INJURIES and availability might prove to be a telling factor in final round Wimmera Football League matches across the region this weekend.
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Problems with knees, ankles, hamstings and lungs appear set to shape teams preparation for the last game of the home- and-away season and week one of finals next weekend.
Injuries have hit Horsham United hardest as the Diggers prepare for tomorrow's clash with Dimboola.
Forward Jarred Combe, ankle, ruckmen Luke Chamberlain, ankle, and Tim Wade, groin, full back Shannon Argall, knee, on-ballers Jye Smith, hamstring, Michael Lienert, unavailable, and midfielder Tyran Bell, hamstring, and Daniel Mooney, calf, are all in doubt.
Combe, Chamberlain and Wade left Horsham City Oval injured during the Diggers' win over Nhill last round. Bell and Mooney suffered their injuries while playing school football for Horsham College on Wednesday. Smith, Argall and Lienert have missed the past two games but could return tomorrow subject to fitness tests tonight.
Dimboola meanwhile has its own injury concerns with versatile Glenn Ross on the sidelines tomorrow. He strained his hamstring against Minyip-Murtoa last Saturday. Robin Kuhne is also serving the second game of a two-match suspension for abusive language.
But defender Daniel Greig, who made a successful return in the reserves last round, is set to come into the side after recovering from a knee injury.
Stawell ruckman Ben Martin will return to the Warriors line-up for a clash with Nhill tomorrow. Martin missed last weekend's win over Warrack Eagles with a lung infection. Travis Nicholson might also be an inclusion after missing a game with a foot injury. Defender Simon Gardner has missed the past fortnight with bruising of the rotator cuff of his shoulder. Coach Dale Power said he hoped Gardner would return for next weekend's qualifying final against Horsham United. And a broken wrist has prematurely ended the season of defender Tom Newton.
Horsham defender Nick Pekin sought medical advice about from Essendon doctor Bruce Reid in Melbourne yesterday. He has rolled both ankles.
Nhill midfielder Aaron Beer will miss the Tigers final match of the home-and- away season. Beer suffered an ankle injury in the Tigers' loss to Horsham United last weekend. But scans cleared him of serious damage.
And Minyip-Murtoa will regain Lachie Jordan, who has missed the past five matches with a hernia complaint, Jarrod Launer, neck, and Craig Wilson, one- week suspension, for tomorrow's clash with Horsham at Horsham City Oval.
