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Australian Rules > Chapman out for Cats, Pies drop four
By Adam Cooper
June 25, 2010
Geelong will be denied the big-match presence of star half-forward Paul Chapman in Friday night's AFL grand final rematch against St Kilda through hamstring soreness.
By Adam Cooper
June 25, 2010
Geelong will be denied the big-match presence of star half-forward Paul Chapman in Friday night's AFL grand final rematch against St Kilda through hamstring soreness.
The Norm Smith medallist from last year's season decider, who is enjoying another great season, will miss the top-of-the-table clash at the MCG.
"He should only miss the one week but we will miss him," Cats football manager Neil Balme said on the club's website.
The reigning premier at least regained key forward Cameron Mooney and fullback Matthew Scarlett, both back from injury, but dropped midfielder Simon Hogan.
Collingwood made five changes for the other big game of the second weekend of the split round 13, against Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
Ruckman Josh Fraser and forward Paul Medhurst were the big-name casualties after the Magpies' draw with Melbourne on the Queen's Birthday holiday, while skipper Nick Maxwell did not recover from his calf injury.
Small forward Alan Didak, midfielder Luke Ball and half-back Ben Johnson have all overcome minor injuries and were named in the side, along with defender Tyson Goldsack for his first game this campaign and tall forward Chris Dawes.
Fraser was poised to play his 200th career game, but his dumping has cast fresh doubt on his future, as the 28-year-old had little impact in his past two games.
Fraser's failure to man up on Melbourne opponent Mark Jamar in the dying stages of the round-12 game was also crucial, as Jamar went forward and marked unopposed in the dying stages of the game and kicked a goal.
Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said that error was not raised at Thursday's selection meeting, but tipped Fraser to bounce back and regain his spot.
"He's been in this situation before and he's always fought back well and we expect him to do the same thing again," Walsh said.
"There were a lot of things to weigh up - recent form, the players coming back because Ball, Johnson and Didak are automatic selections and Chris Dawes has been in great form in the VFL, so it's probably had an impact on a few of the (dropped) boys."
Walsh said Fraser and Medhurst, goalless in his past two games, had suffered through a lack of continuity this season through injury problems.
Collingwood also dropped youngsters Brent Macaffer and Jaxson Barham.
St Kilda will also be without a player through injury, as half-back Raph Clarke - who could have guarded Chapman - will also miss through a hamstring injury.
Clarke was replaced by youngster Jack Steven.
Sydney recalled key forward Daniel Bradshaw and defender Rhyce Shaw, a former Magpie, from injury and dropped youngsters Patrick Veszpremi and Gary Rohan.
Adelaide and Melbourne named expanded squads for Sunday's game at AAMI Stadium.
But the Crows will be without defender Nathan Bock (groin), and Melbourne could not consider skipper James McDonald (hamstring) or utility Colin Sylvia (toe), who remain sidelined through injury.
The Demons also dropped first-year player Jordan Gysberts, who was quiet against Collingwood.