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The Roar

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'Dogs captain to miss a month of AFL

2nd July, 2013
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The Western Bulldogs’ tough AFL season continues, with captain Matthew Boyd out of action for up to a month because of a fractured cheekbone.

Boyd had surgery on Monday night after a head clash during Saturday night’s narrow loss to Melbourne.

“He required minor surgery last night which has gone well … we expect him to miss three to four weeks,” said Bulldogs medical services manager Andrew McKenzie.

The bad injury news also continues for top side Hawthorn, who will be without Liam Shiels and Xavier Ellis for the Saturday night blockbuster against Geelong.

Shiels is out for two to four weeks with an ankle injury and Ellis faces an indefinite spell out of the team.

Ellis, who has only played 16 senior games since the start of 2011, suffered a calf injury in the weekend’s win over Brisbane.

But there is some good news for the Hawks.

Key defender Josh Gibson will play against the Cats after hurting his neck in an ugly fall during the Lions match.

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Star utility Cyril Rioli will return from his hamstring injury in either the AFL or VFL.

Paul Puopolo (quad), Max Bailey (knee) and Brent Guerra (back) are also available for selection after recovering from their injuries.

Rioli is among several big AFL names set to return from long-term injuries this weekend.

Collingwood’s reigning best-and-fairest winner Dayne Beams (leg) and utility Tyson Goldsack (hip) will play in the VFL.

Cats utility Travis Varcoe could play in the VFL after recovering from shoulder surgery.

Like Beams, Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) is yet to play in the AFL this season.

But he will definitely return in the WAFL or AFL.

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“I’ve been told I’ll come back in some form this weekend,” Sandilands said.

Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich, David Mundy and Michael Barlow are also nearing returns to the senior team.

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