MATURE-age rookie James Magner remains on track for a possible round one call-up, despite suffering a finger injury against Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Magner, who has been one of Melbourne’s most impressive NAB Cup performers so far, had just one touch after sustaining the injury early in the match.
Coach Mark Neeld said Magner appeared to have suffered “a very awkward looking dislocation”.
“It didn’t look very flash, and being the time of year and with the workload that Jimmy has done over the pre-season, it was easier to sub him out straight away,” he said.
Neeld said that if Magner’s finger was just a dislocation, it wouldn’t hinder his chances of being elevated from the rookie to primary list.
The Demons can nominate a rookie to be eligible for the primary list in the lead-up to round one, given that they have just one veteran (Brad Green) on their list.
Magner is right in contention for this elevation, due to his sound pre-season form.
There are also further opportunities for elevation. With ruckman Max Gawn sidelined for the 2012 season, and fellow big man Jake Spencer also on the long-term injury list, two other players can be promoted.
Meanwhile, Neeld confirmed Liam Jurrah would have missed a large chunk of 2012, regardless of his much publicised off-field situation.
“He wasn’t going to play in the first half of the year anyway, because of injury,” he said.
“I haven’t factored him into anything.”
Magner, who has been one of Melbourne’s most impressive NAB Cup performers so far, had just one touch after sustaining the injury early in the match.
Coach Mark Neeld said Magner appeared to have suffered “a very awkward looking dislocation”.
“It didn’t look very flash, and being the time of year and with the workload that Jimmy has done over the pre-season, it was easier to sub him out straight away,” he said.
Neeld said that if Magner’s finger was just a dislocation, it wouldn’t hinder his chances of being elevated from the rookie to primary list.
The Demons can nominate a rookie to be eligible for the primary list in the lead-up to round one, given that they have just one veteran (Brad Green) on their list.
Magner is right in contention for this elevation, due to his sound pre-season form.
There are also further opportunities for elevation. With ruckman Max Gawn sidelined for the 2012 season, and fellow big man Jake Spencer also on the long-term injury list, two other players can be promoted.
Meanwhile, Neeld confirmed Liam Jurrah would have missed a large chunk of 2012, regardless of his much publicised off-field situation.
“He wasn’t going to play in the first half of the year anyway, because of injury,” he said.
“I haven’t factored him into anything.”
