Latest news with #LiamReidy
West Australian
22-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle's Liam Reidy on being the forgotten man in the Dockers' ruck dilemma
Fremantle's Liam Reidy has conceded the success of ruckmen who have thrived at a second club does cross his mind as he battles to get a game ahead of stars Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy. Reidy is almost the forgotten man in the debate which surrounds the Dockers' ruck stocks, with persistent talks around the validity of coach Justin Longmuir playing both Jackson and Darcy in the same team. The 204cm mature-age rookie has played only three AFL games in three seasons and is unlikely to add to that this year unless either of the big men ahead of him in the pecking order are injured. This is despite Reidy's solid form in the WAFL for Peel Thunder, where he averages 42 hit-outs and 14 disposals. Reidy is arguably following a similar path to former Docker Lloyd Meek, who managed only 15 games in five seasons at the harbour club before he was traded to Hawthorn, where he has become one of the game's best tap-men. When asked if he looks at the success of Collingwood's Darcy Cameron and Meek as examples of ruckmen who have starred at their second clubs, Reidy said: 'You kind of think about that when you're not getting an opportunity. 'But I am at Freo at the moment and the rest of the year, so I am just worried about putting my best foot forward every week and playing some good footy. The rest will take care of itself.' Reid hasn't played for Fremantle since the disappointing round one defeat to Geelong, but he hasn't given up hope off suiting up again. 'I want to be playing at the top level, but I know the two boys ahead of me are pretty solid players as well,' he said. 'I am just trying to get better and keep developing myself, speaking to the line coaches, the ruck coach as well and continuing to get better every week. 'I keep it pretty week to week. I've got the things I need to work on, so I'll just jeep on doing that and bringing my strengths every week and stacking up good performances and keep on moving forward. I don't look too long-term at all.' Reidy said he looked up to North Melbourne counterpart Tristan Xerri as well as Melbourne captain Max Gawn, who taught him a lesson during a pre-season game in Mandurah this year. 'You learn a lot. Those blokes are so smart, and the ruck is a chess battle really,' he said. 'He's done it so many times at the top level, so after that you learn a lot once you dissect it and go through the film. He taught me a few things, that's for sure.'
BreakingNews.ie
21-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Garda who was shot in leg by his own gun sues State
A garda who was shot in the leg when his sub-machine gun discharged after it allegedly snagged on his bulletproof vest has sued the State in the High Court. He has brought an action against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General. Advertisement The garda's ankle was shattered after he claimed he was required to manoeuvre himself within the confined space of a patrol vehicle, leading to the safety selector switch and the trigger of his firearm allegedly snagging on his bulletproof vest and the gun discharging one round. In evidence, the garda told the court he had never experienced pain like it and nearly passed out. In the proceedings, it is claimed that there was a failure to provide the garda with a safe place of work, and he had been caused to carry his firearm in close proximity in a confined space while wearing allegedly inappropriate personal protective equipment. Ms Justice Denise Brett ruled that the garda or any garda witness in the case cannot be identified. Advertisement His counsel, Liam Reidy SC, instructed by solicitor Brigid O'Donnell, told the court that liability was admitted in the case but initially there was a full denial of liability and allegations of contributory negligence were made against the garda that he had been the author of his own misfortune. This was distressing for the garda and he could not believe it, Ms O'Donnell said. In his evidence, the garda, who was in the force for over 15 years at the time of the incident, said he had been on patrol in July 2019 with colleagues in an area where there had been serious incidents, including shootings. He said he was the driver of the jeep and he was wearing a bulletproof vest and had a pistol in a holster and a sub-machine gun in a sling around his neck, pointing down. Advertisement He said he turned around to check the back seat when his sub machine gun discharged. 'I felt immediate excruciating pain, and I saw smoke from the weapon and blood squirting up to the seat,' he said. He added: 'The pain really kicked in; it was so bad, I nearly passed out. I never experienced that type of pain,' he said. He said his colleague made his weapons safe, and he was brought to hospital. Advertisement 'The ankle was shattered. I remember the doctor saying my leg was a mush before I went into surgery,' he told the judge. The bullet had gone through the back of his left leg and ankle joint, and his left ankle had shattered. He had to have surgery and later physiotherapy. He was out of work for 18 months after the incident. Ireland Annual Garda memorial day made 'more poignant' by... Read More The garda told the court he did everything he could to build up his leg afterwards ' but the pain never really left.' He had further surgery to the ankle in January this year, and he told the court he is still in pain, and he lost a lot of muscle mass in his leg, and he will have to build his leg back up again. The Garda told the judge he did everything in accordance with procedures in relation to the handling of his firearm. He said he prided himself in relation to safety with firearms. He said he was devastated when the claims of contributory negligence were initially made by the State parties. The case before Ms Justice Denise Brett continues on Thursday.
