GEELONG Falcons will be without captain Jhye Clark and highly-rated midfielder Ted Clohesy for their clash with the GWV Rebels to open Round 3 of the NAB League Boys season on Thursday night.
After being reported for a sling tackle, Clark, touted as a first-round AFL draft selection this year, accepted a two-match suspension with an early plea from last week’s draw with the Bendigo Pioneers.
He will also miss the trip to Darwin to play the Northern Territory before returning for the meeting with Dandenong Stingrays in Round 5.
Clohesy, who, like Clark, is a member of the Vic Country Academy, suffered damage to his medial ligament in the last quarter against the Pioneers and is facing at least four weeks on the sidelines.
“Someone fell across the knee,” coach Paul Corrigan. “He’s had scans, and it’s a medial strain.
“We think, from the scans, it’s a grade two, so it could be 4-6 weeks.
“It’s not ideal, but he’ll get over it quick smart and be back pretty soon.”
The Falcons will also be without Harry Wall after being forced from the ground with an ankle issue.
Corrigan said he was still waiting for the results of scans to find out the seriousness of the damage.
“We’re waiting to hear whether it’s a syndesmosis-type injury or ligament damage,” Corrigan said.
The absence of Clark, Clohesy and Wall has opened the door for two debutants.
Grovedale’s Ethan Borys and Torquay’s Patrick Hughes will represent the Falcons for the first time.
Hughes had been in line for a senior debut for the BFL club on Good Friday.
“His form’s been pretty good in the under-18s early in the season, and we’ve taken that into account, too,” Corrigan said.
“With Jhye and Ted going out, he fits that mould really well for us.”
The Falcons will take two squads up the Midland Highway, with the Futures team in a curtain-raiser at 5pm.
NAB LEAGUE BOYS ROUND 3
GWV REBELS (4th) vs. GEELONG FALCONS (5th)
C.E. Brown Reserve – Wendouree
Thursday, April 14, 7:00pm
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