Star Western Bulldog Bailey Smith is more likely to line up for his facet’s AFL blockbuster conflict with Essendon after beating the flu.
Midfielder Smith missed the Bulldogs’ slender loss to Sydney along with his sickness after struggling by way of their earlier contest towards Collingwood, managing simply 11 disposals.
Coach Luke Beveridge later passionately defended Smith’s outing towards the Magpies, stating he was sick throughout the lacklustre efficiency.
The Bulldogs stated on Monday Smith can be monitored at coaching forward of Friday evening’s contest, the place his seventh-ranked facet will battle eight-placed Essendon in a conflict with critical finals implications.
“Bailey Smith started to come down with some flu symptoms immediately following our round 17 game against the Pies,” Bulldogs sports activities drugs head Chris Bell stated.
“He had a really quiet week last week whilst he recovered, but in some good news he has improved and is re-energised … I am expecting him to return to availability.”
But younger defender Sam Darcy is about for an prolonged interval on the sidelines, struggling a corked quad within the Sydney loss that is brought on a bleed in his thigh.
Unlucky Darcy was taking part in his first AFL recreation since spherical two, having hung out out with lung and jaw accidents.
“In a marking contest at the end of the first quarter, he suffered a big blow to the outside part of his quad thigh muscle,” Bell stated.
“Sam has suffered extensive bleeding and swelling into his thigh and lower leg … we will manage Sam conservatively but do expect him to miss the next few games of footy.”
James O’Donnell and Lachie McNeil will each miss the Bombers recreation with concussion.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
