Health concerns rule out Carlton AFLW coach Damien Keeping for another week

DAMIEN Keeping will not coach Carlton for a second week as he recovers from a mystery health condition.

Carlton AFLW coach Damien Keeping.

DAMIEN Keeping will not coach Carlton for a second week.

The Blues’ women’s coach has been sidelined with a mystery condition since he was hospitalised in the days following Carlton’s opening-round win over Collingwood, with assistant coach Nick Rutley coaching the women against Greater Western Sydney.

Rutley will again take the reins against Brisbane on Saturday night.

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Keeping, 45, was taken to hospital on the Sunday night of Round 1 with a low platelet count and remained there for several days undergoing tests. But the cause of the condition remains unknown.

“As far as we know, he’s doing really well. He’s out of hospital, just resting at home,” Blues ruck Alison Downie said today.

“He’s trying to get to the club, but I think the club is telling him he needs rest, it’s really hard to keep him away from here. Nick Rutley’s stepped into the spot really well, and the girls have embraced him with open arms.”

Carlton will host the Lions at Ikon Park on Saturday night, with Downie predicting a high-scoring contest.

“The Lions look really good, they only just lost to the Doggies, who are also undefeated,” she said.

“We’re up for a really good challenge.”

Originally published as Health concerns rule out Carlton AFLW coach Damien Keeping for another week