RUCKMAN Matthew Kreuzer is set to be available for selection to face the old enemy Collingwood for Friday night’s blockbuster clash at the MCG.
The Blues are confident on the availability of the 28-year-old who was a late withdrawal from the Gold Coast Suns game with a groin injury, while Matthew Kennedy (ankle) is also in line to be available for selection.
“Matthew Kreuzer didn’t quite get up for the game against Gold Coast which is disappointing for him, but we’re really comfortable that he’ll be up for the Friday night game against Collingwood,“ Head of Football Andrew McKay said.
“Matthew Kennedy, a little bit like Matthew Kreuzer, didn’t quite get up for the game against Gold Coast. It’s the same scenario, we’re hopeful that he’ll get up for the Collingwood game, but he needs to get through everything at training over the next few days.“
New recruit Darcy Lang (ankle) is nearing his navy blue debut and will undergo tests this week before being declared available.
McKay revealed that the 22-year-old was unlikely to appear for the AFL side this week, but a passed fitness test could see him line up for the Northern Blues.
“He’s been sidelined for a number of weeks now. He’ll be a test this week,“ McKay said.
“We’re confident he’ll get up. Given he’s been out of the game for quite some time it’s less likely that he’ll be available for the AFL team, but he’s more likely to be available for selection for the VFL team.”
Matthew Lobbe has also been declared available after overcoming a quad setback. Lobbe will be a welcome return to the squad, bolstering the Blues’ ruck stocks that have been tested in the early rounds of this season.
“Matthew Lobbe’s been out for the last couple of weeks with a quad injury. He’s got to get through training but it’s more likely that he will so he’ll be available for selection at the end of the week,“ he said.
Meanwhile, Irish duo Ciaran Byrne and Cillian McDaid will both miss some time with quad and foot injuries respectively.
“Ciaran Byrne injured his quad on the weekend against Gold Coast - he strained his quadricep muscle. He’s going to be out for probably four weeks which is really disappointing for Ciaran and us, but we’re looking forward to him returning,“ Mckay said.
“Cillian McDaid had a sore foot last week. We scanned it and he’s got a little hot spot on that foot. He’ll be out for probably four weeks I’d imagine but we’ll monitor that foot all the way through … it’s hard to tell at this stage.”
The timeframe for Tom Williamson’s recovery as he overcomes a back injury is similar, with the rising defender targeting three to four weeks for a return to the field.
“Tom Williamson’s progressing okay. He’s still three or four weeks away,” McKay said.
“His back's loosening up, the scans are certainly improving, but we just need to be super careful given his age and the time of year it is.“
The news is better for Harrison Macreadie, who is available this week despite missing the VFL game on Saturday with a corked quad.
“Harrison Macreadie didn’t play in our VFL practice game on the weekend. He copped a knock in the quad earlier in that week and we didn’t risk him, but he’ll be available for selection this week,“ he said.
Veteran defender Alex Silvagni (hamstring) is still one to two weeks away from a return, recovering from the minor hamstring injury he sustained during the Blues’ VFL hit-out against Richmond.
“Alex Silvagni’s coming back from a hamstring injury, he’s probably another week away,“ McKay said.
“He’s started training, he’ll get through training this week and next and be available that following week.”
The Blues face the Pies for the Richard Pratt Cup at the MCG on Friday night at 7:50pm. Click here to purchase tickets to the game.
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