Greystache
24-05-2011, 01:53 AM
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/04/11/1226037/220074-brian-lake.jpg
STAR Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake has finally resolved a protracted battle with former teammate Nathan Eagleton that threatened to spill into court.
The Dogs hope last week's settlement over the proceeds of a childcare business might be the mental release Lake needs as he fights to return to the AFL.
Lake hopes to return to the Bulldogs side against Hawthorn on Sunday, although the lack of a suitable match-up and his moderate VFL form might count against him.
The Bulldogs would be unlikely to play Lake on Lance Franklin, who is making regular forays upfield to find the ball.
The Dogs believe the penny has dropped for Lake, who struggled with his professionalism as he tried to rehabilitate his knee.
Eagleton's wife Angela had threatened legal action after squabbling over the distribution of money from the sale of North Altona childcare business Kidz Play Shak.
But last week all parties agreed to terms and signed off on the distribution of assets.
It was the end of a messy battle, which saw Eagleton and Lake fall out over the business they bought for their wives.
While the rift has been compared with the Andrew McLeod-Tyson Edwards rivalry at Adelaide, the Dogs do not believe it harmed their effort last season.
Both players are relaxed personalities who avoid confrontation, even if their wives were in a pitched battle about the direction of their childcare centre.
The resolution comes as the Bulldogs emphatically deny Lake postponed any off-season surgery to holiday overseas.
That accusation was thrown at Lake by former teammate Jason Akermanis, who said the dual All-Australian refused to reveal his injuries to medical staff then had his pre-season postponed as a result.
Lake required immediate knee surgery in Grand Final week, had hip surgery upon his return from holiday, then needed shoulder and bicep tendon surgery.
But he was among several players who had immediate surgery post-season, with Ryan Hargrave ordered into the operating theatre despite his forthcoming marriage.
Lake could not have both the knee and hip surgeries at the same time, and had his hip surgery just days after returning from holidays.
It was only after he resumed pre-season training that the shoulder began troubling him, with surgery revealing bicep tendon damage, which required attention.
But while Lake can be frustratingly relaxed, at no stage do the Dogs feel he was trying to deceive them about his injuries. What was annoying was the lack of attention paid to his fitness in the season's early weeks.
Finally, after a heated discussion that followed his demotion and Akermanis's barbs, he committed to doing everything possible to get back to full fitness.
As insiders say, it was "the kick up the a--- he needed".
Now comes a decision on whether to ignore his VFL form, especially given the Dogs' season is on the line against the Hawks.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dogfight-between-brian-lake-and-nathan-eagleton-resolved-eyes-are-on-game/story-e6frf9jf-1226061492241
STAR Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake has finally resolved a protracted battle with former teammate Nathan Eagleton that threatened to spill into court.
The Dogs hope last week's settlement over the proceeds of a childcare business might be the mental release Lake needs as he fights to return to the AFL.
Lake hopes to return to the Bulldogs side against Hawthorn on Sunday, although the lack of a suitable match-up and his moderate VFL form might count against him.
The Bulldogs would be unlikely to play Lake on Lance Franklin, who is making regular forays upfield to find the ball.
The Dogs believe the penny has dropped for Lake, who struggled with his professionalism as he tried to rehabilitate his knee.
Eagleton's wife Angela had threatened legal action after squabbling over the distribution of money from the sale of North Altona childcare business Kidz Play Shak.
But last week all parties agreed to terms and signed off on the distribution of assets.
It was the end of a messy battle, which saw Eagleton and Lake fall out over the business they bought for their wives.
While the rift has been compared with the Andrew McLeod-Tyson Edwards rivalry at Adelaide, the Dogs do not believe it harmed their effort last season.
Both players are relaxed personalities who avoid confrontation, even if their wives were in a pitched battle about the direction of their childcare centre.
The resolution comes as the Bulldogs emphatically deny Lake postponed any off-season surgery to holiday overseas.
That accusation was thrown at Lake by former teammate Jason Akermanis, who said the dual All-Australian refused to reveal his injuries to medical staff then had his pre-season postponed as a result.
Lake required immediate knee surgery in Grand Final week, had hip surgery upon his return from holiday, then needed shoulder and bicep tendon surgery.
But he was among several players who had immediate surgery post-season, with Ryan Hargrave ordered into the operating theatre despite his forthcoming marriage.
Lake could not have both the knee and hip surgeries at the same time, and had his hip surgery just days after returning from holidays.
It was only after he resumed pre-season training that the shoulder began troubling him, with surgery revealing bicep tendon damage, which required attention.
But while Lake can be frustratingly relaxed, at no stage do the Dogs feel he was trying to deceive them about his injuries. What was annoying was the lack of attention paid to his fitness in the season's early weeks.
Finally, after a heated discussion that followed his demotion and Akermanis's barbs, he committed to doing everything possible to get back to full fitness.
As insiders say, it was "the kick up the a--- he needed".
Now comes a decision on whether to ignore his VFL form, especially given the Dogs' season is on the line against the Hawks.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dogfight-between-brian-lake-and-nathan-eagleton-resolved-eyes-are-on-game/story-e6frf9jf-1226061492241