When you consider the reality there are about as many players injured as there are currently available, you properly understand the injury epidemic at the Gold Coast SUNS.
Adam Saad and Rory Thompson have both been ruled out of the trip to Perth this weekend to face the West Coast Eagles, with their absence adding to a backline group already missing the suspended Steven May and the injured Nick Malceski.
Mature-aged rookie Saad suffered a minor hamstring strain against Adelaide on Saturday night, which won’t sideline him for an extended period. Whilst Thompson has battled a persistent hip complaint that will require rest and rehabilitation.
“Adam Saad unfortunately had a bit of an incident with his hamstring, so he’s been ruled unfit to play this week. It didn’t show much on the scans so we’re hopeful it will just be a week,” new GC SUNS High Performance Manager, Matthew Kennedy, told SUNS TV on Tuesday afternoon.
“Rory Thompson’s got a bit more of a definitive strain in his hip flexor so he’s been ruled unfit to play unfortunately. We’re hopeful that it’s not a long-term injury but it’s been creeping up on him for a little while so we’re hopeful its only a couple of weeks.”
Gold Coast spearhead Tom Lynch is facing a race against the clock to prove his fitness ahead of the trip across the country. Lynch suffered a deep calf cork but is confident of getting up for the clash against the Eagles at Domain Stadium.
“Tommy Lynch, he’s got a bit of a calf, but its more of a deep bleed in his calf - a bit of a calf cork,” Kennedy said.
“So we’re hopeful that he will train Thursday and be ruled fit to play in Perth. Tommy’s certainly under the impression that he will be right to go.”
Ball magnet Dion Prestia came off the ground early in the final quarter against the Crows with a minor concussion. Despite not returning to the field, Kennedy is confident the star midfielder will be declared fit to play this weekend.
“He copped a very heavy knock in the game on the weekend. So he’s just going to go through his concussion protocols. Probably no reason to believe that he won’t be ruled fit to play. He trained, did some light duties, did enough,” Kennedy said.
Malceski is still a couple of weeks off returning to full fitness as his rehabilitation program continues to ramp up. The All Australian defender has been plagued by a knee issue throughout the beginning of 2015 which severely impacted his impact on field.
“We’re really pleased with the way ‘Mal’ is progressing. He’s had a really heavy strength focus over the last couple of weeks. We’ve done some girth measurements on his quad and he’s responded really well,” Kennedy said.
“Mal’s obviously a real pro which helps, but he’s progressing really well and should be ruled fit to play in the next couple of weeks.”
Optomo Injury Report: Round Seven
The injury toll has continued to mount inside Metricon stadium with Adam Saad and Rory Thompson both ruled out this weekend.
