Eastern league: South Belgrave provides update on key forward Tim Smith following shoulder injury

The Saints have provided an update on its injured stars from the weekend – including ex-AFL Demon Tim Smith. LATEST HERE.

South Belgrave key forward Tim Smith left the field in the second term on Saturday with a shoulder injury. Picture: Davis Harrigan

South Belgrave coach Luke Galliott believes his club may have “dodged a bullet” on an injury to one of its star names, less than three weeks out from the Eastern league Division 2 finals.

Key forward Tim Smith left the field midway through the second quarter on Saturday with a shoulder injury in the clash with Heathmont.

He was met heavily in a marking contest at centre half-forward, which saw the ex-AFL Demon grounded for moments after the incident before exiting the field.

Galliott said while the boom recruit would miss this week’s match against Templestowe, the signs remained positive that the injury was not as bad as first feared.

Luke Galliott says the Saints may have “dodged a bullet” with Tim Smith’s shoulder injury. Picture: Davis Harrigan

A specialist appointment on Friday is expected to confirm the extent of the injury.

“At the moment it’s really positive – he (Smith) is talking about potentially playing against Mulgrave (in a fortnight),” Galliott said.

“I know for a fact that he was using a jackhammer at work yesterday, which is good news.

“We’ll know more Friday, for sure, but I think it’s pretty positive, and he sort of feels like it might’ve been a really bad sort of cork or stinger.”

Galliott said the incident “was just a freak thing” and “wasn’t anything malicious” on the Heathmont opponent’s part.

“He (Smith) was just on a hit-up lead, really. It (the ball) was going to hit him on the chest, and (an opponent) just got across in front of him, and put his arm out and whacked him right in that spot … he (Smith) almost ran into his elbow,” Galliott said.

The Saints will also wait and see on star veteran Leigh Odermatt playing this weekend, after he suffered a corked calf in Saturday’s match.

Leigh Odermatt is a wait and see prospect for playing this week according to Galliott. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Despite the injury toll and the loss to the Jets, the 2019 premiership coach said the group remained in high spirits.

The Saints sit in fourth position on the ladder with a 7-5 record, with the race for the finals heating up after Boronia (fifth) overcame a gallant Mulgrave on Saturday to keep its season alive.

But any challenger to South Belgrave’s hold on fourth spot may have a tough ask ahead, with the Saints holding the second-highest percentage in the division (160.17) – almost 47 per cent ahead of the Hawks (113.23).

The Division 2 finals series kicks off on August 21 with a two-week, top-four knockout system. The grand final will be played on August 28.

“The group’s pretty up and about anyway to be honest – they’re really bullish about what’s going on, even if Tim wasn’t available,” Galliott said.