Two Injured Saints Midfielders To Miss

The Age

Saturday July 22, 2006

By MICHAEL GLEESON

ST KILDA has been forced into two changes for its match against Port Adelaide in Launceston tomorrow, with midfielders Xavier Clarke and Andrew Thompson both ruled out.

The Saints said Clarke had a hip injury, while Thompson was out with a shoulder. Utility Steven Baker and ruckman Jason Blake return to the side that narrowly beat Essendon last week.

Geelong has brought back enigmatic forward Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Henry Playfair for the Telstra Dome clash with the Western Bulldogs, who have included former Lion Travis Baird for his first game with the club.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said the return of Shane Crawford and Richard Vandenberg for the trip to Brisbane would lift the Hawks.

"We went up there in round seven and we were four wins and two losses . . . minus (Trent) Croad, (Danny) Jacobs and Crawford, that unsettled our line-up a little bit. We come into this game with Crawf and Vanders coming back into our side and Croady playing as well and they're all very important to our structure. Two strong leaders and probably one of our most durable players in Croad being available for us will hopefully help us this time we play them."

Crawford is not expected to play a full game following his return from a shin injury but Clarkson expects he will make a "fair contribution".

"It will just depend on how quickly he can regain his touch. He's trained really well over the course of the last two weeks and we could have nearly played him last week, but with these type of bone-related injuries, you want to make sure that it's absolutely cherry ripe."

© 2006 The Age

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