Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce’s return to the AFL has been dealt a setback, with the 30-year-old experiencing hamstring tightness at training this week.
The Dogs revealed the hamstring complaint on Thursday, which will delay Bruce from ending his absence from the senior side and playing his first AFL game since August last year.
“Josh suffered some low-level hamstring tightness in the main session yesterday,” fitness boss Chris Bell told the club website.
TEAM TIPS: Predicted changes for every Round 15 game
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“Having been in rehab for a long period of time, we don’t want to take any risks and he won’t play this weekend.
“We will assess Josh for the following week.”
Elsewhere, Gold Coast Suns will be without forward Joel Jeffrey for the rest of the season, with the 20-year-old having surgery on the lateral miniscus in his right knee.
Jeffrey suffered the injury late in Sunday’s win over Adelaide, but coach Stuart Dew and the club initially thought it was a minor injury.
“It’s really unfortunate, Joel was adding something to our side and getting comfortable at the level,” Dew said on Thursday.
“It’s one we were really surprised by given it wasn’t too sore (after the game) … but when he walked in on Monday hobbling my heart sank a bit because I was just disappointed for him because he’s done a lot of work to get to where he is.
“You just want your young lads playing.”
Brisbane has been forced into three crucial changes for Thursday night’s top-of-the-table showdown against Melbourne.
The Lions were already expected to be without Darcy Gardiner (lung) and captain Dayne Zorko (hamstring), but young superstar Zac Bailey will also miss through Health and Safety protocols.
Jimmy Tunstill will make his AFL debut for Chris Fagan’s side after being named on the bench. He was selected with pick 41 in the 2021 national draft, and becomes the second of his draft class to debut for Brisbane this season, after Kai Lohmann.
Jack Payne and Thomas Berry come into the side, for their fourth and second games respectively of the season (excluding an unused sub appearance for Berry).
Melbourne has regained superstar defender Steven May following his club suspension for an off-field incident with teammate Jake Melksham.
Sam Weideman regains his spot in the forward line at the expense of Mitch Brown, who is omitted, with Toby Bedford also back in the side. Daniel Turner (face) and Max Gawn (ankle) will miss along with Kade Chandler, who exits the squad after being the sub on Queen’s Birthday.
The teams for the rest of Round 15’s games will be announced on Thursday at 6:20pm AEST.
AFL ROUND 15 FIXTURE AND TEAMS (All times AEST)
MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS
Thursday June 23, 7:20pm at the 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
OUT: 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. Answer
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
OUT: D.Gardiner, D.Zorko (both injured), D.Fort (sub), Z.Bailey (HS Protocol)
WESTERN BULLDOGS v HAWTHORN
Friday June 24, 7:00pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday night
HAWKS
TBA Thursday night
WEST COAST EAGLES v ESSENDON
Friday June 24, 8:40pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
TBA Thursday night
BOMBER
TBA Thursday night
CARLTON v FREMANTLE
Saturday June 25, 1:45pm at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
TBA Thursday night
DOCKERS
TBA Thursday night
GEELONG CATS v RICHMOND
Saturday June 25, 4:35pm at the MCG
CATS
TBA Thursday night
TIGER
TBA Thursday night
SYDNEY SWANS v ST KILDA
Saturday June 25, 7:25pm at the SCG
SWANS
TBA Thursday night
SAINTS
TBA Thursday night
NORTH MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE CROWS
Sunday June 26, 1:10pm at Blundstone Arena
KANGAROO
TBA Thursday night
CROWS
TBA Thursday night
COLLINGWOOD v GWS GIANTS
Sunday June 26, 3:20pm at the MCG
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday night
GIANTS
TBA Thursday night
PORT ADELAIDE v GOLD COAST SUNS
Sunday June 26, 4:10pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
TBA Thursday night
SUNS
TBA Thursday night
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