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Injured Schauble likely to be out for four weeks
By James MacSmith
Sydney
March 7, 2004
Related:
Undermanned Roos bring Swans down to earth
The Swans have received a critical early-season injury blow, with key defender Andrew Schauble likely to miss the opening two matches of the AFL season.
Schauble hurt his hamstring in the Swans' 23-point loss to the Kangaroos in a practice match at Optus Oval on Friday.
The extent of Schauble's injury will be known tomorrow when he has an MRI scan, but coach Paul Roos said he expected to be without his full-back for four weeks.
The injury comes at a crucial time, with Sydney facing the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the opening round.
Schauble was a vital part of the Swans' successful season last year, and held Lions full-forward Alastair Lynch kickless during Sydney's upset 14-point win over Brisbane in round 20.
"Andrew became an important part of our team in the second half of last year, and you don't like to lose anyone at any time," Roos said. "He's done a hamstring, we know that, but we won't know how bad it is until Monday. But we're expecting him to be out for about four weeks. It's pretty unfortunate for him. You get through a tough pre-season and then something like that happens before the season has even started."
Roos nominated Heath James and rookie Aaron Rogers as possible replacements for Schauble, but said staff would decide who would be given the task of holding Lynch in the week before the game.
The good news for Swans fans was that No. 1 ruckman Jason Ball successfully completed his first game back since a shoulder injury received last July.
Ryan O'Keefe also had his first run of the year, and star forward Michael O'Loughlin is expected to play his first game of the year in the Swans' final practice game in Newcastle on Saturday.
"We only used Ball for 10 minutes a quarter but he looked pretty sharp, while Ryan was playing up forward and didn't really get that much to do," Roos said.
"We didn't play that well. The first 10 minutes were good but after that it wasn't that great."
The 2003 coach of the year said he would treat Saturday's match as if it were the first round of the premiership.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to play Jason Ball and Adam Goodes together, and we'll give Michael O'Loughlin a bit of a run."
Roos said Mark Powell was likely to press for a forward spot in round one after an impressive performance against the Kangaroos, during which he took six marks in the final quarter.
By James MacSmith
Sydney
March 7, 2004
Related:
Undermanned Roos bring Swans down to earth
The Swans have received a critical early-season injury blow, with key defender Andrew Schauble likely to miss the opening two matches of the AFL season.
Schauble hurt his hamstring in the Swans' 23-point loss to the Kangaroos in a practice match at Optus Oval on Friday.
The extent of Schauble's injury will be known tomorrow when he has an MRI scan, but coach Paul Roos said he expected to be without his full-back for four weeks.
The injury comes at a crucial time, with Sydney facing the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the opening round.
Schauble was a vital part of the Swans' successful season last year, and held Lions full-forward Alastair Lynch kickless during Sydney's upset 14-point win over Brisbane in round 20.
"Andrew became an important part of our team in the second half of last year, and you don't like to lose anyone at any time," Roos said. "He's done a hamstring, we know that, but we won't know how bad it is until Monday. But we're expecting him to be out for about four weeks. It's pretty unfortunate for him. You get through a tough pre-season and then something like that happens before the season has even started."
Roos nominated Heath James and rookie Aaron Rogers as possible replacements for Schauble, but said staff would decide who would be given the task of holding Lynch in the week before the game.
The good news for Swans fans was that No. 1 ruckman Jason Ball successfully completed his first game back since a shoulder injury received last July.
Ryan O'Keefe also had his first run of the year, and star forward Michael O'Loughlin is expected to play his first game of the year in the Swans' final practice game in Newcastle on Saturday.
"We only used Ball for 10 minutes a quarter but he looked pretty sharp, while Ryan was playing up forward and didn't really get that much to do," Roos said.
"We didn't play that well. The first 10 minutes were good but after that it wasn't that great."
The 2003 coach of the year said he would treat Saturday's match as if it were the first round of the premiership.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to play Jason Ball and Adam Goodes together, and we'll give Michael O'Loughlin a bit of a run."
Roos said Mark Powell was likely to press for a forward spot in round one after an impressive performance against the Kangaroos, during which he took six marks in the final quarter.
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