Swans three in pain
SOUTH Barwon and St Joseph’s are counting the cost of Wednesday’s Anzac Day clash, with four players under injury clouds.
South Barwon captain Darcy Hansen (shoulder), Brandon Verfurth (hip) and Jack Driver (hamstring) did not make it past halftime of the clash at McDonald Reserve, while Joeys defender Ben McNamara’s day was done even earlier after a blow to his AC joint.
In a positive sign, St Joseph’s does not believe the injury to the Werribee-VFL listed backman is too severe, with coach Heath Jamieson describing it as a “10-15 day injury”.
The news is not so positive in the Swans camp, however, with no time frame put on Hansen’s shoulder concern.
The first-year Swans skipper left the ground in distress minutes into the opening term after landing awkwardly tackling Joe Macula.
There was doubt as to whether there was a clean break in the shoulder.
An X-ray revealed no break, but further scans will show the severity of the injury, which could leave Hansen out for an extended period.
Former Joey Verfurth sustained possible bone bruising following a clash in the opening term that left him with a badly corked hip and South Barwon with two players on the bench.
This was reduced to one when Driver did not reappear after the main break following a hamstring strain.
South Barwon coach David Farrell lauded the courage of his injured chargers yet was left frustrated to suffer gameending injuries early in the clash, severely denting his side’s run in the 71-point loss.
“For sure, (it was) a challenge,” Farrell said.
“Both ( Hansen and Verfurth) tried really hard to get back on the ground and, to be honest, their character shone through there.
“They both weren’t capable of coming back on but tried to get up.”
South Barwon is hopeful star defender Jay Lever will play in the reserves side today, after dislocating his shoulder while playing with the Geelong VFL side last month.
“We’re not putting expectations on him, he’s missed a lot of footy,” Farrell said.
“So as soon as he’s right he’ll come back in.”
Lever may not be the only big name playing in the seconds, with St Joseph’s cocaptain Alex Hickey, brother James, VFL-listed Curtis McCarthy and James Allen all a chance to return from injury through the reserve grade.