North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson ruled out for rest of season with lung bruising

NORTH Melbourne says defender Scott Thompson could suffer serious lung damage if he copped another heavy bump this season.

Scott Thompson

NORTH Melbourne says defender Scott Thompson could suffer serious lung damage if he copped another heavy bump this season.

Thompson suffered lung bruising in a marking contest late in the Roos' loss to Adelaide in Round 20.

He was a late withdrawal from the team that defeated Essendon last weekend and the Roos revealed today he can't risk another heavy knock.

"He landed pretty heavily on the middle of his back…a little bit to one side,” North Melbourne director of medical services Steve Saunders said.

"Scans showed he copped a substantial contusion (bruise) to some lung tissue and until that contusion subsides, he can’t be cleared to play again. The concern is, the same tissue could bleed again and more damage could be done to his lung and obviously that wouldn’t be good for him at all."

Saunders said Thompson would have been a chance to return if the Roos were still in the finals race.

"The specialist indicated this is normally a four-week injury.

"That’s the amount of time it takes for the tissue to heal and be safe to the point of being able to withstand another contusion.

"So he’s actually safe now to exercise heavily and to put himself through a fair bit of exertion but it’s other knocks we’re concerned about.”