Dr Peter Larkins Says Collingwood Ruckman Darren Jolly Only 20 Percent Chance Of Playing Grand Final Against Geelong Post by: Ronny Lerner 26 September, 2011 - 12:30 PM

(The Slattery Media Group)

Triple M Footy’s Dr Peter Larkins told The Hot Breakfast that Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly is only a 20 percent chance of lining up in Saturday’s grand final against Geelong.

Jolly appeared to badly injure his groin during the Magpies’ epic three-point victory over Hawthorn in the preliminary final at the MCG on Friday night.

Collingwood is playing down the two-time premiership ruckman’s groin complaint as just cramp but the Doc isn’t convinced.

And given the rich vein of form Geelong ruckman Brad Ottens has enjoyed in recent weeks, the loss of Jolly for the Magpies could be critical.

Listen to the Doc’s full medical report. Eddie doesn’t sound too happy about it! (3m 57s):

“I don’t think there’s a great chance (Jolly will play), I think being a new injury that occurred in the last quarter of the game on Friday that he really has to see if he can come through in the early part of the week,” the Doc told Triple M’s Hot Breakfast.

“With groin injuries normally we’re talking about how many weeks they’re going to be (before they play again) not how many days they are.”

“I don’t see him being in a great position.”

“Based on the fact that he was so limited when he came back on (against Hawthorn) and whilst Collingwood said it was just a cramp and a spasm, it really did look like he was more limited than that.”

Dr Larkins reckons All-Australian defender Ben Reid, who also aggravated his groin against the Hawks, is a better chance to take on the Cats this weekend but suggested that naming him in the side wouldn’t come without risk.

“He was definitely restricted really from late in the first quarter when he came off and had some more work on the right thigh and he played out the game and certainly they were confident that they could have him out there to play,” Larkins said.

“But the issue is if he has a recurrence early on in a grand final, is he worse than he was during the prelim because that’s normally the circumstance with that (injury).”

Meanwhile, the Doc had some great news regarding Geelong star Steve Johnson who looked as though he suffered a very serious knee injury during the Cats’ preliminary final victory over West Coast on Saturday.

“It’s progressing as well as can be expected, the scans ruled out any cartilage damage behind his kneecap,” the Doc said.

“Most people with that level of injury in terms of what the scan is showing would be playing with strapping on the following week.”

“It is an agility problem, we just know he’s mercurial with the way he can change direction and that’s really what he has to get through.”

Can Collingwood win this week if Jolly doesn’t play?

 

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