expect him to (play), yeah. He trained (yesterday) and trained very well, so hopefully, he will be right for us," Maxwell said. "We did (miss him in the preliminary final). He is our No. 1 ruckman, so obviously you want him back every chance you can. He was in some great form in that Victorian game, so hopefully, he can get back to that pretty quick."Maxwell admitted the Pies had struggled to fill the void left by James Clement's retirement, and the absence of Simon Prestigiacomo through injury, but second-year players Marty Clarke and Nathan Brown had stepped up in recent weeks. "We never really expected to lose (Clement) and we expected Simon Prestigiacomo to be playing by this stage," he said. "So we have lost two key defenders and obviously if you take them out of any team, it is going to be tough."The young guys are really stepping up. Marty Clarke, he is back in some good form and I think that Nathan Brown has really taken on the roles that we have given him really well . . . we are really impressed at the way he has gone about it and hopefully, he continues to improve," Maxwell said.
© 2008 The Age
