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Glenelg's hopes of ending a 22-year premiership drought have been hard hit by injury, with another three players in danger of missing the preliminary final.
Battered and bruised after the second semi-final, the Tigers emerged from the 30-point loss to Central District with injuries to Sam Rudolph, Byron Murphy and Justin McConnell.
Glenelg was already without key defender Paul Sherwood after his late withdrawal on Sunday with a hamstring problem. Out-of-sorts McConnell has been ruled out of the clash with Sturt on Sunday after damaging his hamstring in the final quarter, while the other three have been rated doubtful.
It is a staggering scenario for the Tigers after escaping the minor round with few injury woes. Rudolph was carried from the field with his neck in a brace after being heavily dumped in a tackle by Bulldog Daniel Schell late in the third quarter. He watched the final quarter on the bench but his presence in the season's penultimate round is questionable after suffering concussion. Glenelg will be guided by medical opinion before making a decision on the hard-working full back.
"Sam will have a recovery rest period and the doctor will have a big say in what he does this week," Glenelg football manager Ken Applegarth said.
"After the game the doctor said he was pleased the way he has recovered.
"If he does any work it will be upper body and he will remain indoors. We would not expect him to do much."
Sherwood was a late withdrawal from the Bulldogs defeat after finishing the final minor round win over Norwood with hamstring soreness.
His absence was a huge blow and prompted the side to be reshuffled with Ruory Kirkby switched into the backlines.
Murphy started the final well but left the game in the second quarter with hamstring problems and watched the game riding the exercise bike. "It is only early in the week so we are still not sure how they will be until they report for training," Applegarth said.
"At this stage McConnell is unlikely to play while the other three must be doubtful."
The Tigers had a recovery session last night and will train tomorrow night and on Friday. They are expected to name an extended squad on Thursday and then delay confirming the 21 to give the injured personnel every chance to prove their fitness.
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Warren Partland