Reigning premier St Mary’s faces the prospect of being without co-captain Jack Blood until August after scans confirmed an adductor tear.
The premiership skipper had to be assisted from Anthony Costa Oval in the second quarter of last week’s win over South Barwon, and was in obvious distress when he left the ground.
It continues a frustrating year for Blood, who was playing just his fourth match of the season.
“We really managed him quite well last year and this year, even with some good management principles, it’s unfortunate he hasn’t had a good go,” co-coach Ben Boseley said.
“He wants to get out there and lead the troops. But unfortunately, at the minute, it’s been a bit of a challenge.
“But we’re hoping that he recovers well. Knowing Jack, he’ll do all the right things, and we hope that he can be back towards the end of the year.”
The Saints, who sit on top of the ladder unbeaten with a one-game break on next week’s opponent, Newtown & Chilwell, have made two changes for the Round 10 battle with Grovedale.
Bayley Cockerill, who is battling foot soreness, also won’t play, with Werribee-listed Josh Sanders and Jarryd Garner returning from injuries.
“‘Garns’ was likely last week, but we just decided to give him another week, another body of work at training,” Boseley said.
“And he’s pulled up really well, and he’s looking forward to playing tomorrow.”
Due to the quirky nature of the hastily redrawn fixture following Lara’s withdrawal during the pre-season, St Mary’s faces Grovedale for the second time in four rounds.
Last time, the Saints handed the Tigers a 136-point hiding.
However, with the expected inclusion of former AFL duo James Tsitas and Hugh Greenwood for Grovedale, Boseley is bracing for a sterner challenge this time around.
“We really rate Grovedale,” he said. “They,ve got some super players and they play a good system.
“We got the upper hand three weeks ago…. we’re expecting a much better Grovedale, and we’ve planned for that this week.
“‘Spoldo’ (coach Jacob Spolding) has done a great job over the last couple of years to build this team, and to their credit, they’re playing some good footy.”
In the absence of Blood and fellow co-captain Brayden Ham, Harry McMahon will have the honour of skippering the Saints.
Leopold (8th 3-6) will manage captain Mitch Burgess among three changes for its meeting with North Shore (11th 0-8) at Memorial Park.
Brad Pasque and Van Lunnon-Johnson are also out of the team that suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to St Joseph’s.
They’ve been replaced by the returning Tait Lunnon-Johnson, Anthony Tanner, who is making his first senior appearance since Round 11 last year, and debutant Ethan Cormack.
The Seagulls have rushed in the returning Jordan Purcell after he was cleared back to the club following a 23-game stint at GDFNL club North Geelong, where he featured in a premiership last year.
South Barwon (3rd 6-2) will be without emerging defender Tom Bartlett for an extended stint after scans during the week confirmed he has a broken arm.
He is one of three outs from last week’s loss to St Mary’s, with Jack Driver unavailable and Oscar Pollock omitted, ahead of the return clash with Bell Park (6th 4-4).
They’ve been replaced by Jonty Broughton, who missed the narrow defeat, Harry Cunningham and Chris Hughes.
For Cunningham, it’s his first senior outing of the season.
St Joseph’s (4th 6-3) will be without big man Ed McCoy as it chases its fifth consecutive win against St Albans (10th 1-7) at Plan Group Oval.
McCoy, who missed the opening month of the season with a broken leg suffered while on holiday in Japan, has a foot problem that the club believes isn’t serious.
Geelong Falcon Archer Chamberlain will make his debut, while Harry Muir has been recalled from the reserves for premiership defender Cal Mitchell’s 100th appearance for the club.
Tosh Lennon has been dropped.
The Supersaints have made two changes. Big man Matt McKenzie has returned to the WAFL, while Bailey Coutts has been dropped.
Brock McDonald returns after missing last week’s loss to Newtown & Chilwell, while Tom Caudullo has been promoted.
Geelong West has lost Flynn Eastmure, Tom Drennan and Daniel Cole to illness for its meeting with Colac at Australian Lamb Company Stadium.
However, talented youngster Will Nicholls and livewire Noah Aallen are among the inclusions for the Giants.
The Tigers will be without Darcy Lang (unavailable) and co-coach Seb Ross.
Newtown & Chilwell have the bye.
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