Victory despite injuries

Railways’ 17-point win over Chapman Valley on Sunday has come at a heavy cost, with David Crudeli, Dylan Bentley and Jason Keals all sustaining injuries.

When Bentley (ankle) and Crudeli (hamstring) headed to the bench in the third term, the Blues were left without an interchange as Jesse Moore had already been red carded.

Defender Keals went down early in the first term and, while he tried to return later in the first, it was short-lived and he did not return after the first break.

Early signs aren’t good and it looks as though he may spend seven to eight weeks on the sidelines, although scans will reveal more later this week.

“It doesn’t look good at this stage. It happened in the first five minutes of the game. He went back on but came straight back off again and he’s been to the physio and they say it’s not looking good but until he gets the MRI, we’re not too sure, ” coach Jason Graham said.

“Halfway through the third-quarter we had no bench and were under the pump a bit, with David and Jesse off as well, but hopefully Dylan’s won’t be too bad and he can get up to play this weekend.”

Crudeli looks likely to miss at least two or three games with his hamstring, and the timing couldn’t be worse for the Blues as they prepare to face a red hot and fully fit Mullewa side on Sunday, though star recruit Dylan Wearmouth should be fit to take on the Saints.

Graham was happy to be taking early wins, though was not so pleased with how Railways were getting them.

“The Valley were up and about and jumped us early. We toughed it out but we’re not playing a team brand of footy at the moment. We’re just playing in individual spurts, ” Graham said.

“Whether it’s a newish side and need time to gel, but we’ll find out this week against Mullewa.”

The bye has come at the right time for Northampton as key forward Glynn Verbruggen, ruckman Tyson Drage and defender Beau Gleghorn would all have been in serious doubt to play this weekend.

Gleghorn sustained a heavy cork while Drage hyperextended his knee.

It would be a major blow if he missed many games, with the Rams in short supply of talls.

Verbruggen may fight a fitness battle to be fit to play Towns after the bye after he strained his hamstring in the third term of Northampton’s loss on Saturday.

Towns have injury worries of their own with Brad Muir also straining a hamstring against the Saints, and will likely miss two to three weeks if not more.