Collingwood have been hit by the news Jordan Roughead will miss the start of the season with a shoulder injury, while the Gold Coast Suns have confirmed Ben King has torn his ACL.
Collingwood are priced at 11/2 to finish in the top eight of the AFL this season, the Suns 11/2 , but both clubs will be missing key players as they push for finals footy.
Roughead blow for Pies
Collingwood revealed that Roughead underwent a minor operation on his shoulder on Thursday in the hope it will clear up a niggle that has been bothering him all pre-season.
The 31-year-old is expected to be out of action for a couple of months which will mean he is likely to miss the opening four rounds of the 2022 AFL campaign.
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"Jordan has been managing the shoulder for some time but it reached a point where surgery was required," GM of football Graham Wright said.
"The expectation is that he will be out of the selection frame for eight weeks or so, which could see him available by rounds five or six. We’re certainly hopeful of that."
King blow confirmed
Meanwhile the Suns have confirmed their worst fears over the knee injury sustained by King in training earlier this week.
Scans have shown it is a damaged ACL and the youngster is out for the season before it has even begun.
"Unfortunately, Ben’s ruptured his ACL in his right knee," Gold Coast football manager Wayne Campbell said. "Ben’s going well. Whenever someone goes down with an ACL it’s shattering for a start.
"He’s got a really strong family and we’ve got some really good support around him from the footy club. It’s not ideal by any stretch but we know Ben’s strength of character will see him attack the challenge in a positive manner."
