Unbeaten North Geelong will be without experienced defender Paddy Cleary for at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on a broken finger earlier today (Friday).
Magpies coach Peter Riccardi says the former North Shore captain was set to be sidelined after reinjuring his hamstring, with a scan on his little finger revealing the break.
It’s hoped Cleary will return this side of the split round in mid-July.
‘It depends if it’s got a pin in it or not,” Riccardi said.
“Once you put a pin in it, you can’t do any running until the pin’s out. Yeah.
“Jordy (Purcell) did his early in the year – pre-season – and missed the first two rounds.
“But, once the pin’s out, you’ll probably need a couple of weeks of training, and we’ll assess it from there.”
Key forward Blake Miller is also sidelined as he awaits a further scan on a knee injury.
Riccardi is confident there is nothing serious that will show up.
“It was getting better and better as the week went on, but it’s a bit like Groundhog Day,” Riccardi said.
“The last couple of weeks, he’s got up for the game and he’s trained on Thursday night, trained strongly, and then little movement during the game or landing on his knees, it’s just flared up.
“He’s had his X-ray; there are no breaks or anything, so he’s going for an MRI next week.”
Damian Fazio (unavailable) will also miss the clash with Winchelsea at Eastern Reserve.
However, it’s opened the door for Juanito Ramos to play his first senior game since Round 13 last year, after 15 goals in six matches in the reserves to open this season.
“Juanito Ramos has been pretty stiff not to play already this year,” Riccardi said.
“But with him a three-pointer, we need a three-pointer to go out.”
The Magpies have also named Noah Bily and Cooper Pasque.
The Tigers will debut talented discus thrower Darcy Giddings and have recalled young big Ashton Phillips.
They replace injured pair Josh Kunjka (finger) and Tom Bath (hamstring).
Thomson will be without Billie Smedts for its match-up with Bannockburn at Godfrey Street.
The former Geelong and Carlton player is struggling with a back issue.
The City Tigers have also lost Will Bourke to a shoulder injury, but get back the experienced duo of Jordy Camm and Jamie Bach to strengthen their midfield.
East Geelong has been strengthened by the return of Jacob Sobey, Lachie Zimmer and Ben Crombie for its meeting with Inverleigh at Inverleigh Reserve.
They replace Lara recruit Galen Munari, who has been squeezed out due to points, Jude Payne and Bailey Payne.
The unbeaten Belmont Lions have made two changes for their clash with Geelong West at West Oval.
Corey Jarrad and Brad Michell replace Nick Sheriff (shoulder) and Jesse Stapleton (broken nose).
Bell Post Hill has been forced into three changes as it chases a spot inside the top five against Corio at Shell Reserve.
The Panthers have lost Daniel Banister (hamstring), Henry Verschuren (quad) and Clancy McKay (ankle) to injury, with their spots taken by Lachie Verschuren, Sam Harmer, and premiership big man Liam Meyrich.
Anakie has made three changes ahead of its clash with Werribee Centrals at Anakie Reserve.
Alex Gear, Kyle Eibl, and Robert Cannon replace Josh Mawson, Oscar Barter, and Michael Crossett
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