St Joseph’s will be without midfield bull James Hickey until late in the home-and-away season after suffering a serious ankle injury in last week’s win over Bell Park.
The two-time premiership player, who is averaging 18.9 disposals (9.1 contested) and 5.1 clearances, has avoided surgery but is still facing at least six weeks on the sidelines.
“He’s done a pretty fair job tweaking his ankle, and there are lots of fancy words around the diagnosis, which I can’t explain,” coach Ron Watt said.
“He’s a six-or eight-week injury… It’s quite a nasty sprain.”
The ladder leader will also go into today’s meeting without Lewis Antonac (hamstring), Caleb Foster (omitted) and James Hose.
Hose, who joined Joeys from Bannockburn, where he was GDFNL Rookie of the Year in 2023, made his VFL debut for Sydney yesterday.
The Geelong Falcons graduate had three disposals and laid eight tackles in the Swans’ 14-point loss.
“He’s come into our team, and it feels like he’s been playing with us for three years.
“He’s just such a mature kid, and he’s been embraced by the other boys, and they just love the way he plays.
“He works pretty hard at his game, and it is great to see him get an opportunity.”
St Joseph’s will welcome back Jack Mullen and Geelong VFL-listed Joey Chaplin from extended injury layoffs.
While Liam Kershaw, who made his VFL debut for Werribee last week, and Felix Henderson will also take on the Tigers.
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