Elliott blow to Magpies
COLLINGWOOD has suffered a blow to its scoring capabilities, with forward Jamie Elliott ruled out of tomorrow’s clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium.
Elliott failed to train with his teammates at yesterday’s main session at Olympic Park, staying indoors to receive treatment for what the club initially described as “general soreness”.
But Magpies director of football, Neil Balme, revealed last night Elliott had a “stress reaction” in his back and could be sidelined for two games.
“Billy has hurt his back, it’s a stress reaction. I don’t think it’s too bad but he will certainly miss this week (and) maybe another one,” Balme told the club’s website.
“We will be able to assess it during the next week to see how bad it is.
“We’re not that concerned about it but he will certainly miss one.”
Midfield recruit Levi Greenwood will make his debut for the Magpies after overcoming a fractured tibia in the pre-season.
Greenwood was one of four inclusions for the Magpies, who also named Marley Williams, Paul Seedsman and Ben Kennedy in their team to face the second-placed Eagles.
Elliott has kicked 28 goals for the Magpies this season, but in the past four matches, he has managed just four majors.
He was joined on the sidelines by Tim Broomhead (shoulder) and Taylor Adams (suspended), while teenager Darcy Moore was omitted.
Broomhead is set to miss six weeks with a cracked shoulder, while Adams is out for the next two games after he was suspended for kneeing Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff.
Greenwood, who crossed from North Melbourne during last year’s trade period, has worked his way back to match fitness with three games in the VFL. “He’s a terrific player and he had a great year last year with North and we were really pleased to get him,’’ Balme said.
“Who’d have thought we’d have to wait until Round 16 to see him? It’s been disappointing and taken him a long time, but he’s played very well in the last couple of games in the VFL.
“We’ve been waiting for him to come in, it’s very exciting.’’
The Eagles named an unchanged line-up for the match.