Duncan Back in Running to Face Lions Miss Match
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34 SPORT THURSDAY APRIL 7 2016 CAIRNSPOST.COM.AU Wingard to Duncan back in running to face Lions miss match JASON PHELAN “He’s really good, he ob- clash against the Lions at Si- whose side were outpointed in BRILLIANT Port Adelaide AFL viously wasn’t good enough to monds Stadium. a host of critical areas includ- forward Chad Wingard will keep going which did speak to Scott said the Cats weren’t ing clearances, contested pos- miss tomorrow night’s AFL GEELONG midfielder Mitch a bit of an issue there, but he’s spooked after Sunday’s defeat session, inside 50s and tackles. fixture against Essendon bec- Duncan is recovering well recovered really well,” coach but admitted there were some “Six days prior (against the ause of a hamstring strain. after being knocked out in the Chris Scott said yesterday. startling figures to come out of Hawks) it wasn’t (an issue) so And midfielder Hamish Cats’ surprise loss to Greater “We’re a long way away the match. we’re not jumping at shadows,” Hartlett (hamstring) and Western Sydney and should be from finalising our team but A week after superstar re- Scott said. spearhead Jay Schulz (back) fit to play Brisbane this week- the indications are positive at cruit Patrick Dangerfield led “The contested ball num- will be sidelined again because end. the moment.” the Cats to an eye-catching bers were a bit inflated by the of their injuries, Port coach Duncan left the field dazed Duncan, Daniel Menzel, win over reigning premiers free kicks against … so it looks Ken Hinkley says. in the third quarter at Manuka Nakia Cockatoo – who has Hawthorn, Scott’s side came a bit different if you strip those Wingard limped off late in Oval in Canberra after coming served a two-match suspen- back to earth with a thud out. Port’s loss to Adelaide last off second best in a bone-jar- sion – and upgraded rookie de- against the Giants in Canberra. “But there are some clear weekend and Hinkley says ring collision with Giants ruck- fender Tom Ruggles are all in The final stats sheet made things that we need to improve RECOVERING POSITION: scans showed a need to be cau- man Shane Mumford. the selection mix for Sunday’s for grim reading for Scott, on.” Midfielder Mitch Duncan. tious to prevent a more serious injury, and they would be. “We have scanned Chad yesterday because he still had some (hamstring) awareness, so we’re a bit mindful of that,” Hinkley said yesterday. “As much as we’d love him and need him to be out there Suns will turn heat this week, we have got to take the long-term view.” Hinkley hoped Wingard would be available next week, likewise Hartlett, who missed the defeat to the Crows. “Hartlett is probably on track to play next week, no on Blues’ defence problems,” he said. But the prognosis on key forward Schulz, who was side- lined last week by a back injury, was more uncertain. “His will be a little more wait and see how he goes over the weekend. He will run Sat- urday and see where he’s at,” Hinkley said. “We are dealing with a significant back issue with Jay but normally they set- tle down pretty quickly.” Bennell out for a month PRIZED Fremantle recruit Harley Bennell is set to miss at least another month of AFL action as the Dockers search far and wide to find a perma- nent fix for his calf issues. Bennell was “haunted” by calf tweaks during his time at Gold Coast, and the issue has already flared up twice since his switch to Fremantle at the end of last season. The 23-year-old is currently grounded after injuring his calf last month, and Dockers coach Ross Lyon confirmed he wouldn’t be available for selec- tion for at least four weeks. And if Fremantle decide Bennell needs to undergo an- other extensive rehabilitation program to strengthen his calves – as he did over summer – the 23-year-old might not re- turn until midway through the season. Lyon said the Dockers would do everything within SHINING ON: Tom Lynch of the Suns celebrates after scoring a goal during the round two AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Gold Coast Suns at Domain their power to ensure the calf Stadium in Perth last weekend. Carlton await on Saturday night. Picture: WILL RUSSELL/AFL MEDIA/GETTY IMAGES issue didn’t continue to ham- per Bennell. LAUREN WOOD Tom Lynch – who booted six you get a chance on different the role of the tagger to be Fremantle have even con- AFL goals last week – Jack Martin players, but if (Weitering) gets dead in today’s game. HOT SUNS sulted Craig Purdam – the and Aaron Hall awaiting this a chance on him, it will be a But he is calling for imp- 2016 LEADING head of physical therapies at THERE’S no rest for Carlton’s week. It had been quite a les- good learning experience for rovement from his entire mid- GOALKICKERS the AIS – and other leading ex- defenders, with coach Brendon son, Bolton said, but he bel- him. field group, particularly from Tom Lynch perts around the country for Bolton admitting the heat of a ieved the 18-year-old was “He’s holding his own and centre bounces after a disap- 2016 games: 2 help with the issue. dominant Suns forward outfit holding his own. doing quite well.” pointing showing in that area AFL games: 82 The Dockers are desperate poses a stern test on Saturday “Every week the backs The Blues are still hunting against Sydney last Sunday. 2016 goals: 9 for Bennell to return after night. would say it’s a big job, because their first win of the season, “(The Suns) were really spe- AFL goals: 133 slumping to a 0-2 start to the Top draft pick Jacob Wei- there’s dangerous forwards in and he is not only tasked with cial (against Fremantle) in the Jack Martin season. tering has had a brutal ini- the competition,” he said. stopping the trio, but two-time centre bounce,” Bolton said. 2016 games: 2 Their lack of leg speed was tiation to AFL, facing the likes “We know (Lynch) is a ter- Brownlow medallist Gary Abl- “We’ll train it today. We’ve AFL games: 25 brutally exposed in losses to of Coleman medallists Jack rific young fellow, can mark ett in the centre. got some quality inside mids 2016 goals: 6 the Bulldogs and Suns, but Riewoldt and Lance Franklin the ball and has got good lead- Bolton said he was yet to there that can hold their own. AFL goals: 27 Lyon insisted he wouldn’t in the first two rounds of the ership as well. finalise plans for negating him, “We think it’s an area we rush back the fleet-footed season, and has the likes of “The fence moves now, and admitting he does not believe can improve on really quickly.” midfielder. CCPE01Z01MA - V1.