Bell Park will be without defender Ed Boyer for the remainder of this season and a large chunk of next year after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in last week’s win over Lara.
Scans have confirmed the Dragons’ worst fears following what coach James Saker labelled an “innocuous incident” during the 39-point victory at Bisinella Oval.
“It’s very disappointing for Ed and for us,” Saker said.
“I think he shielded the ball out bounds, landed a bit awkwardly, got a bit of a nudge, and the knee gave way.
“We found out Tuesday that it was an ACL.”
“It’s really disappointing for him. He was just getting some continuity for us.
“He’s one of the first names on the board every week to lock down an important forward for the opposition.”
The absence of Boyer, who is in his second season at Hamlyn Park, has opened the door for the return of off-season acquisition Mitch Mahady to help combat South Barwon duo Matt Caldow and Fraser Fort this weekend.
Injury has restricted the St Bernard’s recruit to just five games at senior level, with his last appearance against St Mary’s in Round 11.
“He’ll come in and play an important role,” Saker said.
“He’ll be straight into the fire against a couple of the big forwards in the comp, but that’s why we recruited him.
“He’s had a bit of a chequered season with some injuries and whatnot.
“But, he’ll take the field, and we’ve got full confidence he can play a role for us.”
A Bell Park win over the Swans will guarantee the Dragons a first finals berth since 2017.
“We had a good chat (Tuesday) before training about both groups (seniors and reserves) being in the mix for where we wanted to be at the start of the year,” told the Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“And it’s exciting that (our) destiny’s pretty much in our own hands.
“It’s a good time to be at Bell Park, and we’re looking forward to the week ahead.”
Bell Park has also lost Willson Mack (foot) and Jack McMahon (quad).
Joining Mahady in earning a call-up are Cooper Edwards and Lucas Stefanovski for their first senior games of the year.
South Barwon has dropped an experienced player for the second week in a row.
A week after dropping Jonty Broughton, the Swans have sent Kelly O’Neil back to the reserves for the first time since 2021, among three changes.
Broughton returns, Todd White’s back from VFL duty, and Dustin Burns has been recalled from the reserves.
The luckless Will Sexton will be missing after a tattoo on his leg got infected and Zac Urquhart’s been dropped.
Colac has made five changes for its clash with St Mary’s at Central Reserve.
Zach Zdybel, Jarrod Walters, Aaron Walters and Chaise Murray return after missing last week’s big win over St Albans.
Ollie Butler has been recalled for his first senior game since Round 3.
The Tigers have lost Max Buchanan (knee) and omitted Rani Jamieson, Darcy Howard, Joshua McDonald, and Josh Garner.
The Saints, who will begin a month without star forward Sam Dobson (collarbone), are also without young gun Michael Rudd.
The former Geelong Falcons will make his VFL debut for Carlton.
Chris Jansen and Hamish Bourke are their replacements.
Dobson was tonight (Friday) unveiled as co coach of Hampden League club Koroit.
Lachie Simpkin will make his 200th appearance for the Tigers, with two-time Mathieson medallist Harry Benson featuring in game 100 for the Saints.
Leopold has named debutant Anthony Tanner among three changes for its meeting with St Albans at Concept Oval.
A product of the club’s junior program, Tanner has made 31 reserve-grade appearances, including last year’s grand final loss to St Mary’s.
The Lions welcome back big man Kyle Bumpstead after he was a late out from the win over South Barwon, and Billy Clark has been recalled from the reserves.
They replace the managed trio of Andrew Pepper, Sam Scott and Connor Giddings.
The Supersaints have made four changes, welcoming back Ethan Guida, Hayden Elliott, Nathan Pearson, and captain Jacob Russell.
They replace the omitted Lachie Gough, Jack Bumpstead, Campbell Sunderland, and Nathan Waterson.
Grovedale has been forced into three changes to the team that narrowly lost to Newtown & Chilwell on the opening weekend of the split round for its meeting with the unbeaten St Joseph’s at Drew Oval.
Another concussion has ended the season of Will Jeffrey, while Tom Wisken (hamstring) and Mitch Fisher (knee) are also sidelined.
Joe McCarthy, Bryson Nicholls, and Sam Radcliffe have been recalled from the reserves.
Joeys will welcome back overseas travellers Oscar Morrison and Jack Leonard, among four changes.
Hunter Lewis is back from injury, and Finn McCombe has been recalled from the reserves.
Morrison last played in the win over Grovedale in Round 9, while Leonard’s most recent senior appearance was the thrilling victory against St Mary’s in Round 7.
Ankle injuries suffered against Geelong West will sideline Joel Edwards and Felix Henderson, while a month on the sidelines with a knee injury starts for Liam Kershaw.
Ryan Connolly has been omitted.
North Shore will unveil a debutant among three changes for its meeting with Newtown & Chilwell at Windsor Park.
Former South Barwon junior Lachie Vivian has been called into the senior team after five appearances in the Seagulls reserves.
Daniel McDonough and veteran Aaron Seller return to the team, with Michael Kavenagh, Ryan Wentworth, and Travis Green.
The Eagles have lodged an unchanged team from the one that defeated Grovedale in Round 15.
Geelong West will welcome back Lachie Handley, Jamieson Ballantyne and Bradley Wood but has lost Tanner Lovell to Geelong VFL duty and Tanner Lewis to injury for its Sunday meeting with Lara at West Oval.
Kade Lovell and Blake Carroll have also been included in the squad.
The Giants have omitted Tom Drennan.
The Cats have named Riley Evans on an extended bench.
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