Hawthorn Hawks’ Josh Weddle out with back stress injury; Collingwood Magpies star Jordan De Goey concussed at training
Hawthorn are currently in fifth place and pushing for a top-four double chance. In the next month they will play St Kilda followed by Fremantle in Perth, Port Adelaide in Tasmania then Carlton, with the Hawks favoured to win at least three if not all four games.
Their final month, for which they would hope to have Weddle back at some point, is more difficult: Adelaide in Adelaide, Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG, before Brisbane at the Gabba in the final round.
De Goey concussed at training in fresh injury blow
AAP
Injured Collingwood star Jordan De Goey suffered a concussion at training on Tuesday, dealing a fresh blow to his long-awaited AFL comeback.
De Goey was going to pick up a ball during a training drill when he suffered the head knock.
Jordan De Goey has had an injury setback.Credit: Getty Images
Vision from Seven shows Brayden Maynard accidentally making contact with De Goey, who looked groggy immediately afterwards.
“Jordy got a concussion in the ‘fundamentals’ [training drills], so he left the track,” coach Craig McRae said of the innocuous incident.
“It’s a sad week for Jordy, he’s just starting to get there and he’s obviously going to be in the [concussion] protocols for 10-14 days.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae.Credit: AFL Photos
De Goey has only managed five games this season and has not played since round eight because of an Achilles injury.
The Magpies are taking their time with him, hoping the dangerous midfielder-forward will be ready for the finals.
Tuesday was supposed to be a full training session for De Goey.
At his best, he is one of the league’s most dangerous players.
But since playing a key role in Collingwood’s 2023 premiership, a succession of injuries have restricted him to 13 senior games last season and now this year’s interrupted campaign.
Maynard, who has had a foot injury, will play for the first time since round 12 in Friday night’s game against fierce rivals Carlton.
The Magpies are two and a half games clear at the top of the ladder, while the Blues are in crisis with their season in freefall.
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