Latest news on injured/reported bluebaggers - Walker, Hampson, Stevens, Bentick and Murphy.Blues' Walker might miss 10
Michael Gleeson | March 11, 2008
FOR the second time in months, Andrew Walker is likely to have shoulder surgery this week, sidelining him for up to 10 weeks.
Walker could have surgery to tighten the shoulder as soon as tomorrow, a process that would leave him out for between eight and 10 weeks and that, in a best-case scenario, would have him back in the side by about round seven. Equally, it could cost him virtually half a season should the recovery labour.
The Blues also today are awaiting the match review panel's assessment of the match-day report of onballer Marc Murphy for front-on contact with Bulldog Mitch Hahn in Friday afternoon's practice match.
Murphy clearly collided with Hahn, who had his head over the ball, but it could be argued Hahn ran into Murphy as much as Murphy into Hahn.
The Blues are confident promising ruckman Shaun Hampson will be fit for round one despite having minor arthroscopic surgery on his knee on Saturday. Hampson pulled up sore from Friday's practice game and the decision was made to immediately clean up the knee.
A piece of floating bone had been catching in the knee when the ruckman jumped and, with a week off before the first game, it was decided he could have the procedure now and still potentially be fit by round one. He is expected to be back training next week.
Midfielder Adam Bentick, who has been hampered by an adductor strain, is expected to play his first practice game of the pre-season this weekend for the Bullants.
He may yet be joined by vice-captain Nick Stevens, with the club likely to apply to the AFL for permission for Stevens to play in the VFL practice games this weekend.
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