Devils sweat on scans on injured star after big win over Cannons

An AFL-bound star talent is sweating on scans on Monday after he injured his ankle in Tasmania Devils’ big win over Calder on Sunday.

Star Devil Colby McKercher was injured during the game against the Calder Cannons at KGV Oval. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania Devils’ return to the top of the Coates Talent League ladder may have come at a major cost after AFL-bound star Colby McKercher finished Sunday’s win over Calder on crutches.

The Devils cruised to a 17.9 (111) to 6.5 (41) win over the sixth-placed Cannons at KGV Oval, their ninth win in 12 games this campaign.

But after kicking two early goals McKercher, rated by most experts a top-five draft pick after his superb national championships campaign, failed to finish the game with an ankle injury.

Jack Dolliver booted five goals as the Devils, who made the preliminary finals last year, delivered a clear statement to their fellow flag aspirants.

They led by more than six goals at the major break and sealed the deal by extending the deficit to 59 at three quarter time. They can secure top spot and a week off with victory at eighth-placed Dandenong in the last round this Saturday.

Devils coach Jeromey Webberley said McKercher’s injury midway through the third term, as well as a shoulder or arm issue to Darcy Noonan, had taken some of the gloss off the big win.

Tasmania Devils James Leake and Calder Cannons Thomas Barnett at KGV Oval. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Colby got tackled in the middle of the ground, and he had some pain at the top of his foot,” Webberley said.

“It seems to have settled down now, we’ll get him scanned tomorrow (Monday) and find out the extent of the damage.”

McKercher has already done more than enough to prove himself before the AFL draft. He finished runner-up to fellow Tasmanian Ryler Sanders in the Larke Medal after helping Allies claim their maiden national championships campaign this year.

Asked if McKercher would be back later in the season, Webberley said: “We’re not sure. Structurally the physios think it’s OK, but essentially until you get a scan you don’t know. “We’ll get it checked out and hopefully get him back. If we win next week we’re highly likely to sit out the first week of finals.

“He’s obviously an extremely important player to us, definitely our most damaging player.

“Hopefully this is just a blip on the radar for him over the next couple of weeks, and we get him back for the finals. He’s clearly done enough to give himself the best opportunity to get drafted.”

With the top-ranked non metropolitan team getting a bye in the first week of finals, the Devils (36pts, 150.69 percentage) are level with Greater Western Victoria (36, 133.78) heading into the last round.

A replay of the Devils’ win over Calder can be found HERE.