The return of Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce to the AFL has hit, with the 30-year-old facing a hamstring strain in training this week.
The Dogs revealed the complaint of the hind thigh hind leg on Thursday, which will delay Bruce ending his absence from the senior team and playing his first AFL match since August last year.
“Josh suffered a low back sprain in the main session yesterday,” fitness coach Chris Bell told the club’s website.
TEAM TIPS: Planned changes for each game of the 15th game
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“Having been in detox for a long time, we do not want to take risks and he will not play this weekend.
“We will evaluate Josh for next week.”
Otherwise, the Gold Coast Suns will be without striker Joel Jeffrey for the rest of the season, with the 20-year-old undergoing surgery on the side mini on his right knee.
Jeffrey suffered the injury late in Sunday’s victory over Adelaide, but coach Stuart Dewey and the club initially thought it was a minor injury.
“It’s really sad, Joel added something to our side and he was comfortable on the level,” Dew said Thursday.
“It’s something that surprised us, as it was not very painful (after the game)… but when he came in on Monday my heart sank a little because I was just frustrated with him because he did a lot of work to get where he is.
“You just want your youngsters to play.”
Brisbane was forced to make three crucial changes for the match at the top of the table on Thursday night against Melbourne.
The Lions were already expected to be without Darcy Gardiner (lung) and leader Dayne Zorko (hamstring), but young superstar Zac Bailey will also miss the Health and Safety protocols.
Jimmy Tunstill will make his AFL debut for Chris Fagan’s team after being named on the bench. He was selected with 41 in the national draft of 2021 and becomes the second in the draft category to make his Brisbane debut this season, after Kay Lohmann.
Jack Payne and Thomas Berry are on the sidelines, for their fourth and second games of the season respectively (except for an unused minor appearance for Berry).
Melbourne have recovered superstar defender Steven May after he was suspended from the club for an off-field episode with teammate Jake Melksham.
Sam Weideman regains his place in the attacking line against Mitch Brown, who is missed, with Toby Bedford also back on the sidelines. Daniel Turner (face) and Max Gown (ankle) will be missing along with Cade Chandler, who is leaving the team after being a minor on the Queen’s birthday.
The teams for the remaining matches of the 15th round will be announced on Thursday at 18:20 AEST.
AFL ROUND 15 PRODUCTION AND TEAMS (All AEST times)
MELBOURNE – BRISBEN LIONS
Thursday, June 23, 7:20 pm at MCG
DEMONS
B: J.Harmes, H.Petty, S.May
HB: J.Jordon, J.Lever, C.Salem
C: A.Brayshaw, C.Petracca, E.Langdon
HF: B.Brown, B.Fritsch, T.Sparrow
F: A.Neal-Bullen, S.Weideman, C.Spargo
FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Oliver, J.Viney
I / C: T.Bedford, M.Hibberd, J.Bowey, K.Pickett
EMG: A.Tomlinson, L.Dunstan, M.Brown, J.Hunt
IN: S.May, S.Weideman, T.Bedford
EXCEPT: M.Brown (omitted), D.Turner, M.Gawn (both injured), K.Chandler (sub)
LIONS
B: J.Payne, H.Andrews, M.Adams
HB: B.Starcevich, D.Rich, N.Answerth
C: J.Berry, T.Berry, H.McCluggage
HF: C.Rayner, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy
F: D.McStay, J.Daniher, C.Cameron
FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Lyons, L.Neale
I / C: D.Robertson, M.Robinson, K.Coleman, J.Tunstill
EMG: C.Ah Chee, J.Madden, D.Fort, R.Lester
IN: J.Payne, T.Berry, J.Tunstill
EXCEPT: D.Gardiner, D.Zorko (both injured), D.Fort (sub), Z.Bailey (HS Protocol)
WESTERN BULLDOGES v HOTHORN
Friday, June 24, 19:00 at Marvel Stadium
BULDOG
TBA Thursday afternoon
ΓΕΡΑΚΙΑ
TBA Thursday afternoon
WEST COAST EAGLES – ESSENDON
Friday, June 24, 20:40 at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
TBA Thursday afternoon
BOMBERS
TBA Thursday afternoon
CARLTON v. FREMANTL
Saturday, June 25, 13:45 at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
TBA Thursday afternoon
LIMBANES
TBA Thursday afternoon
GEELONG CATS vs. RICHMOND
Saturday, June 25, 4:35 pm at MCG
cats
TBA Thursday afternoon
TIGERS
TBA Thursday afternoon
SYDNEY SWANS – ST KILDA
Saturday, June 25, 7:25 PM at SCG
SWANTS
TBA Thursday afternoon
SAINTS
TBA Thursday afternoon
NORTH MELBOURNE – AROLAIDA CROWS
Sunday, June 26, 1:10 p.m. at the Blundstone Arena
KANGARO
TBA Thursday afternoon
CROWS
TBA Thursday afternoon
COLLINGWOOD – GWS GIANTS
Sunday, June 26, 15:20 at MCG
ΚΑΡΚΟΥΣΕΣ
TBA Thursday afternoon
Giants
TBA Thursday afternoon
PORT Adelaide – GOLD COST SUNS
Sunday, June 26, 4:10 pm at the Adelaide Oval
POWER
TBA Thursday afternoon
ΗΛΙΟΥΣ
TBA Thursday afternoon