ARMO- Why his form declined and why he may now be BACK

[saintsRrising]

For the full article go to http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/t ... d2118075ac

DAVID Armitage endured almost two years of mystery.

It turns out he is double his 28 years on the inside, revealing he was recently told he had a back that was weaker than that of “a 50 to 70-year-old man”.

But the injury that has plagued the Saints star — and the various treatment methods that went with it — may now be a thing of the past, having thrown himself into a non-invasive treatment program that has him feeling better than ever.

“I got through the year — had a pretty good 2015 because I’d done the majority of work in the pre-season anyway — and then it came back in the pre-season the year after in early 2016. Literally the third day back it started spasming and stuff again.”

Last year’s pre-season was basically non-existent.

Out on the “back oval” at the club’s Seaford training base, Armitage endured months of solo training and periods where slow running was all he was allowed.

Away from the club, he couldn’t do much.

Enter the Kieser program — physiotherapy, rehabilitation and strength training — that has renewed Armitage’s faith in his body.

I’ve been doing (the program) since the start of October. Now, I’m a lot stronger and it’s been able to let me do every session this year. I still have my ups and downs where it still gets quite sore and stiff, but I’ve certainly built up my strength in my lower back to be able to do leg weights and do a full pre-season.

So we now know why Armo last year was not the player he was. Importantly too we should see a better Armo again this season. He certainly looked good against the Swans last night.

[skeptic]

IMO pbly the most important player on our list for the season ahead. If he returns to 2015 form then the sky is the limit for 2017.

I'm one of his harsher critics... and was disappointed with his 2016. Incredible effort considering his injury. Many on here suspected he was carrying something.

[White Winmar]

He's back! Pun intended. It shows how tough and resilient these guys are. Anyone who's ever had any sort of chronic back complaint must wonder how he got on the field at all, let alone played some half decent footy. Like Roo and his knee for about three years.

[Enrico_Misso]

That explains a lot.
And better gives hope that the old Armo is back as per his great game yesterday.

[Milne]

Have a lot of faith in the lad. This is definitely Armos year.

[stkfc1]

Will be stoked if we get 2015 Armo back. With Steven going to get the hard tag each week we need our other mids creating headaches for opp coaches cause you can't tag 'em all! Dunstan looking like he's ready to take the next step, Ross keeps improving add Steele and hoping Gresh can avoid the second year blues and we have a good mix going through the middle. Would like to see Wright and Membrey (if he's struggling up forward) given a bit more time in the middle also, as they add hardness and (Wright) a bit of dash. Our speed and spread out of stoppages is still a concern for mine.

[prwilkinson]

Armo!

[Bluthy]

I read that on Sunday. I thought it was quite common knowledge that he had been battling with his back for years. Its why I think they got Stevens in. The club has to be worried about a 29 yo with a chronically bad back limiting his preseasons, rumoured to have a groin problem last year too to go with his badly infected knee etc. Hopefully this new treatment does him good (says he's had a full preseason because of it) but the club has to consider a post-Armo team if he can't get some more outside run happening. Stevens is a pretty good replacement with inside grunt and some speed. Dunstan, Steele and Acres can deliver some solid inside work as well so ARmo can't just rely on his inside stuff for the future

[Moods]

He's back! Pun intended. It shows how tough and resilient these guys are. Anyone who's ever had any sort of chronic back complaint must wonder how he got on the field at all, let alone played some half decent footy. Like Roo and his knee for about three years.

That's very true. What they put themselves through to get on the park is quite amazing and us supporters take it all for granted. People forget that Roo was hobbling on his knee way back in 2009. Still going in 2017 and going well. I'd almost forgot how important Armo is to our team until I saw his game on Sunday. A classic big bodied mid - aggressive, tough and just keeps going.

[saintspremiers]

Imagine a firing Armo, Ross, Steven, Steele & JB.

That's a midfield to make a desert moist!

[james rose]

Kieser are first rate.

[jays]

top read and strange injury

[elizabethr]

Strength of will enabled him to play every game last season.

[BigMart]

Was he only good in 2015

Another myth

I think he was going ok pre leg injury 2014
And in many games prior to then

In 2009 he had 2 absolutely dominant games at the end of the year
One game 3 Brownlow votes
Another he had 13 tackles

The dropped a fortnight later?...

[BigMart]

Point is

He's a very good footballer,has been for a while

It was widely reported last year he shouldn't really have played at all...

[skeptic]

Was he only good in 2015

Another myth

I think he was going ok pre leg injury 2014
And in many games prior to then

In 2009 he had 2 absolutely dominant games at the end of the year
One game 3 Brownlow votes
Another he had 13 tackles

The dropped a fortnight later?...

No but I think he was only consistently great in 2015...

He's been good for a long time. Certainly should have played more earlier