NEWTOWN & Chilwell’s weekend loss to St Albans has not only proved costly when it comes to determining ladder position.
The Eagles, who now sit a game outside the GFL top five, have confirmed Bill Laurie (broken ankle) and Jarrod McCorkell (achilles/calf) will miss the rest of the season, while Nathan Braddock (AC joint) needs the club to reach the finals to play again in 201
It takes to 23 the number of players either injured of unavailable at Elderslie Reserve, forcing coach Damien Christensen to use 46 players.
St Mary’s (44), Geelong West-St Peter’s and St Joseph’s (both 40) are the only other clubs to have 40 or more players run out 2pm this year.
Laurie’s break occurred when a Supersaint fell across his leg.
“Eight weeks in plaster,” Christensen said of Laurie’s break.
“The (Geelong) VFL are keen for him to do a pre-season there, so once that gets on the mend – and hopefully it mends properly – he can do a good pre-season.”
Christensen says McCorkell had been managing an Achilles problem for several weeks.
“He had an injection last week in the Achilles, now he’s strained a calf,” Christensen said.
“So it’s, I’d imagine, going to be season-ending.”
Christensen is hopeful veteran Braddock could play some football again in 2016 if the Eagles can reach a third consecutive finals series.
“It was courageous from Nath. He really put his body on the line,” Christensen said.
“Nathan was unable to go back on for pretty much the second half, which it really hurts us.
“He may struggle to get back up.”
The trio joins the likes of captain Dan Feery, Paul Hinkley, Tim O’Keefe, Ash McCorkell, Jacob Bruhn, Bevan Shelley, Luke Forbes, Lewy Hyland, Jordan Crerar, Jake Anderson, Hayden Forbes, and Luke Kermond on the sidelines, while Timm House is back with the Cats’ VFL team.
Twitter: @tom_king79
Last Modified on 04/08/2016 09:21