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AFL: Lions star Jarrod Berry’s shoulder injury won’t stop him playing finals football

The Brisbane Lions are breathing a sigh of relief after scans revealed that Jarrod Berry’s shoulder injury isn’t season-ending.

The Lions’ Jarrod Berry attempts to break away from the Gold Coast defence. Picture:by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)\
The Lions’ Jarrod Berry attempts to break away from the Gold Coast defence. Picture:by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)\

BRISBANE Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry is set for an AFL finals return after better than expected scan results on his injured shoulder.

Berry hurt his shoulder in the Lions’ 45-point defeat of the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba on Wednesday night, and there were fears he would miss the rest of the season.

However, while Berry will be sidelined for the Lions remaining two games of the regular season – against Sydney on Sunday in Cairns and against Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday week – he is set to be back for week one of the finals.

https://twitter.com/brisbanelions/status/1304238234264834051

“We’ve had that (shoulder) scanned and he should be good to go for finals,” Lions high performance manager Damien Austin said.

In other good news on the injury front for Lions, forward Lincoln McCarthy is a chance to take on the swans despite suffering a corked thigh.

“He played out the game – running around helped. He’s come in better than we thought. We’ll give him every chance possible (of playing against Sydney),” Austin said.

But in-form defender Brandon Starcevich is certain to miss Sunday’s match as he recovers a bout of concussion.

Starcevich’s replacement on Sunday is certain to be veteran Grant Birchall, who was rested on Wednesday night.

Former Adelaide Crow Cam Ellis-Yolmen could earn a recall with Berry sidelined.

If McCarthy is ruled out on Sunday, the Lions have the option of shifting the versatile Callum Ah Chee, which could open the door for Alex Witherden in the defence.

The Lions will leave Brisbane for Cairns on Saturday before returning home immediately after Sunday night’s game.

Originally published as AFL: Lions star Jarrod Berry’s shoulder injury won’t stop him playing finals football

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/afl-lions-star-jarrod-berrys-shoulder-injury-wont-stop-him-playing-finals-football/news-story/262666f8445bb8963207e77f351362dd