Gilbee Doubtful For Dogs

Western Bulldogs' popular $319k defender Lindsay Gilbee is a big doubt for this Sunday's match against North Melbourne after re-injuring his troublesome ankle at training.

Gilbee, who is owned by over 57,000 DT coaches, left the training track early at the Bulldogs' Wednesday session after hurting his ankle in a tackle.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said, "He got caught in a bit of a tackle. He hurt it again in Darwin, so it has been going on for a few weeks.

"There was some doubt on him anyway. It was the first day that he's trained; he didn't train at all last week, so I suppose there is some doubt now.

"I'll get a further update from the doctor later on, but the doctor did come out and say he's still hopeful he'll be able to play but it's obviously put him in some doubt.

"I'll wait to get an update but we're still hopeful he'll play. We'll certainly give him every chance and certainly name him, but we don't know at this stage."

Those comments suggest Gilbee is unlikely to face the Kangaroos and Eade floated Dylan Addison, Tim Callan or Sam Reid as possible replacements for the defender.

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Goodwin Won't Face Swans

Bad news today for the 20,000 DT coaches who own Adelaide's $336k mid/forward Simon Goodwin, after the Crows skipper was ruled out of Saturday's game against Sydney.

Goodwin, 32, strained a medial ligament in his knee against Essendon in Round 11 and has been struggling with the injury ever since.

Earlier in the week Goodwin was rated a 50-50 chance to face the Swans but it's been confirmed he'll miss out again.

"Goody has been trying to get himself up and he’s very diligent with what he does in trying to get right to play," Crows midfielder Nathan van Berlo revealed.

"Unfortunately, Simon’s not able to play this week, but as we showed last week there are a number of guys that can certainly come in, fill positions and play their role."

Adelaide did confirm $304k defender Graham Johncock and $286k forward Richard Douglas would be available for the Sydney game after both had illness last round.

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Hartlett To Miss Again

Highly rated Port Adelaide youngster Hamish Hartlett faces more time on the sidelines after re-injuring his hamstring at training this week.

The $212k midfielder, who's aggregate value has increased by $74k in his rookie AFL season, was sent for scans on Wednesday but is unlikely to be available for the Power's match against Geelong on Sunday.

The injury is another blow for the 16,000 patient DT coaches who own Hartlett, who hasn't played since Round 10.

Meanwhile, Port's $298k forward Warren Tredrea has a minor injury concern but should be okay for Sunday's game.

Tredrea has an infected finger which prevented him from training with the main group on Wednesday, but he seems confident he'll play.

Tredrea, who is owned by over 6,000 DT coaches, has averaged 77 DT points a game this season.

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Around The Grounds

• Brisbane's $327k defender Josh Drummond faces a rigorous test at Lions training on Thursday to prove his fitness after a calf injury. Should Drummond get through the session he'll play, as Lions assistant Adrian Fletcher said, "We pick our best side week in, week out and if Drummo is fit and we believe he can play his percentage of game time, we've got to pick the best side."

• Geelong captain Tom Harley, a $228k defender, will return to the Cats' side to face Port Adelaide this Sunday after a hamstring tear. Cats coach Mark Thompson said, "He's going to play this week - he's ticked all the boxes." It creates a dilemma for Geelong, as to who will drop out of the 22 which beat Freo last week.

• Hawthorn's $335k mid/defender Rick Ladson looks ready to finally play his first game of 2009 after a long-term knee injury. "To stake a claim for selection, they needed to train well today," Hawks footy manager Mark Evans said on Wednesday.

• St Kilda pair Leigh Fisher and David Armitage will both miss 2 weeks after picking up injuries in the VFL on the weekend. Fisher, a $162k defender, has a hamstring problem, while Armitage, a $244k midfielder, injured his shoulder. Neither has played an AFL match this season.
  

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