Blues livewire midfielder to undergo the knife tomorrow
CARLTON's Andrew Walker is likely to miss most of the 2009 AFL season after he reinjured his shoulder at the weekend. How he recovers physically and mentally from a season about to go down the drain remains to be seen, but the Carlton midfielder must face that reality after this recent setback to his troublesome shoulders.
Walker re-injured his right shoulder on Saturday while playing in a practice match for VFL club Northern Bullants. The extent of it means he will have surgery tomorrow and he is likely to all but write off the majority of this season.
It is the third time Walker will have reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder. He has managed 81 games in six seasons as an AFL player -- or 13.5 games per season -- since his debut in 2004. He was the Blues' No.2 selection in the 2003 national draft.
Walker, given run-with roles on some of the game's big-name midfielders, played the final seven games last year after injuring his shoulder in the final match of the 2008 pre-season. He debuted against West Coast in Round 5, 2004.
Motlop offered one-match rest
PORT Adelaide's Daniel Motlop has been offered a one-match suspension for striking West Coast's Adam Hunter in the second quarter of Sunday's match with the Eagles.
Motlop, one of Port's best with four goals, including a goal of the year contender and a mark of the day, was reported by a goal umpire. In a February NAB Cup match, Motlop was offered a reprimand after which with carry-over points. With an early plea this week, he will still be handed a one-match ban.
Here's how the match review panel saw it:
"Daniel Motlop, Port Adelaide, has been charged with a Level Two offence for striking Adam Hunter, West Coast, during the third quarter of the Round Two match between Port Adelaide and West Coast, played at Subiaco on Sunday April 5. In summary, his carry-over points from within the last 12 months means that his one-game sanction must remain at one game, even with an early plea.
"The incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. He has 93.75 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 218.75 points and a two-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 164.06 points and a one-match sanction."
Further souring the day for Port was the loss in loyal servant Shaun Burgoyne's 150th AFL match for the club.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Last Modified on 07/04/2009 00:49