Brisbane Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney is set to miss the AFL grand final after being taken to hospital with a serious shoulder injury during Saturday night’s win over Geelong.
The 30-year-old was in agony as he suddenly called for medical attention while play continued around him late in the first quarter of the preliminary final.
He had suffered a dislocated shoulder attempting to tackle Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins on centre wing.
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McInerney returned after receiving treatment, and likely a painkilling injection, for the start of the second quarter.
But his brave attempt to play on was cut short in the third quarter when his shoulder gave way for a second time.
He was taken to hospital for further assessment during the fourth quarter.
With the Lions going on to defeat the Cats by 10 points, McInerney is almost certainly out of next week’s grand final — Brisbane’s shot at redemption after losing last year’s decider to Collingwood — as a result of the injury.
Brisbane board member Leigh Matthews, who coached the club to their premiership three-peat from 2001-03, said in commentary on 3AW that McInerney was “one player you can’t replace”.
Joe Daniher was forced to take on the No.1 ruck duties in McInerney’s absence on Saturday night.
“He was huge. The great thing is that everyone’s determined to play a role and give yourself to the team,” Kai Lohmann told Channel 7.
“That’s what he did tonight, I’m sure he’ll get praised during the week.”
The Lions will likely recall reserve ruckman Darcy Fort, who has played just two games this year, for the decider.
Fort had 27 hitouts against GWS in his last senior outing but was a key presence in the VFL as Brisbane’s reserves reached the semi-finals.
He had 68 hitouts in a qualifying final win over Footscray while in the last game of the home-and-away season he had 30 hitouts and two goals.
McInerney had 28 hitouts and 10 clearances in last year’s grand final defeat against the Magpies.
Meanwhile, Brisbane’s star midfielder Lachie Neale has backed himself for next Saturday as he continues to battle a foot injury.
The dual Brownlow medallist had 31 disposals, 12 clearances, five tackles and a goal assist despite admitting he “can’t feel it at the moment”.
“The docs and our medical staff have probably been managing it for eight, nine weeks now,” he told Channel 7.
“Because it’s finals it gets mentioned. I haven’t done much training for a long time, I’ve been on the same program and it’s been working.”
– with AAP