Glenelg’s Max Proud has surgery to repair cheekbone

GLENELG utility Max Proud has had surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone and will miss at least six weeks of action.

Glenelg’s Max Proud celebrates after he kicked a goal.

GLENELG utility Max Proud has had four plates inserted in his cheekbone to repair a fracture.

Proud damaged his cheekbone and eye socket in the second quarter of the loss to Norwood at The Parade on Friday night and was taken immediately to hospital.

He had surgery on Saturday and watched training on Monday night.

Tigers football manager Paul Sandercock said there was still uncertainty over when he would return to action.

“We’ve put him down as being out for six to eight weeks,” Sandercock said. “We’ve left him alone this week to rest up and recover.”

The injury to Proud means the Tigers will be forced to revamp their line-up for Saturday’s clash against West Adelaide at the Bay.

Norwood on-baller Mitch Grigg, back with the club after a stint with Adelaide, showed his worth to the side with a best-on-ground performance in the 31-point win.

Redlegs coach Jarrod Cotton described Grigg’s efforts as brilliant and said his second half was enormous for the club.

“He struggled a bit early but he was brilliant after that and his ability to hit the scoreboard is a bonus,” Cotton said.

“Mitch is in the leadership group and is growing as a leader. His training standards are elite, as is his kicking.

“I’ve been working with him to not try to bullet the ball.”

His efforts earned Grigg the honour of The Advertiser SANFL Player of the Week.

The Redlegs will be without Harrison Viney for the battle against unbeaten Woodville-West Torrens at The Parade tomorrow night after he was suspended for one game for rough conduct.

Redlegs captain Jace Bode was reprimanded and fined $200 for striking.