The Saints will not only be without star forward King (shoulder reconstruction) to start the season,but also mobile big man Jack Hayes (ACL) and 2020 first-round draftee Matt Allison (foot stress fracture). They previously trialled former Bomber Josh Eyre,but parted ways with him shortly after a hamstring setback.
Essendon,Fremantle,Geelong,Hawthorn,Melbourne,Richmond and Western Bulldogs still have a list vacancy ahead of the SSP deadline on Wednesday.
The Dockers have chosen to leave their spot open for the mid-season draft,informing candidates Liam Serong – brother of star Docker Caleb and untried Hawk Jai – and Sam Stubbs they would not be signed.
Injury setbacks at Tigers,Bombers
Essendon young gun Ben Hobbs has suffered a calf strain and will miss at least the Bombers’ first practice match on February 23 as the build-up to round one gathers steam.
Essendon midfielder Ben Hobbs’ pre-season is on hold due to a calf strain.Credit:Getty Images
The 19-year-old midfielder,who played 17 senior games in his debut season,was Essendon’s top pick in the 2021 draft and is one of the club’s most promising players.
The Bombers’ general manager of performance,Daniel McPherson,said an MRI scan confirmed Hobbs had a low-grade strain,which will sideline him for the next few weeks.
“Ben has completed a full pre-season up to this point,and we expect him to recover quickly,” McPherson said. “His calf has settled quickly and should only require a small de-load before he re-enters the program in the coming weeks.”
Matt Guelfi,who is also recovering from a calf strain,has resumed running but will also miss the practice match against Gold Coast. Reigning club champion Peter Wright (calf) and Jake Stringer (back) hope to be available.
Meanwhile,Richmond’s triple premiership-winning small forward Jason Castagna suffered what the Tigers have described as a “medium-term hamstring tear” in intraclub match simulation on Saturday. Castagna,who was already under increased pressure to retain his senior spot,is in serious doubt for Richmond’s traditional round one clash with Carlton on March 16.
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