Victorious Roosters lose vice-captain, skipper in doubt
IF the uncertainty about its spot in Sunday’s grand final isn’t enough, North Adelaide is sweating on the fitness of captain Max Thring and making plans without vice-captain Alex Spina after the pair failed to finish the Roosters’ incredible prelim victory.
NORTH Adelaide vice-captain Alex Spina will miss the grand final clash against Norwood at Adelaide Oval on Sunday if the league ticks off on its preliminary final win and captain Max Thring is in serious doubt after the pair failed to finish the controversial game.
Spina left the game against Woodville-West Torrens in the third quarter holding his shoulder after a heavy bump from Eagle Matt Goldsworthy and coach Josh Carr said it was almost certain he had a broken collarbone.
Thring limped out of the contest in the final quarter due to a calf injury and Carr said he would be given every chance to prove his fitness as the Roosters chase their first flag since 1991.
It is a worrying blow for Thring considering he missed the final three rounds with the same issue.
“Max was cramping a bit so it may be just cramp,” Carr said. “We will give him up until the last minute to prove his fitness, it is like that every week with Max.
“Alex has had an outstanding finals series and it is really disappointing to not have him with is for the grand final.”
Should the league keep the result, it will mark an incredible climb into the grand final for the Roosters after they finished with the wooden spoon last year with just four wins.
“As a coach we all have egos so I’d like to think I could turn things around quickly,” said Carr, who is in the third year of his stint with the Roosters but being a premiership player with Port Adelaide.
“The first two years were tough. Norwood will be confident, but we have momentum. It will be a good game.”
