Nick Coffield, a Western Bulldogs recruit, is poised to miss another significant amount of time after dislocating his shoulder in Sunday’s triumph over the Gold Coast at Mars Stadium.
The 24-year-old will have surgery on Wednesday, following a visit with a surgeon on Monday afternoon.
Coffield needs a shoulder reconstruction and will be out of action for at least three months, terminating his AFL career after only two games – he played his first game in 938 days against Melbourne in Round One.
The former Saint damaged his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season training session on the same ground in Ballarat in early 2022, and he did not play in the AFL last year owing to calf difficulties.
Last October, the 2017 pick No.8 relocated to the Whitten Oval to begin a new chapter after a difficult few of seasons at Moorabbin.
Coffield completed the full pre-season and won a round one berth in Luke Beveridge’s backline, but is now facing another unpleasant period in the rehab group.
The Northern Knights product underwent shoulder reconstruction in 2019 and is expected to be sidelined until the Bulldogs’ bye in round 15.
Following a dismal start to 2024, the Western Bulldogs responded emphatically against Damien Hardwick’s side, leveling the win-loss record at 1-1 with a 48-point victory in Victoria.
The Bulldogs will now face West Coast – the team who ended the club’s finals hopes in round 23 last year – at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, followed by a challenging run against Geelong during Gather Round, Essendon, and St Kilda.
Gun half-back Ed Richards will be unavailable on Easter Sunday after undergoing concussion tests following an incident in Ballarat.
The 24-year-old was accidently hit in the head by veteran David Swallow during a fourth-quarter fight. The former Gold Coast skipper was not cited by the MRO for the incident.
Recruit James Harmes will be eligible for selection after missing the weekend due to suspension.
Jack Macrae, a three-time All-Australian, demanded a berth in the 23 after being left out for the second week in a row to begin 2024.
In Footscray’s triumph over Greater Western Sydney at Whitten Oval on Sunday, the former vice-captain racked up 46 disposals and 16 clearances.
Following an interrupted month, Category B rookie James O’Donnell will be considered to replace Coffield at the back. The cricket convert was set to participate in round one before sustaining an ankle injury and a concussion in the VFL.
Rory Lobb responded to being dropped from the senior team by striking four goals from 24 hitouts and 13 disposals against the Giants, but he may struggle to reclaim the position from emerging gun Sam Darcy.
