Former St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary’s rotten run with injuries returns in his first season back in the Bendigo league. Read about his latest setback.
AFL: Finals are a realistic possibility for Richmond after securing their third straight win over St Kilda at the MCG in round 14.
Geary, who has returned to his original club after an injury-riddled 207-match career with St Kilda, was helped from the ground just before three-quarter time with initial fears he had suffered another serious shoulder injury.
But a double break in his left arm will still see him miss most, if not all, of the season in a cruel blow for Eaglehawk, which had lost its three previous matches by a combined seven points.
“Everyone is really feeling for Jarryn at the minute given his history with injury,” Eaglehawk coach Travis Matheson said.
“He’s such a resilient person, but no doubt, he will still have a big impact on our season, albeit from the sidelines.”
Eaglehawk’s Kallen Geary tackles Sandhurst’s Noah Walsh. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Geary loomed as a match winner when he kicked back-to-back goals in the third term to help Eaglehawk open a 12-point lead at the last change, with the first of his goals following a towering mark near the 50m arc.
Eaglehawk kicked the first goal of the final term into the breeze, but Sandhurst booted the next three goals with a sensational long goal on the run from captain Lee Coghlan putting the Dragons in front by a point.
Eaglehawk’s Jarryn Geary marks in front of Sandhurst defender Isaac Ruff. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
One of Eaglehawk’s best players on the day, Noah Wheeler, had a chance to win the game late, but his set shot from 45m drifted left and tied the scores, 9.10 (64) apiece.
The Borough slipped to fifth on the ladder with the draw ending Sandhurst’s unbeaten start to the season.
“The result was certainly not what either team was hoping for,” Matheson said.
“It was a fantastic game of footy.
“For us it gives us plenty of confidence in regards to what our group is capable of.”
Sam Conforti and Lachlan Tardrew played their second matches of the season for Sandhurst with their respective VFL teams, Essendon and Collingwood, having a bye.
Eaglehawk’s Charlie Hillier celebrates a goal. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Both were in the best players along with James Coghlan and Zac Pallpratt, with the only downer being a hamstring injury to Andrew Collins.
“We had one eye on the fact it was season-defining for them,” Sandhurst co-coach Bryce Curnow said.
“To be a game and a half clear on top halfway through the season is an amazing achievement.
“But if we’re comfortable with that, we need to have a look at ourselves because it doesn’t mean you win a premiership.”
Curnow hasn’t played since being injured against Gisborne in round 7.