East Geelong veteran Jack Beardsell says he will be “hoping for a miracle” to play again this year after scans confirmed that the injury he sustained early in last week’s loss to Bell Post Hill is a broken leg.
The versatile 32-year-old has also damaged ligaments in his ankle, and while he has avoided surgery, Beardsell is expecting to spend 9-12 weeks on the sidelines.
He’s described the incident as “a little bit of a comedy of errors”.
“I went to tackle someone, and my foot got stuck in the mud and was starting to roll inwards,” Beardsell said.
“Then he came across me the other way, which jerked it back the other way. We got caught underneath and then it has broken the fibula straight through and ruptured the ligaments on the other side.
“It’s a real dog’s breakfast in there.”
Having played every game last year as East won through to the grand final and all but one match in 2026, Beardsell admits it’s disappointing not to be part of the Eagles’ chase for another finals berth.
“It’s going to be very big nine games coming up with how even the comp is,” he said.
“Having to sit around and watch is going to be very tough.
“Hopefully, we can get on a roll and win the next six or seven in a row, and then I can at least relax for the last month of the season.”
Despite turning 33 before the start of the 2027 season, the former St Albans and Modewarre player is planning to extend his career into next year.
“I was just looking at the stats from the weekend – it (the injury) was very early,” Beardsell said.
“I had one kick, which was a turnover, and I gave away two free kicks. So I actually finished in the negatives, which would be a pretty awful way to wrap things up.
“The plan would definitely be to come back unless things go wrong with this.
“Apart from this, everything else was feeling. really good and healthy… if this does turn into a three-to-six-month thing, I’ve got 10 months up my sleeve, which is probably enough time to make sure I’m good to go.”
Depending on other results this weekend, East (7th 5-4) could find itself two games adrift of fifth spot if it can’t overcome Thomson (10th 2-7).
“Matches against Thomson, regardless of ladder positions, are always close,” Beardsell said.
“They seem to be getting better and better every week as they kind of mix a lot of new players.”
Beardsell isn’t the only out for East (, with big man Matt Kasparian sidelined after suffering a workplace injury.
Austin Mulvahil and Lachie Zimmer return.
Thomson has lodged one change, with Ollie Cope replacing Harry Peacock.
Reigning premier North Geelong (2nd, 6-3) will have added incentive to maintain its second spot on the ladder when it hosts Anakie (9th, 3-6).
The clash with the Roos forms part of the Magpies’ 150th anniversary celebrations, which include a major function for more than 200 people on Sunday.
Premiership captain Zac Schwennesen returns for his first senior appearance since Round 4, replacing the luckless Jasper George.
In his first match back from a wrist injury that sidelined him for five matches, George suffered a concussion early in last week’s win over Geelong West and won’t be available again until Round 12 at the earliest.
Bannockburn (3rd, 6-3) and Winchelsea (5th, 6-3) have both made one change ahead of their Alan Woodman Cup clash at Victoria Park.
The Tigers welcome back star midfielder Jack Brauman but lose Tanner Sadler (calf soreness).
At the Blues, Damien Hewson replaces the unavailable Harry Nagle.
Werribee Centrals (1st 9-0) will start as warm favourites to match their best start to a GDFNL season in 16 years when it hosts Geelong West (12th 0-9) in a night clash at Symal Oval.
The Centurions won the opening ten matches of the 2010 season before going on to play in that year’s grand final – their most recent appearance in a senior decider.
Brandon Houlihan returns after missing last week’s win over Corio, replacing former Lara player Jake Marshall, who made his debut against the Devils.
The winless Giants have made five forced changes.
Riley Seresi-Unsworth, Justin Carey and Daniel Craven are all unavailable, while Kyden McCaughan and Liam Treacy are injured.
Among the inclusions is debutant Will Charles from West’s under-18 program.
The match will also be significant as 2004 Centrals premiership player and former Geelong West-St Peter’s, St Joseph’s and Inverleigh star Paul Carson officiates as a central umpire at senior level for the first time.
More to come
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