Thomson is facing the prospect of being without Darcy Troop for a large chunk of the remainder of the home-and-away season after dislocating his shoulder in last week’s win over the Geelong West Giants.
The dynamic forward, who can also pinch-hit in the ruck, was booked for an MRI today (Friday) to find out the extent of the damage.
“It dislocated for a little bit and then popped back in,” coach Paul Lynch said.
He was still pretty sore on Tuesday night at training, so he definitely won’t play this week.
“And then we’ll wait and see what the sports doctor says and where it sits; whether he needs surgery or if he can rehab it to the back end of the season.”
Lynch concedes life without Troop, who is the reigning premier’s leading goalkicker for the season with 23 majors, won’t be easy, starting with a clash against ladder leader Belmont Lions at Winter Reserve tomorrow.
“He’s extremely important to us because he’s probably the best contested mark player in the comp in my opinion,” Lynch said.
“So to lose him is going to be a real big hole for us, especially against Belmont.
“I know the ground probably doesn’t suit as much for talls, but if there’s one thing they’re probably stretched at the moment, it’s their tall department.
“They’ve got a few injuries in that area as well, so it would have given us a bit of an advantage if Troop was playing.
“But we’ll just have to structure up around that.”
In better news for Thomson, former Lara star Dylan Jose returns after missing last week for personal reasons, while veteran forward Lucas Boyd is back from a calf issue.
Regan Kerslake is unavailable.
The previous meeting with the Lions was a wind-affected game at Godfrey Street, which the visitors won by 13 points.
“At the end of the day, it could have fallen either way, and it fell their way,” Lynch said.
“We match up pretty well against Belmont; we’ve always had pretty good games against them.
“It is a different kettle of fish when you play them at Belmont. They’re a lot better side there.
“Not many teams have managed to win over there in the last two or three years.”
“We’re going to put a bit of time into how we want to play and see if we can not get swallowed up by the ground.”
The fourth-placed Tigers hold an eight-point buffer on Inverleigh and Anakie, who sit sixth and seventh, respectively.
A win over the Lions would maintain that gap with five rounds remaining, as well as keeping the door open to snatch the double-chance thanks to North Geelong’s mid-season stumble.
However, a loss by Lynch’s men and victories for the Hawks against Bannockburn in the second week of the split round, and the Roos over the Giants tomorrow, would narrow that lead back to one game.
“We’ve probably scrambled pretty well the last four weeks; we’ve managed to come up with four straight wins,” he said.
“And then it only takes sides above you to drop a couple of games, and the window opens again.
“We’re not worried that if we don’t finish in the top three, obviously, on the back of last year.
“But we’d certainly love that double chance if we can sneak it.”
The Lions will be without injured duo David Van Allitt and Harry Thompson, with Riley Somers and Nelsom Primmer recalled from the reserves.
AT SELECTION – ROUND 13 (PART ONE)
Corio will welcome back playing coach Joel Bennett, and under-18 duo Hayden Taylor and Linkin Short will make their senior debuts in the clash with Winchelsea at Shell Reserve.
They replace reigning Whitley medallist Matt James, who is unavailable, as well as Hayden Burns and Isaiah Bigham.
Burns underwent surgery on a broken leg suffered in last week’s victory over Anakie.
While Bigham is in the concussion protocols.
The Blues have regained big man Mitch Thomas and Josh Freeman, who replace Ollie Mahncke and Michael Bourdouvalis.
Anakie will welcome back Luke Dahlhaus but will be without Jay Lever, among three changes, for its meeting with Geelong West.
Jordy Wilkinson and Mitch Gavin are also back for the Roos, while Matt Dettman and Steve Poynton join Lever in going out of the side upset by Corio last week.
The Giants welcome back Matt Sondergeld, Billy Higgins, Alex Buckwell, Sam Edwards, Will Kennedy and Mick Leamer.
They replace Nick Butters, Noah Craven-Briggs, Matthew Farrell, Kane Sewell, Nicholas Sanders, and Fraser Sertic.
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