Backs to wall task for injured Coast
GOLD Coast have been hit by another backline crisis with cocaptain Steven May and first replacement option Jack Leslie set for a period on the sidelines.
The Suns face a week of soul-searching after May hurt a hamstring during the first quarter of Saturday night’s 15.13 (103) to 13.10 (88) loss to Collingwood at Metricon Stadium.
Compounding the situation at the Suns was a seemingly bad ankle injury that flattened Leslie in the final quarter of the NEAFL curtain-raiser.
These injuries could leave the Suns’ stocks of tall key defenders in short supply heading in to Saturday’s Cairns clash with the Bulldogs.
Only Rory Thompson remains of the big three at the Suns defence.
Coach Rodney Eade has conceded the cupboard is pretty bare when it comes to finding suitable replacements.
“We have limited stocks,” Eade said.
“Keegan Brooksby is perhaps the only possible option at this stage.”
It was only two weeks ago that the Suns dropped Leslie back to the NEAFL as part of a team structure selection issue for the match against Sydney.
Ironically, last year the Suns lost May and Thompson at the same time which forced them to promote Leslie and now Collingwood-listed Henry Schade.
Eade said the Western Bulldogs do not normally have a lot of tall forwards but it will be a matter of wait and see heading into the weekend clash at Cazalys Stadium.
Football manager Marcus Ashcroft said Leslie had scans on Saturday and they came back clear which was good news.
On a brighter note the return of veteran midfielder Michael Rischitelli was one of the positives to emerge from Saturday night’s soggy clash.
The 31-year-old gave the all-clear yesterday after playing his first AFL match in a year after surgery to his right knee.
“I’m a little bit sore in general but the main thing was I got through and the knee felt OK,” Rischitelli said.
“But I know I need to get that match fitness back for what is required at AFL level.
“I thought my first half was all right but the second half I was just chasing a bit.
“Obviously I want to try to get more of the pill and do a lot more but for me I need to get more game time and get back into the pace of the game.
“I probably didn’t have the greatest of games but for me it was good just to get through.”
The fight of the Suns against the odds was also a positive, Richitelli said.
The Suns kicked the first two goals but when Collingwood put on five in a row, it seemed old habits returned.
“We stopped Collingwood’s run in second half and I think that’s what Rocket would be pretty happy about,” Rischitelli said.
“You never like to let sides kick five, six or so goals. In the past we would have probably have let that go, but we fought back and got in front.
“We realise it does happen but we also think we can match it with the best and we do match it with the best.”