News

Dempsey and Winderlich on track for round one

Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon coach James Hird says knee reconstruction duo Courtenay Dempsey and Jason Winderlich will be ready to play in round one of the AFL season.

Both players required surgery after damaging their AC ligaments against Carlton in round four last year.

Dempsey joined in 2012 pre-season training a month before Christmas.

"Courtenay Dempsey is training exceptionally well," Hird told 3AW radio.

"He's been with us (on the training track) since three or four weeks before Christmas.

"Jason Winderlich has had some really good periods. We've backed him off a little bit just over the past week or so because we want to make sure he doesn't get too much knee soreness.

"His reconstruction required a little bit more surgery than Courtenay's, so we've got to be a bit more careful with him, but they'll both be fit and ready to go by round one."

Hird said Dempsey would be ready for the first round of the NAB Cup and Winderlich was in line to be introduced in round three.

Essendon starts its NAB Cup campaign against West Coast and Fremantle at Perth's Patersons Stadium on Sunday, February 19.

To contribute to the Flight Plan fundraising initiative for the new high performance facility click here.

PLAYER PROFILE: Jason Winderlich
PLAYER PROFILE: Courtenay Dempsey

Your comments

Add your own comment now!

Username:
Password:
I've forgotten my details, please email them to me.

Your comment (must be 100 words or less):

Great. Looking forward to seeing them both. What about Pris ?

- alec shiffman (posted 2/02/2012 10:03:14 AM)

Ease up on the training Jimmy! Courtney looks as though he hasn't slept! Great news though for both. As for Pris Alec. Be lucky to play seniors this year is my guess. Shame as he seemed to be getting it right after a tough start last year.

- Brad Scarr (posted 2/02/2012 10:23:57 AM)

A lot of talk has been about Colyer & Melksham bulking up but, hey, Dempsey looks like he has grown more that just hair!

- Kris Bayne (posted 2/02/2012 10:30:50 AM)

There were times last year when we really missed the class of both these blokes, it will be a real bonus for the team to have them back, Courtenay was in career best form and was learning to back himself in all situations, but the lack of news out of the club is probably the best of the whole lot, no injury news, is good injury news.

- Max Rodwell (posted 2/02/2012 12:11:06 PM)

Can't wait to see that aggressive pace from Demps. I'm excited!

- Kevin Jackson (posted 2/02/2012 2:02:06 PM)

Important players..... Looking forward to their first game in 2012.... Courtenay is looking mean and nasty - good stuff!!!!!

- Victor Tallis (posted 2/02/2012 2:50:10 PM)

WONDER FULL

- MARK JONES (posted 2/02/2012 3:33:06 PM)

We really missed the quick running and skills of these guys last year.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 2/02/2012 4:09:08 PM)

Poor Courtney has not had time to shave or have a hair cut he has been training that hard. He looks mean in that photo and frightful. Hopefully it has an impact on the opposition.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 2/02/2012 9:58:11 PM)

Great to have them back, but interested in the beards. Dempsey has one, but is that Pris in the team photo with the other? If so, is this part of the treatment?

- Wesley Hull (posted 2/02/2012 9:59:11 PM)

Starting to look like a few Geoff Pryor look-a-likes are on the list... But they deserve displaying the "attitude" looks and locks... A lot of "hard yakka" to return from "knees".. All the best Bomber Boys !!

- Noel Shields (posted 3/02/2012 12:19:32 AM)

FLASH is back! Cant wait to see those dashing runs off half back.

- daniel McNamara (posted 3/02/2012 2:08:54 AM)

Wesley, don't think it's Pris. does any one know who it is with the beard right at the front

- Gerard Smith (posted 3/02/2012 10:03:00 AM)

Noel, that mention of "yakka" gives me a shiver down the spine. They sponsored the 'Pies, remember ?

- alec shiffman (posted 3/02/2012 1:50:24 PM)