Eagles ruckman Marc Borholm out of second semi-final after breaking a foot
WOODVILLE-West Torrens has had a bad break as it prepares for the second semi-final with ruckman Marc Borholm certain to miss the battle against Norwood, and possibly the season. Sturt, meanwhile, is staying hopeful on one of its injured stars.
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WOODVILLE-West Torrens ruckman Marc Borholm’s season is almost certainly over after breaking a bone in his foot in the qualifying final win over Sturt at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Scans revealed the damage and Eagles coach Michael Godden will need to revamp his line-up for the clash against hot premiership favourite Norwood in the second semi-final.
His dilemma is whether to challenge the Redlegs and their imposing ruckman Sam Baulderstone with Jarrad Redden as the Eagles’ only recognised ruckman or bring in either Jordan West or Seb Guilhaus as support.
There is also the question of what to do with small forward Jake Johansen, missing from the Double Blues clash after hurting his calf against Central District in the final minor round.
“Jake has a minor grade one strain and he’ll need to complete all the training this week to be available,” Godden said. “Then we have to decide what to do because no one from the side on the weekend deserves to go out of the side.”
The Double Blues have not given up hope of having classy onballer James Battersby available for the first semi-final battle against North Adelaide in the first game of the double header at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Battersby hurt his shoulder in the third quarter and did not return to the game. He was in obvious pain on the bench when being treated and the arm was in a sling after the game.
Double Blues football manager Chris Trapp said Battersby’s magnet was still on the team board, but the extent of the damage won’t be known until he has scans.
“The initial diagnosis is a grade one AC joint,” Trapp said. “We are still hopeful he will be available.”
The Double Blues are also optimistic Aidan Riley will return to the midfield after being sidelined for the first week of the finals due to a slight hamstring issue.
The tough midfielder will be tested at training this week.
However, the club has already ruled out a return for key defender Fraser Evans, who missed the contest against the Eagles because of an ankle problem. If the Double Blues conquer the Roosters to advance to the preliminary final, Evans is likely to be back in the side.
Roosters veteran Leigh Ryswyk, who has announced his retirement from the SANFL, is battling to prove he has recovered from a rib injury which has kept him out of the past two games.