VAFA 2018: Old Paradians skipper Chris Kandilakis to undergo concussion tests before returning from cheekbone fracture

SKIPPER Chris Kandilakis will have to pass concussion testing before returning to spearhead Old Paradians’ assault on a VAFA premiership.

Marcus Nolan of Old Paradians marks during the VAFA match between Old Paradians and Whitefriars played at Bundoora on Saturday 26th May, 2018.

SKIPPER Chris Kandilakis will have to pass concussion testing before returning to spearhead Old Paradians’ assault on a VAFA premiership.

Kandilakis has been sidelined since sustaining three cheekbone fractures during his team’s victory over Whitefriars in Round 8.

The Raiders captain is plotting a return against Emmaus St Leos this weekend as his side closes in on a double chance in Division 2.

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“Probably the biggest concern for me at the moment is concussion because I have had a fair few head knocks in the past few years,” he said.

“It’s more worrying, the head, rather than the bone injury.”

Kandilakis returned to training in recent weeks but has been awaiting clearance from doctors regarding possible concussion risks. He was injured when his head crashed into a teammate while tackling a Whitefriars opponent and has missed the past five matches.

“I had the operation a week after when the swelling went down,” he said.

“I ended up having about nine days off work. It was just things like icing every day and eating soft foods. I couldn’t really do too much.”

While Old Paradians’ success with several key players missing has been encouraging, it did little to ease Kandilakis’ desperation to return.

Marcus Nolan pulls down a big mark for Old Paradians against Whitefriars.

“It’s just the way I am,” he said.

“I just want to get out there and be a part of it. When they are winning, it’s still encouraging that we can win without some of our key players.”

The club hopes ex-Coburg player Keenan Posar, Matthew Luciani, Luke McCann and Matthew Mahony will be available for finals.

The Raiders have won a club-record 13 consecutive matches, including Saturday’s 10.14 (74) to 6.12 (48) victory over MHSOB, to sit clear of UHS-VU at the top of the ladder.

“I don’t think we have ever been looking like a surety for finals at this stage of the year,” Kandilakis said.

“Every year we have made the finals we have finished second, third or fourth.

“If we can secure the second chance it should hold us in good stead.”

Old Paradians take on Emmaus St Leos away in Round 14.