A syndesmosis injury suffered by Osca Riccardi before the interleague break is likely to sideline the North Geelong star until the closing stages of the GDFNL home-and-away season.
Riccardi was forced from the ground early in the third quarter of the Round 8 win over Corio on May 30.
After having his ankle re-strapped, the former Geelong rookie completed some run-throughs and returned to the field only to suffer further damage when he went to change direction.
“He’s four weeks into his rehab,” father and Magpies co-coach Peter Riccardi said.
“He’s been in a moon boot for that long… and he’s out of his moon boot this week; it looks like he’s walking around okay.
“But it’s an 8-10-week injury, minimum.
“Best-case scenario for us would be two weeks before the finals start, (and) worst-case is season done.
“We’ve just got to play it by ear.”
Riccardi’s been joined in the medical room at Keith Barclay Oval by Charlie Smith, who sustained damage to his meniscus and medial ligament in the weekend win over Anakie, with scans to confirm how long he will be out.
And Damien Fazio is likely to be sidelined for a fortnight due to a lower-leg issue.
With Jack Cambridge unavailable and Jacsen Jewell suspended, the Magpies, who sit second on the ladder, will be forced into four changes for their battle with third-placed Winchelsea.
The Blues, who will celebrate their 150th anniversary on the weekend, are well-placed to feature in finals for the first time in 12 years following four consecutive wins.
“They’re playing really good footy at the minute,” Riccardi said.
“We’re second and third, so it’s going to be one of those ‘eight-point games’.”
The clash with Winchelsea marks the start of a challenging month for North Geelong.
After the Blues, they face fellow finals contenders Bannockburn and ladder leader Werribee Centrals, either side of a meeting with the struggling Thomson.
Following the Centurions, the Magpies battle the Belmont Lions, Bell Post Hill, East Geelong, and Inverleigh to round out the home-and-away season.
“We’re playing pretty much the top five or six sides on the way home to the finals,” Riccardi said.
“And if we’re going to play finals, we’ve got to win. Simple as that.”
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