Bulldogs sweat on JJ’s fitness

THE Western Bulldogs may lose Jason Johannisen for their must-win clash against Adelaide after he suffered an ankle injury at training.

The running defender hurt his right ankle during the Bulldogs’ small group training at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday.

Sunday’s match is crucial to the Bulldogs’ diminishing finals chances.

Johannisen appeared to be in significant pain as he limped off the training track and was attended by Bulldogs staff.

He then was driven away from training but did not undergo scans on the injured ankle.

The 2016 Norm Smith medallist will be assessed by the Bulldogs over the next 24 to 48 hours as to whether he will miss any matches.

The Bulldogs are expecting to know more about his immediate availability on either Friday or Saturday ahead of the game on Sunday.

They will be without key defender Zaine Cordy, who picked up a chest muscle injury at training earlier this week.

Lewis Young and Jackson Trengove are in the mix to return, as is Lachie Hunter, who has been absent for personal reasons.

Meanwhile, Melbourne could be without superstar ruckman Max Gawn when the Demons attempt to claim their biggest scalp of the season in Saturday’s clash against Collingwood.

Gawn, 28, missed the big win over North Melbourne on Sunday with a PCL injury and could remain sidelined for another week.

The Demons’ captain hurt his knee late in the win over Adelaide and will wait until Thursday to make a call on his fitness to take on powerhouse Magpie Brodie Grundy.

And in a major blow at Moorabbin, St Kilda has lost slick midfielder Jade Gresham to a possible season-ending back injury.

Gresham, who could be forced to return home to Melbourne, has a stress fracture in his back and will be re-assessed in six weeks.

Chief operating officer Simon Lethlean confirmed Gresham would be out for “an extended period”.