Josh Dunkley will miss the conflict with West Coast as his Brisbane Lions preserve a cautious eye on a vital two weeks past their match towards the AFL battlers.
Dunkley did not practice at Springfield on Tuesday and had his proper calf strapped in a compression garment.
The midfielder exited final Thursday’s win over Richmond after three quarters, saying post-game he thought he had corked his calf.
The Lions’ medical replace on Tuesday confirmed Dunkley might miss as much as two weeks, whereas small forwards Callum Ah Chee (concussion) and Lincoln McCarthy (suspended) can even miss Saturday’s date with the 1-14 Eagles.
Veterans Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich and Jack Gunston all skilled however aren’t any ensures of taking part in, the latter two in a coaching block and Zorko being managed after a string of soft-tissue accidents this yr.
Brisbane play Melbourne on the MCG and Geelong on the Gabba within the two weeks that observe the go to of the Eagles. They are more likely to want 5 wins from their remaining eight video games to safe a top-four berth.
At 11-4, the Lions are third and two wins behind the highest two of Collingwood and Port Adelaide (each 13-2).
“We’re previewing West Coast, we’re not looking at Melbourne at all,” Lions vice-captain Hugh McCluggage mentioned.
“But we understand that West Coast, Melbourne, Geelong (are) three games that can really either set our season up or put us back with a pack.
“So we perceive that that is a very necessary block of footy for us.
“We see the teams that win the premiership most years, they all start in different ways.
“But the frequent factor is that they construct the previous few rounds after which into the finals. So that is a very necessary factor to do.”
Brisbane have the cattle pushing for a chance, with Deven Robertson enjoying midfield time after Dunkley was substituted and Kai Lohmann a chance of returning to replace McCarthy.
Nakia Cockatoo and Tom Fullarton could also feature as they both near comebacks from hamstring injuries.
West Coast’s percentage improved to 49 after a tight loss to St Kilda last week that followed a 171-point belting from Sydney.
“Nothing adjustments for us,” McCluggage said of the Eagles’ plight.
“A whole lot of our gamers have been in that place earlier than … in 2017 we noticed it as a chance to knock them off, a chance to check your self towards the perfect.
“It’s exactly the position we were in.”
Western Bulldogs recruit Dunkley has proved a main midfield addition due to his defensive presence alongside ball-magnet Lachie Neale.
He has averaged 25.53 disposals, 6.73 tackles, 5.33 clearances and 13.47 contested possessions to this point this season.
“We’re hoping that he can get up but if he doesn’t, Dev Robertson played in the midfield when (Dunkley) went down in the last quarter and did some really nice things,” McCluggage mentioned.
“We’ve got lots of options playing in the VFL and lots of depth. You’re going to lose players, but hopefully we can cover that.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
