ABC Sport: comeback

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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Magpies mum on Krakouer comeback

Updated July 20, 2012 18:14:48

Collingwood has hosed down speculation that forwards Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer could soon make returns from serious injuries.

The pair both underwent knee reconstruction operations in February and have recently returned to training.

Krakouer and Macaffer have stepped up their training intensity this week but it is still far from certain they will be fit to rejoin the side this season.

Young goalsneak Alex Fasolo said the duo were well on the way to recovery but questioned speculation they would make shock returns.

"They are back and doing full contact training which is great," Fasolo said.

"We don't really know if they'll get back, we'll see how they go getting through this phase at the moment.

"There will definitely be a cautious approach. Anyone who does an ACL, you would have to take a cautious approach, but we'll see how they go.

"It would be great to have them back before the end of the year but we just don't know at this point."

Collingwood faces Hawthorn, which is without injured spearhead Buddy Franklin, at the MCG on Saturday in what could prove to be a preview of the finals.

Despite the absence of Franklin, Fasolo said the Hawks should never be underestimated.

"They've obviously got a lot of depth so we'll be looking to play our best footy," he said.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, collingwood-3066, vic, australia

First posted July 20, 2012 18:14:48

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Goodes set to make comeback

Updated June 20, 2012 13:01:58

Sydney coach John Longmire is confident inspirational co-captain Adam Goodes will be playing in Friday night's blockbuster match with reigning premiers Geelong.

Missing the past six weeks with a quad strain, Goodes has trained well this week and looks set to take the field in front of a sell-out crowd at the only Friday night match at the SCG this year.

"He's looking pretty well," Longmire said.

"We expect him to train again today and to be playing on Friday."

Longmire says he will not be putting any pressure on the 304-match veteran in his comeback appearance and expects the rest of the squad to maintain the standard of the past few weeks without Goodes.

"There's no expectation for him to come into the team and dominate from the first bounce," he said.

"We know he's a fit player, we know he can play forward, midfield and a number of roles for us, so we just expect him to come in and contribute.

"Goodesy hasn't missed too many matches so other players have needed to step up and we've been able to get through that time without him.

"So those players know they need to just play like they have been the past few weeks."

Longmire knows the Cats, on a three-match winning streak, will prove a test for his Swans, but takes some confidence from his charges' nail-biting four-point victory over Essendon in round 11.

"If you go through the names in their (Geelong) team, it's a who's who of the last five years of premiership football," Longmire said.

"They can turn it on any week, any quarter or any five-minute block ... so we know we need to be at our best to beat them."

The Swans, who are fourth on the ladder with an eight-three win-loss record, have played just four Friday night matches at the SCG since 1997.

Pocket rocket Ben McGlynn will also return for the Swans following a week's suspension then the bye, while Shane Mumford, who has been back for two matches since missing six weeks with a back problem earlier in the season, will look to get back to his best for the clash against his former team.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, sydney-2000

First posted June 20, 2012 12:59:12

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