We are screwed.
An unexperienced and underdeveloped Flaps in the ruck with probably CC. This is not good. Typical, too. Fraser was BOG against Swans and looked prime for his best year to date.
Typical luck.
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collingwoodfc.com.au
"Collingwood has suffered a huge setback with the start of the AFL home and away season less than a fortnight away with star ruckman Josh Fraser ruled out for up to two months with a knee injury.
Fraser had surgery on Tuesday to repair cartilage damage in his right knee with the Pies expecting him to miss between six to eight weeks.
It is the first major setback in the career of the 23-year-old, who has already played 108 matches in just five seasons since being chosen at pick one in the 1999 national draft.
But it could not have come at a worse time for the Magpies, who will also be without back-up ruckman Guy Richards due to a posterior cruciate knee strain, for at least the opening round clash against the Western Bulldogs on Easter Monday at the MCG.
With both Fraser and Richards sidelined, the Magpies are likely to be forced to use 204cm rookie David Fanning - who has only just being promoted onto the senior list - in the first ruck for the start of the season even though he is yet to even make his AFL debut.
Collingwood football operations manager Neil Balme told Sportal on Tuesday that Fraser had complained of knee soreness after Saturday's practice match win against Sydney in Newcastle.
"It turned out that he had cartilage damage," Balme said.
However Balme said the injury was not the same kind of injury to the posterior cruciate ligament caused when opposing ruckmen clash knees at centre bounces and which led to the introduction of the new ruck rules for 2005.
"There was no actual incident t"hat has caused it," Balme said of Fraser's injury.
"It's just due to wear and tear."
Fraser has missed just eight matches in his five years with the Magpies and Balme said the club was hoping Fraser's renowned durability will enable him to make a speedy recovery.
"We are saying six to eight weeks but we are hopeful he may be back sooner," Balme said.
The loss of Fraser continues the Pies' wretched pre-season with skipper Nathan Buckley yet to play at all after tearing his hamstring during the Pies' community camp in early February.
And goalsneak Alan Didak (knee) also remains sidelined while promising forward Tom Davidson is still on the comeback trail from a knee re-construction.
However the Pies are hopeful that Buckley will be available to lead the side against the Bulldogs in round one even though he will go into the season without any match practice under his belt."
An unexperienced and underdeveloped Flaps in the ruck with probably CC. This is not good. Typical, too. Fraser was BOG against Swans and looked prime for his best year to date.
Typical luck.
-----------------------------
collingwoodfc.com.au
"Collingwood has suffered a huge setback with the start of the AFL home and away season less than a fortnight away with star ruckman Josh Fraser ruled out for up to two months with a knee injury.
Fraser had surgery on Tuesday to repair cartilage damage in his right knee with the Pies expecting him to miss between six to eight weeks.
It is the first major setback in the career of the 23-year-old, who has already played 108 matches in just five seasons since being chosen at pick one in the 1999 national draft.
But it could not have come at a worse time for the Magpies, who will also be without back-up ruckman Guy Richards due to a posterior cruciate knee strain, for at least the opening round clash against the Western Bulldogs on Easter Monday at the MCG.
With both Fraser and Richards sidelined, the Magpies are likely to be forced to use 204cm rookie David Fanning - who has only just being promoted onto the senior list - in the first ruck for the start of the season even though he is yet to even make his AFL debut.
Collingwood football operations manager Neil Balme told Sportal on Tuesday that Fraser had complained of knee soreness after Saturday's practice match win against Sydney in Newcastle.
"It turned out that he had cartilage damage," Balme said.
However Balme said the injury was not the same kind of injury to the posterior cruciate ligament caused when opposing ruckmen clash knees at centre bounces and which led to the introduction of the new ruck rules for 2005.
"There was no actual incident t"hat has caused it," Balme said of Fraser's injury.
"It's just due to wear and tear."
Fraser has missed just eight matches in his five years with the Magpies and Balme said the club was hoping Fraser's renowned durability will enable him to make a speedy recovery.
"We are saying six to eight weeks but we are hopeful he may be back sooner," Balme said.
The loss of Fraser continues the Pies' wretched pre-season with skipper Nathan Buckley yet to play at all after tearing his hamstring during the Pies' community camp in early February.
And goalsneak Alan Didak (knee) also remains sidelined while promising forward Tom Davidson is still on the comeback trail from a knee re-construction.
However the Pies are hopeful that Buckley will be available to lead the side against the Bulldogs in round one even though he will go into the season without any match practice under his belt."
