Western Bulldogs striker Josh Bruce’s return to the AFL has been a setback, with the 30-year-old experiencing hamstring strain in training this week.
The Dogs revealed the hamstring complaint on Thursday, which will delay Bruce from ending his absence from the senior squad and playing his first AFL game since August last year.
“Josh suffered from a slight hamstring strain during yesterday’s main session,” fitness manager Chris Bell told the club’s website.
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“Having been in rehab for a long time, we don’t want to take any risks and he won’t be playing this weekend.
“We will assess Josh for the following week.”
Elsewhere, the Gold Coast Suns will be without striker Joel Jeffrey for the remainder of the season after the 20-year-old has undergone surgery on the lateral miniscus of his right knee.
Jeffrey suffered the injury late in Sunday’s win over Adelaide, but coach Stuart Dew and the club initially thought it was a minor injury.
“It’s such a shame, Joel was adding something to our side and getting comfortable on the level,” Dew said on Thursday.
“He’s the one that really surprised us considering he wasn’t too sore (after the game)… but when he limped in on Monday my heart sank a bit because I was just disappointed for him because he’s done a lot of work to get to where he is.
“You just want your young guys to play.”
Brisbane have been forced into three crucial changes for Thursday night’s showdown against Melbourne.
The Lions were already expected to be without Darcy Gardiner (lung) and captain Dayne Zorko (hamstring), but young superstar Zac Bailey will also miss out on health and safety protocols.
Jimmy Tunstill will make his AFL debut for Chris Fagan’s side after being named on the bench. He was selected with pick 41 in the 2021 national draft and becomes the second in his draft class to make his debut for Brisbane this season, after Kai Lohmann.
Jack Payne and Thomas Berry enter the team, for their fourth and second games respectively of the season (except for an unused under-appearance for Berry).
Melbourne have reunited with superstar defender Steven May after his club was suspended for an off-pitch incident with team-mate Jake Melksham.
Sam Weideman regains his place in the forward line at the expense of Mitch Brown, who is omitted, with Toby Bedford also back in the side. Daniel Turner (face) and Max Gawn (ankle) will be missing along with Kade Chandler, who is leaving the team after being the sub on the Queen’s birthday.
Squads for the remainder of Round 15 matches will be announced Thursday at 6:20 p.m. AEST.
AFL ROUND 15 FIXTURE AND TEAMS (All times AEST)
MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS
Thursday, June 23, 7:20 p.m. at the MCG
DEMONS
B: J.Harmes, H.Petty, S.May
HB: J.Jordon, J.Lever, C.Salem
C: A.Brayshaw, C.Petracca, E.Langdon
HF: B. Brown, B. Fritsch, T. Sparrow
F: A.Neal-Bullen, S.Weideman, C.Spargo
FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Oliver, J.Viney
I/C: T.Bedford, M.Hibberd, J.Bowey, K.Pickett
EMG: A.Tomlinson, L.Dunstan, M.Brown, J.Hunt
IN: S.May, S.Weideman, T.Bedford
OUT: M.Brown (omitted), D.Turner, M.Gawn (both injured), K.Chandler (sub)
THE LIONS
B: J. Payne, H. Andrews, M. Adams
HB: B.Starcevich, D.Rich, N.Answerth
C: J.Berry, T.Berry, H.McCluggage
HF: C.Rayner, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy
F: D.McStay, J.Daniher, C.Cameron
FOLL: O. McInerney, J. Lyons, L. Neale
I/C: D.Robertson, M.Robinson, K.Coleman, J.Tunstill
EMG: C.Ah Chee, J.Madden, D.Fort, R.Lester
IN: J. Payne, T. Berry, J. Tunstill
OUT: D.Gardiner, D.Zorko (both injured), D.Fort (sub), Z.Bailey (HS Protocol)
WESTERN BULLDOGS vs. HAWTHORN
Friday, June 24, 7:00 p.m. at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
Thursday night TBA
FALCON
Thursday night TBA
WEST COAST EAGLES v ESSENDON
Friday June 24, 8:40 p.m. at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
Thursday night TBA
BOMBARDIERS
Thursday night TBA
CARLTON vs. FREMANTLE
Saturday, June 25, 1:45 p.m. at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
Thursday night TBA
DOCKERS
Thursday night TBA
GEELONG CATS v RICHMOND
Saturday, June 25, 4:35 p.m. at the MCG
CATS
Thursday night TBA
TIGERS
Thursday night TBA
SYDNEY SWANS v ST KILDA
Saturday June 25, 7:25 p.m. at the SCG
SWANS
Thursday night TBA
SAINTS
Thursday night TBA
NORTH MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE CROWS
Sunday, June 26, 1:10 p.m. at Blundstone Arena
Kangaroos
Thursday night TBA
CROWS
Thursday night TBA
COLLINGWOOD vs. GWS GIANTS
Sunday, June 26, 3:20 p.m. at the MCG
PIES
Thursday night TBA
GIANTS
Thursday night TBA
PORT ADELAIDE vs. GOLD COAST SUNS
Sunday June 26, 4:10 p.m. at Adelaide Oval
POWERFUL
Thursday night TBA
SUNS
Thursday night TBA