Central District lose ruckman Darcy Fort for six weeks

CENTRAL District’s testing challenge to qualify for the finals has been made even harder with the loss of a key component of its midfield.

Darcy Forty has stood tall for the Bulldogs this season. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

CENTRAL District’s hopes of scrambling into the finals have been dealt a massive setback after ruckman Darcy Fort was ruled out for six weeks due to a broken wrist.

While Fort has avoided surgery, he will wear a cast to protect the injury and is not expected to return to the Bulldogs until the penultimate minor round against Port Adelaide.

The Bulldogs conquered third-placed South Adelaide in Elizabeth on Saturday to be seventh on the ladder, two games plus percentage behind fifth-placed Sturt.

The Double Blues also have a game in hand so the Bulldogs’ imposing challenge to climb into the top five has been made even tougher with the loss of in-form Fort, who played in the state team against the WAFL in May.

“It’s a big loss for us, Darcy has been playing very well,” Bulldogs chief executive Kris Grant said. “But Jack Hannath came in against South and did a good job.

“With Darcy out for a while, this is a good chance for Jack.”

Hannath has been in the reserves for a few weeks and he thrived with the opportunity as Fort’s replacement, matching classy Panthers ruckman Keegan Brooksby in the hit outs as well as picking up plenty of disposals.

Norwood coach Jarrod Cotton could face a selection dilemma for the clash against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Sunday in the second weekend of the split round.

The Redlegs have won their past six games, but Cotton must decide what to do with players returning from injury and whether to alter a winning side.

Ben Jefferies has missed the past two games because of a knee problem and his name will be prominent at the selection table should he successfully negotiate training this week.

Veteran small forward Simon Phillips must also prove his fitness at training before being considered for a recall to the league side. Phillips resumed from a lay-off in the reserves against Glenelg last week and his hamstring was a little tight after the game.

“Ben got through a fair bit of stuff last week and if he gets through training this week we will weigh up what we do, do we make a change?” Cotton said.