BEYOND THE BOUNDARY PODCAST – JUNE 18
Former Winchelsea captain Alex Gubbins has become the latest GDFNL player to fall victim to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament after scans confirmed the club’s worst fears.
Gubbins, who was four games into a comeback after three seasons away from the game, suffered the injury during last week’s loss to the Belmont Lions at Eastern Reserve.
“It’s pretty disappointing for him,” Blues coach Ben Moloney said.
“He’s got his own business and plenty of work to manage as a chippy (carpenter), so that’s something he’s got to figure out.
“It’s quite frustrating and disappointing.”
Gubbins is the second Blue to suffer a ruptured ACL, with Tayne Hewson going down in the reserves clash with Anakie in early May.
While ruckman Zac Herman avoided a full rupture, but won’t be seen again this season.
“Tane’s had an operation on his, but Zach’s wasn’t fully ruptured,” Moloney said.
“So there’s a new method they do now where it’s braced for 12 weeks on a 90-degree angle.
“After the 12 weeks, you take it off, and the theory is that it’s nearly repaired itself, basically.
“But there’s obviously a lot of strength work and rehab to go with it.”
Winchelsea has made three changes for its must-win meeting with finals contender Bell Post Hill.
Joining Gubbins in going out of the team are omitted duo Jack Symmons and Tim Miles.
Big man Mitch Thomas, Caleb Brown and Fin Kirsopp-Cole return to strengthen the Blues.
Former Williamstown player, Lara star and GFNL representative David Isbister has been named in the reserves with an eye to playing late in the season.
“He’ll play a little bit in the reserves and train next week,” Moloney said.
“He’s got a marathon in a few weeks, and once he’s done that, then the plan is that he’ll hopefully come in and impact towards the end of the season for us.”
The Panthers have made one change, with Clancy McKay replacing Daniel Banister, who has reinjured his hamstring.
Injury-hit Belmont Lions have been forced into six changes for their meeting with Bannockburn at Victoria Park.
They’ve lost Will Pelham, Jake Wood, Matt Dyster, James Beasley, and Josh Wilson from the team that defeated Winchelsea last week.
Interleague forward Ben McPherson is unavailable.
Colac recruit Brooklyn Johnston has been named to make his debut, former best-and-fairest Harry Thompson returns, and Finn Guiney-White and Ollie Mayman have been promoted from the reserves.
The Tigers welcome back Luke Bowdern, Joel Devlin, and Cooper Edwards at the expense of Callum Elliott, Ashton Phillips, and Rory Harding.
Playing coach Rhyce Prismall is back as Werribee Centrals face North Geelong at Keith Barclay Oval.
The Centurions have also promoted Fletcher Vesty, Zech De Leon and Ethan Gibson.
They replace Daryl Chesterman (soreness), Jack Stephenson (injured) and unavailable pair Bryce Linehan-Cunningham and Max Murdock.
North Geelong welcomes back captain Zac Schwennesen and gun midfielder Rory Desnoy.
Dylan Fisher is in the concussion protocol, while Noah Penny has been omitted.
Anakie has lost Jordan Kavanagh, Robbie Milne and Michael Crossett to injury ahead of its litmus test against East Geelong at Anakie Reserve.
Kavanagh has damaged his AC joint, while Mile and Crossett have hamstring issues.
They’ve been replaced by Josh and Jesse Mawson and Matt Dettman.
The Eagles have named Jayden Fanning and Patrick Visentin as the replacements for Lachie Zimmer (knee) and the unavailable Patrick O’Brien-Henderson.
Former GDFNL representative Michael Leamer will play his first senior game in nearly two years when Geelong West hosts Inverleigh at West Oval.
The Giants have also named former Torquay junior Lincoln Sertic for his debut among four changes.
In the final game of the round, Thomson meets Corio at Godfrey Street.
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