- Banned
- #1
http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=63455
No timeline given but it looks like both have played their last game for the season. Imagine if Notte gets a game
DEPENDABLE West Coast defenders Brett Jones and Adam Hunter are both struggling with serious injuries and are unlikely to see out the rest of the season.
Jones requires knee surgery that will sideline him for at least four months while Hunter will undergo shoulder and knee surgery.
Jones has only missed one game this season and has been one of the Eagles' best players in an arduous campaign, but coach John Worsfold said the club was considering putting him under the knife as soon as possible.
He also said Hunter would have an early off-season as soon as the utility's injuries seriously diminished his performances.
"He's struggling to play like he can, there's no doubt. And that tells us all that he's not at 100 per cent," Worsfold said of Hunter.
"At the point where he can't perform for the remainder of the year, we'll get him fixed.
"That point is approaching. Whether it's this week or in two or three weeks, I couldn't answer that."
While Jones will miss around four months, Worsfold said the serious bone and cartilage injury his reliable defender was nursing would ideally require 12 months rest.
"The surgery that they have to do is fairly major, in terms of the time it takes to fully heal," Worsfold said.
"Normally the surgeons would suggest they need 12 months’ rest. But they understand that elite sportspeople don't have that luxury, so it's pretty serious surgery that he'll need."
Worsfold said he had a responsibility to pick players that would perform at close to their best, but - in light of the club’s 77-point loss to Richmond - also players that would give 100 per cent and follow instructions.
Vice-captain Dean Cox said on Monday there were players not giving their all in Sunday's crushing defeat. Worsfold said players will be questioned on their effort when the side to take on Brisbane this Saturday night at the Gabba is selected.
"You pick players that are going to follow instructions," Worsfold said.
"That's one easy thing to do. If you know the players that aren't following instructions and they don't have a valid reason for that, they won't be playing.
"And if there are players that we believe aren't trying then they won't be playing."
Worsfold was confident the Eagles have enough players performing in the WAFL to cover any number of changes for this week's clash, including seasoned charges Chad Fletcher and Brent Staker.
The coach also singled out Eric Mackenzie, Matt Spangher, Jamie McNamara, Scott Selwood and Will Schofield as players pushing for selection while a couple of potential debutants were waiting in the wings.
"There are a couple of the other young players like Pat McGinnity and Tony Notte who have been playing some good WAFL footy as well," he said.
"You might get the opportunity to see them get a game."
No timeline given but it looks like both have played their last game for the season. Imagine if Notte gets a game