Bateman, Croad in doubt for Prelim

[MonsterEatsThePilot]

Bateman ankle scare for Hawks
HAWTHORN on-baller Chance Bateman threw a scare through the Hawks' camp on Tuesday when he rolled an ankle at training.

The important runner went over on his ankle early in the session and did not re-emerge from the rooms to complete the run.

While it looked ominous, skipper Sam Mitchell was confident Bateman would be fit to play against St Kilda on Saturday night.

"I think he will be okay. He rolled his ankle, came off and had it re-strapped, and there is no point going back out there and re-aggravating it," Mitchell said.

"He will be assessed over the next couple of days, but I think he'll be okay."

In other injury news, Trent Croad, who has been suffering from a bruised foot, failed to join the main group, but Mitchell said the key defender had done everything right and that he was looking good to take his place in the side.

Potentially good news for us. The fairytale is not yet written.. but its not far off.

[matrix]

ill be well stoked if bateman doesnt pull up...

but if he has a rolled ankle he's likely to get a needle half hour before the game and play.

croad out means theres not much left to take on roo.....

[MonsterEatsThePilot]

ill be well stoked if bateman doesnt pull up...

but if he has a rolled ankle he's likely to get a needle half hour before the game and play.

croad out means theres not much left to take on roo.....

jabbed ankles aren't the easiest to run on, especially for someone that relies on their pace as much as bateman does.
lets hope everyone pulls through unscathed this arvo!

[Hurricane]

Id be super stoked if Bateman doesnt play, he is one of thir most damaging players (wouldnt look to bad in a Saints jumper) If Croad doesnt play Rooey will kick 10, they have nobody else that can go with him.

mabey the footy gods are finally smiling on us again

BANG BANG

[Cro]

I reckon bateman is the bloke we're struggling most for a match up on, so if he's out it makes life a lot easier on our part.

If there's no Croad they might have to put Roughead back into defence. :p

[Saints Premiers 2008]

both will play, just attempted mind games one would think

[Saintschampions08]

ill be well stoked if bateman doesnt pull up...

but if he has a rolled ankle he's likely to get a needle half hour before the game and play.

croad out means theres not much left to take on roo.....

Croad's overrated, he played last time and Roo kicked 6.

[WayneJudson42]

both will play, just attempted mind games one would think

agree

[Eastern]

Let them take injured players into a prelim if they want to !!

[matrix]

ill be well stoked if bateman doesnt pull up...

but if he has a rolled ankle he's likely to get a needle half hour before the game and play.

croad out means theres not much left to take on roo.....

Croad's overrated, he played last time and Roo kicked 6.

agreed..over rated.
but he is prob there best chance on roo

i love it

[Otiman]

Croad's overrated, he played last time and Roo kicked 6.

And if he doesn't play, Roo will kick 10.

[StSteven]

Alll we need is Chapman out, Ablett's ankle to flair up and Bartel to get the flu and the Cup is ours!

[saintsRrising]

One of the BigFooty Rumours on Croad is that he has actually broken a bone in his foot. If so..then even witha jab he may not wanbt to be running flat out chasing Roo all day.

The Hawks backline lacks height...and so Croad while an average player if out..will be a big loss for the Hawks.

So would be a great game for Kosi to keep up his ok form against the Pies.

[Batnoe]

They can jab a sprain

if there is no damage they can jab it and all you will do is play on a bruised ankle

Should be fine, however if there is any tendon or ligament damage i wouldnt play on it....

[st.byron]

Croad's overrated, he played last time and Roo kicked 6.

And if he doesn't play, Roo will kick 10.

I know it's obvious, but having someone to take on Roo is only a small part of their defensive plan. Great for us if Croad doesn't play and Roo is manned by a less suitable player and Kosi is therefore manned by someone else etc.
But the key will be the midfield pressure our guys can apply. Winning the contested footy all over the park is what's going to win us this game, not just Roo. If our contested pressure is good and the ball's coming into a reasonably open forward 50, that's how we want it to be.

[saintspremiers]

I had great pleasure in phoning my Hawks mate to tell him the news!

Whatever they say about "Changga" (or Master as I call him!), surely he'll be at best only 80% running capacity by Saturday.....rolled ankles don't fully recover in 4 days unless it's very minor you'd think.

They can jab him all they like, numb his ankle....but he won't be 100%!

[Sobraz]

Bateman will play, Croad wont...

Croad isnt much of a loss... A seriously overrated player, and to be honest, i'd prefer he did play..

Bateman is a good player, proivides good run and carry, so a sore ankle may hold him back a bit... Both these guys played shockers against us in our win earlier in the season...

[4ever_saint]

correct me if i'm wrong, but i thought that trent croad was carrying a stress fracture in his foot? or was that only a rumour?

[Sam23]

They'll both play.

[your momma]

yep agree with the theory that Croad is cheap and overated, im not scared if these two are playing, although ppl r saying it would be a great help if Chance is playin, it must be just me........everytime i see him play he is..umm...inefectve...? ive just seen him play wrong time wrong place. a reason why i dont mind and respect Chance.

[Quixote]

I'd rather Croad miss than Bateman - but reckon both will play.

Chance is over-rated - Fiora played run-with last time and CERTAINLY got the better of him.

Decent athlete, but not a damaging player for mine.

[Armoooo]

I'd rather Croad miss than Bateman - but reckon both will play.

Chance is over-rated - Fiora played run-with last time and CERTAINLY got the better of him.

Decent athlete, but not a damaging player for mine.

Didn't Changa just come back from an injury that week?

Chance is a very good player, Ross will know this and he must be given someone to worry about, possibly by CJ, possibly be by Monty.

Croad is a solid defender however he is not great, while he would be no great loss it would damage their structure.

Personally I think we will win regardless but I would rather both players miss out...

[Otiman]

It's all smoke and mirrors to put us off having one set plan. Forces us to have a backup if they miss.

[Quixote]

I'd rather Croad miss than Bateman - but reckon both will play.

Chance is over-rated - Fiora played run-with last time and CERTAINLY got the better of him.

Decent athlete, but not a damaging player for mine.

Didn't Changa just come back from an injury that week?

Chance is a very good player, Ross will know this and he must be given someone to worry about, possibly by CJ, possibly be by Monty.

Croad is a solid defender however he is not great, while he would be no great loss it would damage their structure.

Personally I think we will win regardless but I would rather both players miss out...

Yeah probably - I thought he was lucky to get back in!!

Seriously - apply genuine pressure to Bateman and his foot-skills crumble. Also is not too keen on the hard-ball!


Croad can go missing for weeks or play a blinder on a top shelf forward. I would the former!

[Enrico_Misso]

Perhaps pretty boy Chance could only get his hair appointment on Sat evening.