Spearhead Oscar Allen is one of a group of West Coast Eagles who will be put to the test in training this week before raising their arms for the trip to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Allen hyperextended his elbow during the RAC Derby, while premiership defender Tom Cole also appeared to be in pain and limping after accidentally kicking an opponent.
Both have been cleared of serious injuries and are hoping to take their place on the plane to Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Ryan Maric’s (calf) mid-season draft is a test and sick trio Brady Hough, Jack Petruccelle and Callum Jamieson are likely to play this weekend.
“Oscar’s scans are showing quite positive results that he is only compounding the injury he had before,” said physiotherapist Steve Allan. westcoasteagles.com.au.
“If he finishes training this weekend, he will be available for the weekend.
“Unfortunately Coley kicked an opposing player in the shin with an operated ankle. We switched it out to be careful because it happened quite late into the game.
“Fortunately, he has been training very well so if he is in full training at the weekend he will be available for the weekend.
“’Petch’, ‘Houghy’ and ‘Jamo’ were all late due to illness last week. They had the weekend off and were working through their illness, so if they trained all week, they would be available for selection.
“Ryan’s calf has recovered well. He had a little trouble going into last week’s game so he didn’t play.
“He’s ticked everything he needs with his running development, so if he trains at the end of the week he should be available to play this weekend.”
Retired captain Luke Shuey and champion defender Shannon Hurn will not be available to face the Dogs but were on target for a fitting round of 24 final against Adelaide before hanging up his boots.
“Shuey and Hurn are both recovering well from their respective injuries,” Allan said.
“Boots is back running and putting his pace markers on so he will train this weekend but we will aim to get him right for the final game against Adelaide.
“Similarly, with ‘Flower’ he developed very well with his Achilles. He still has a few more boxes to tick but if all goes to plan he will be available for that Adelaide match as well.”
Still, it’s been a season for the Eagles trio, with Dom Sheed (leg), Connor West (knee), and Coby Burgiel (hamstring) running out of time to make a comeback this year.
“Unfortunately Dom has put a strain on the bone in his leg and after further medical advice we will not be able to get him to start running this week, which will sadly keep him unavailable for the final game of the year,” Allan said.
“Connor West and Coby Burgiel have both progressed very well from their respective surgeries, Westy on the knee and Coby on the hamstring.
“They both got back into running, changed direction and did some practice with the group, but unfortunately time was not on our side.
“The goal is to try and get it right for the game at the end of the year. Time just ran out so they won’t be available for the last game of the year either.”
List of injuries:
Oscar Allen’s Elbow Test
Season Return of Tom Barras
Coby Burgiel Hamstring season
The Tom Cole Ankle Test
Jai Culley’s Knee Season
Harry Edwards Crotch Season
Reuben Ginbey Hamstring season
Brady Hough Disease Test
Shannon Hurn Achilles 1 week
Callum Jamieson’s Disease Test
Ryan Maric’s Calf Test
Nic Naitanui Achilles season
Petruccelle Jack Disease Test
Liam Ryan’s Hamstring season
Dom Sheed’s Leg Season
Luke Shuey Hamstring 1 week
Season of Jake Waterman’s Illness
Connor West Knee Season
#SJOG #Healthcare #Injury #Update
