Winless Corio has suffered a further blow, with off-season acquisition Jim Botsaris to miss the remainder of the season.
Scans last week have confirmed that a knee injury suffered in the pre-season is a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The St Albans recruit played against Inverleigh in Round 2, but didn’t take to the field after half-time.
Devils co-coach Adam Bell says Botsaris also has damage to his medial collateral ligament.
“He got himself right and started running again, and then it went on him again in the second quarter against Inverleigh,” Bell said.
“His pressure and his goalkicking knowledge, it’s going to be a big loss for us.
“But we’ve got some boys here that can replace him.”
After trips to Inverleigh and Winchelsea, Corio returns home for a meeting with Geelong West.
Like the Devils, the Giants are also without a victory in 2026.
“The next few weeks for us are there are some big chances there,” Bell said. “But, it’s one week at a time.
“I know West will come out, and they’ll be thinking the same thing. So if we do everything right, we’ll be fine.”
In a further potential blow for the Devils, former coach Joel Bennett is likely to miss with soreness.
Inverleigh will be without recruit Zach Plant (knee) and Jarod Bacon (hamstring) for its meeting with Anakie at AA Semi-Trailers Oval.
Former Winchelsea stalwart Michael Bourdouvalis and Harvey Bauer have been recalled from the reserves.
Winchelsea has lost Ollie Mahncke to a shoulder injury, replaced by Tim Miles, ahead of its litmus test against East Geelong to round out four consecutive games at Eastern Reserve.
The Blues have named former Port Adelaide player Ryan Williams in their reserves team after he joined the club earlier this month.
Williams has played locally at St Joseph’s, Anglesea, and most recently at Modewarre.
The Eagles will debut St Joseph’s recruit Darcy Martin among three inclusions.
Matt Kasparian and Will Hough return from missing last week’s loss to North Geelong.
More to come
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