Risks foil Roo's return
September 4th 2010 03:08
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
By Brett Stubbs
CLARENCE coach Brett Geappen will not play in today's second TSL semi-final, after failing to provide the medical documentation AFL Tasmania required.
Geappen was attempting to make his comeback today after being forced into early retirement mid-season with a disc injury in his neck.
A bulging disc caused arm pain and he was hospitalised.
It was the second serious neck injury Geappen had received and doctors advised him to quit playing, having also had a vertebra fused during the pre-season.
AFL Tasmania general manager Shaun Young said yesterday Geappen would not take the field in today's match against Launceston.
"There has been no written correspondence form Brett's medical team outlining that he would be placed at no greater risk than any other player," Young said yesterday.
"Therefore, as per the guidelines we implemented with the Clarence Football Club, Brett will not be allowed to play," Young said.
"I've been in regular consultation with Clarence, they have been fantastic to work with and very supportive of the process we have implemented.
"Not only us but the Clarence Football Club has got Brett's best interests at heart."
While the chances of Geappen re-injuring his neck were slim, more damage to the neck or spine could have resulted in permanent paralysis.
Geappen, 29, was not keen to discuss his situation yesterday.
"I didn't expect this sort of response," he said.
"The thing is, the team has to get named early in the week [on Wednesday], that is the tough part.
"At that stage, was I playing or not? Who knows.
"If I don't put my name in the side, I'm no chance but I knew I still had some hurdles to get over.
"It has been no distraction at all to the team.
"It has been to me, to a certain extent, but it is not going to affect my coaching. I know what's going on and we'll leave it at that," Geappen said.
By Brett Stubbs
CLARENCE coach Brett Geappen will not play in today's second TSL semi-final, after failing to provide the medical documentation AFL Tasmania required.
Brett Geappen's game gamble is over.
Geappen was attempting to make his comeback today after being forced into early retirement mid-season with a disc injury in his neck.
A bulging disc caused arm pain and he was hospitalised.
It was the second serious neck injury Geappen had received and doctors advised him to quit playing, having also had a vertebra fused during the pre-season.
AFL Tasmania general manager Shaun Young said yesterday Geappen would not take the field in today's match against Launceston.
"There has been no written correspondence form Brett's medical team outlining that he would be placed at no greater risk than any other player," Young said yesterday.
"Therefore, as per the guidelines we implemented with the Clarence Football Club, Brett will not be allowed to play," Young said.
"I've been in regular consultation with Clarence, they have been fantastic to work with and very supportive of the process we have implemented.
"Not only us but the Clarence Football Club has got Brett's best interests at heart."
While the chances of Geappen re-injuring his neck were slim, more damage to the neck or spine could have resulted in permanent paralysis.
Geappen, 29, was not keen to discuss his situation yesterday.
"I didn't expect this sort of response," he said.
"The thing is, the team has to get named early in the week [on Wednesday], that is the tough part.
"At that stage, was I playing or not? Who knows.
"If I don't put my name in the side, I'm no chance but I knew I still had some hurdles to get over.
"It has been no distraction at all to the team.
"It has been to me, to a certain extent, but it is not going to affect my coaching. I know what's going on and we'll leave it at that," Geappen said.
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