Star Pie facing time on sideline
AFLW COLLINGWOOD debutant Kate Sheahan faces a nervous wait ahead of scans on Monday to determine the extent of her knee injury.
While the Magpies celebrated their first AFLW win at Whitten Oval on Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs, Sheahan emerged as the heartbreak story after badly injuring her knee in the second quarter.
After the high of earning her call-up to the team, Sheahan was carried off the field by medical staff in tears after her knee buckled underneath her when she went to sidestep an opponent on the wing.
Collingwood women’s coach Wayne Siekman did not want to speculate on the severity of 35-year-old Sheahan’s injury after the match as he sweats on updates.
“She’ll go for scans on Monday ... fingers crossed it’s not the worst case for Kate,’’ Siekman said.
“Kate was so excited when she got the news (that she was playing).
“When it was announced she was playing on the bus, she was in tears. The whole group of players got around her and nearly jumped on her because they were so excited for her to get the opportunity.”
After their breakthrough win, the Magpies now travel west to take on the Dockers in a double-header with the men’s AFL team at Rushton Park on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves said the club was giving captain and marquee player Katie Brennan every chance to get back on the field after she missed a second week with an injured ankle.
“We gave her every chance ... we had a bit of a crack at it and we have to have a crack at it — we want one of our two marquee players out there playing,’’ Groves said.
“(It’s a) short season, she is going along for the ride on that. We’ll keep doing everything we can to get her out there.
“It’s going to get better, it’s sore, the medical team are all over it and know what they are doing, so we are just treating it as it is.’’
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost
GOLD Coast have overcome a slow start against an undermanned Essendon to remain unbeaten in the AFL pre-season with a three-point win in hot conditions at Harrup Park.
The Bombers were without captain Dyson Heppell, vicecaptain Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis, Mark Baguley, Orazio Fantasia, Patrick Ambrose, James Kelly, Matt Dea and David Myers but still managed to push the Suns all the way before going down 0.12.7 (79) to 0.12.4 (76).
Adding insult to injury for the Bombers was star defender Michael Hurley hurting his right foot late in the fourth quarter. He took no further part in the game. Gold Coast themselves were missing Gary Ablett, Tom Lynch, Jarrod Harbrow, Jarrod Witts, Aaron Hall and Matt Rosa.
The inefficient Suns’ sheer dominance of disposals (407-350), clearances (36-26), inside 50s (59-40) and contested possessions (153-116) ultimately tipped the contest in their favour.
Alex Sexton was the standout for the victors with 25 touches and two goals, while Michael Barlow (31 possessions), Steven May, Will Brodie, Touk Miller and Pearce Hanley also shone.
Essendon youngster Josh Begley was a revelation in attack, booting four goals and setting up a few others.