Geelong have been dealt a huge injury blow with Joel Selwood to undergo ankle surgery which will sideline him until the AFL finals.
The Cats’ inspirational skipper was helped from Simonds Stadium in obvious pain in the second quarter of Friday night’s 16.11 (107) to 8.13 (61) loss to Sydney.
He was able to return in the second half but hurt the same ankle in a Lance Franklin tackle and was pulled from the game early in the final term.
Geelong on Sunday confirmed Selwood would go under the knife after suffering a syndesmosis injury on his left ankle.
“Selwood will not be available for the remaining three home and away games but is expected to be able to return for the finals series,” the Cats said in a statement.
Selwood was on crutches over the weekend but had expressed hope he could return for next Saturday’s big home clash with Richmond.
“(I’m) definitely hopeful, obviously non-weight bearing for the weekend and it’s amazing how they can come up,” Selwood said on Saturday morning.
Coach Chris Scott also gave an optimistic assessment of the injury immediately after the match.
“I’m actually confident enough to say now that he’ll be fine,” Scott told reporters.
“Clearly in the last quarter, the discussion was around whether we should keep pushing him through and make his chances of playing next week lower.
“So given that, we sit here pretty confident that he’ll be OK.”
The Cats will welcome back midfield superstar Patrick Dangerfield for their clash with the Tigers after he served a one-game suspension for a dangerous tackle on Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer.
But the loss of 29-year-old Selwood nonetheless comes at a bad time for the Cats, with games against Richmond, Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney ahead of them.
Selwood has played all but one game this season, averaging 26 disposals, five tackles and six clearances per outing.
jonboy
Guest
Ghecko Absolutely Right it's as simple as you say. There ls no need to even take a player to ground. just reading my old 1966 Rule book which Clearly states that when tackling a player if you carry him forward it's a free for in the back ,you must restrain his momentum. This rule hasn't been changed. So quite clearly Danger,Grundy and others are clearly at fault.
Cat
Roar Guru
Yes Sloane should have been pinging for holding the man. The injury to Blicavs is just bad luck though. Joel's initial ankle injury came from a marking contest. He landed on Zac Smiths foot when he came down. Again, just bad luck. Joel's second ankle injury of the evening was in a tackle, but again just bad luck his foot got caught in the wrong position (Also fair to question whether or not the injury would be nearly as bad if the first one didn't happen, probably shouldn't have been playing after the first one). You cannot legislate against bad luck. You cannot suspend because of bad luck. You cannot control bad luck. __it happens. Move on.
Gecko
Guest
Given the lack of clarity currently around the tackle, they should say any tackle that pins both arms and brings the player to the ground is illegal. Players should learn to just pin 1 arm (even if the tackled player still manages to get the ball to boot, it won't be an effective disposal so pinning 1 arm is sufficient) or to keep themselves upright if pinning both arms.
Bernard Hickey
Guest
First Biclav now Joel Selwood ankle injuries in tackles where force of tacklers bodies crashing down on legs caused severe injury. There have been others. Biclav tackle by Rory Sloane was also illegal to start with as Biclav just shepherding. These tackles are dangerous,intentional or at least reckless and high impact- could wreck a whole career and livelihood, and are sueable really. Players will always find a way to hurt other side if they can get away with it- this seems to be the current favourite Is the tackle count rising over the years- games seem to be almost all tackles. Technique is so devastating now that often tackled player so vulnerable The Pin one arm other with other arm around the body to cause illegal disposal even if no prior opportunity worked very well for Swans on the weekend and is a game changer Phew
Pat Clarey
Guest
Joel is such a warhorse, I'm so sorry this has happened to him. What I don't agree with is giving an injection to deal with pain when there could be more damage done. An interesting 3 games coming up, all future opponents having good wins.
Birdman
Guest
Dr Chris Scott? Mission accomplished
Mattyb
Guest
That's no good but they still have Dangerfield. If Hawkins gets suspended its been a very ordinary week for the Cats.