Ottens Pulls Out

Geelong ruckman Brad Ottens has pulled out the side to play Fremantle this weekend.

Ottens will miss with soreness from Monday's crunching clash with Hawthorn according to Geelong footy operations manager Neil Balme.

Balme also confirmed the big man will be replaced by youngster Dawson Simpson in the 22 to face Freo.

Ottens is expected to be okay for Round Four.

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Is It Worth Bumping Anymore?

I've written a story on The Roar today, about the death of 'the bump'. Is it worth the trouble anymore with five players getting suspended in 2 rounds of footy?
http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/04/09/is-it-worth-bumping-anymore/

What do you think?

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Cheap McVeigh Will Miss Round 3

Press release from Essendon:
Mark McVeigh will remain in hospital under observation for a fifth night but is expected to be released tomorrow (Friday).

General manager of football operations said the 29-year-old is recovering well but is unlikely to attend the game on Saturday.

"Mark is feeling much better which is great and he has had plenty of visitors from the club which has kept his spirits up," Hamilton said.

"Naturally he is very disappointed about not being able to play against one of our fiercest rivals this weekend. Hopefully he will be back and ready to play in Round 4."

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Pies Insider Says Sam Fisher Is Back

Collingwood are claiming they've received insider knowledge telling them St Kilda's $373k defender Sam Fisher will play this weekend.

Fisher, owned by over 10,000 DT coaches, has been out of action since an ankle injury sustained in pre-season.

Saints coach Ross Lyon had stated earlier this week Fisher wasn't ready to return.

But Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury said today: “Their best side is going to play tomorrow night.

"Sam Fisher, an insider has got to us and we expect him to play as well, so they are going to be a pretty full strength side.”

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Popular Presti A Chance

Widely-owned $145k Collingwood defender Simon Prestigiacomo could return for the Pies this weekend against St Kilda.

Presti, owned by over 24,000 DTers, missed Collingwood's win over Melbourne with a quadriceps problem.

Collingwood footy manager Geoff Walsh said: "He trained today and I think he's a reasonable chance of getting up.

"It'll only be a six-day turnaround so any session on the track won't be that big anyway.

"He did what the medical boys wanted him to do today, so we'll just how he pulls up later in the week.

"He did everything that was asked of him today, so he's on target."

$294k defender Ben Johnson will definitely miss the Saints after a kneecap injury. But the official diagnosis is better than expected with Johnson to miss only around a month of footy.

Walsh acknowledged $216k defender Tyson Goldsack is working his way back after viral meningitis, while cheap $128k fwd Sean Rusling isn't far off either after a run in the VFL.

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No Pies Return For Sam Fisher

St Kilda's popular $373k defender Sam Fisher isn't likely to make his return from injury against Collingwood this Friday.

Fisher, owned by almost 11,000 DT coaches, has been out of action after sustained an ankle injury in pre-season.

Saints coach Ross Lyon commented today: “He hasn't trained with the group yet to this point.

"He rehabed yesterday and I think he went okay, but today he isn't training with the group.”

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Hooper Gone, Lewis Touch-And-Go

Hawthorn's injured pair Rhan Hooper (hamstring) and Jordan Lewis (ankle) have received contrasting news with the former gone for 3-4 weeks while the latter faces a test for next week.

$411k mid Lewis is owned by 3000 DT coaches, while $237k fwd Hooper is owned by over 4000 coaches.

Hawthorn's Chance Bateman said today: “Both are being assessed today, but I'm pretty sure Rhan will be out next week and with Jordan we'll just have to wait until later on in the week after he's assessed today and see how he improves during the week.”

Hawks coach Alistair Clarkson said on Monday after the game: "Hooper did his hamstring in the first two minutes of the game."

Clarkson added: "He (Lewis) tweaked an ankle, so he could've nearly come back on, but with a six-day break and being uncertain about the injury, he shouldn't be a long-term thing."

Also, in a press release from the Hawks today, $446k midfield Brad Sewell is said to be 2-3 weeks away from a return after a shoulder injury.

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McVeigh Battling Infection

Essendon cheap $268k midfielder Mark McVeigh appears unlikely to play next weekend after being hospitalised with an infected arm.

McVeigh, who had a troubled 2009, is owned by almost 14,000 DT coaches.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights said: “Mark is still struggling a little bit.

"His fever has come down but he's obviously still in recovery mode and he'll be in hospital until he feels good enough to come out.

“It's not an ideal preparation for the week ahead and we've just got to monitor that with our medical staff and Mark as the week goes on.”

When asked if McVeigh was a chance to play Knights was cool in response.

“It is probably tough to say at the moment," he said. "If he stays in hospital for another day or two it is probably unlikely, but if he gets out this afternoon we'll have a look at it.

"It's just one of those scenarios. We'll make a decision on that probably tomorrow.”

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