AFL Mid-Season Draft: Coburg ruckman Cooper Keogh goes down as Essendon watches on

In another potential injury blow, the VFL big man Essendon has be watching closely ahead of the mid-season draft left Sunday’s game on crutches. Here’s who they could turn to instead.

Even the ruckmen Essendon is eyeing at the AFL mid-season rookie draft are going down with injury.

Coburg big man Cooper Keogh, one of the state-league players the Bombers are considering to reinforce their depleted ruck division, hurt his left foot and was unable to get through Sunday’s VFL match against Carlton at Coburg City Oval.

Keogh, 26, went off in the third quarter, having held his own in a battle with Blues ruckman Marc Pittonet.

He was on crutches when he briefly went to the huddle.

Keogh had eight possessions and 14 hit-outs before coming off.

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Cooper Keogh in action for Coburg. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“He’s going to have a scan this morning,’’ Lions coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara said of his 200cm player.

“Best case is a big bruise. Worst case is some sort of a break.

“We won’t know until we get the results back. Fingers crossed it’s nothing major.’’

Essendon list and recruiting manager Matt Rosa was at Coburg on Sunday to watch Keogh, who lives at Essendon and has emerged as one of the VFL’s best ruckmen since crossing from North Melbourne VFL ahead of the 2024 season.

Essendon is open to taking three players in the mid-season draft on May 28, between the AFL’s round 12-13.

The club has had long-term injuries to Sam Draper (achilles), Nick Bryan (ACL) and Tom Edwards (ACL), giving it the flexibility to top up its list.

In Essendon’s victory over North Melbourne, it lost wing-forward Harrison Jones with a dislocated ankle and Jordan Ridley with a high-grade ankle concern.

It is open to taking key position players, with clubs having to pay $60,000 per player for a six-month mid-season contract but also having to include it in their salary cap.

The Dons have had success in securing mid-season picks including Massimo D’Ambrosio, Jye Menzie, Sam Durham and Will Snelling.

“He’s so competitive … he makes everything a 50-50,’’ Cassidy-McNamara said of Keogh.

“It’s a pretty handy trait to have as a ruckman. He’s got such a strong appetite to work and be involved.’’

Brayden Crossley in action during the state game against SA. Picture: Kelly Barnes/AFL Photos

The Bombers also scouted Southport star Brayden Crossley in Saturday’s match against Williamstown at Point Gellibrand.

Crossley went up against Williamstown top-liner Tom Downie and had 48 hit-outs, 15 possessions and five marks.

Other state-league ruck options for the Bombers include WAFL pair Oliver Eastland and Lachlan Blackiston, and Alex Van Wyck from the SANFL.