Collingwood anticipates a surgical blow to Will Hoskin-Elliott as McRae is compelled to rearrange additional magnets.
With Will Hoskin-Elliott needing surgery to fix a fractured hand, Collingwood might be without the Magpies flanker for up to a month.
Due to a hand injury, Hoskin-Elliott was substituted out of Friday’s game against the Western Bulldogs. The 29-year-old will probably miss the next several weeks of play for the ladder-leading powerhouse.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed after his team’s dramatic two-goal comeback victory that Hoskin-Elliott has fractured his hand and will likely miss games against Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Carlton, and Hawthorn. “It was reported that he will have scans and likely see a surgeon early in the week,” McRae said to reporters following the game.
Most likely call for an operation. I’m hearing after three to four weeks.”
Hoskin-Elliott’s absence is probably going to coincide with a number of players making a comeback for the team’s game against the Dockers the following week. Brayden Maynard (knee), Brody Mihocek (hamstring), and Steele Sidebottom (knee) are among the players returning, and key forward Dan McStay will try to play after playing in the VFL on Friday afternoon and recovering from a finger injury.
His absence meant Ash Johnson would earn a recall after a week in the VFL recall given Mihocek’s setback, with the sharpshooting Magpie taking his chance at Marvel Stadium in booting three goals in the win.
While many would see the number of forward options as a selection dilemma, McRae was quick to note the club hasn’t managed to have their side at full strength all year so far.
“Everyone’s been writing about this for three or four weeks, it’s just never happened. We haven’t had our best 22 all year,” McRae said.
“We haven’t played a game without ‘Checkers’, it’s different. We get the opportunity to see what Billy Frampton can do forward. Mason (Cox) had to play more minutes forward than he has been.
“We just haven’t had that situation yet, but the magnets haven’t all been there. We will deal with that when it happens.”
Among those also pressing for selection for next week will be fringe midfielder Finlay Macrae, who enjoyed his best game in the VFL for the year in collecting 38 disposals, nine clearances and five tackles against Footscray.
Collingwood, who have now recorded 14 wins from their 16 matches this year, will welcome Fremantle to the MCG next Saturday at 1:45pm (AEST)
