Key Swans duo ruled out as Kangaroos test awaits
Shayne Hope |
AFL ladder-leaders Sydney will be without Charlie Curnow for the clash with North Melbourne after the high-profile spearhead was ruled out with an abdominal injury.
The Swans are hopeful one week on the sidelines will be enough for Curnow to recover, eyeing a huge home clash with Collingwood in round 10.
But Curnow and in-form defender Jai Serong (hamstring tightness) will both be absent against the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
“They were sore at the start of the week and we’ve worked our way through the best way to manage them, and they’re injured and not available,” Swans coach Dean Cox said.
“They’ll both be very short-term. That’s what we know. If it’s just this week, hopefully that’s the case, but we expect them hopefully back next week.”
Cox said ruck star Brodie Grundy had pulled up “really well” this week after battling soreness and will feature against North Melbourne.
Peter Ladhams is a chance to be called up as support for Grundy against physical Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri.
“For our playing group, we’re going full steam ahead at North Melbourne,” Cox said.
“(Grundy) is really keen to play … so we’re looking forward to him getting there and then the discussion will come around Pete Ladhams as well, or Hayden McLean for Charlie (Curnow).”
Collingwood ruckman Darcy Cameron is set to play against Geelong on Saturday night after overcoming an ankle injury.
In a further boost for the Magpies, Jeremy Howe and Beau McCreery will return alongside Scott Pendlebury, who is set to equal retired North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey’s AFL record of 432 games.
Gold Coast will be without Brownlow Medal winner Matt Rowell (ankle) for their clash with St Kilda in Darwin on Saturday night.
AAP