Brisbane Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney will miss the AFL grand final after his serious shoulder injury was treated by paramedics during Saturday night’s win over Geelong.
The 30-year-old was in agony as he suddenly called for medical attention while play continued around him late in the first quarter of the preliminary final.
He had suffered a dislocated shoulder attempting to tackle Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins on centre wing.
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McInerney returned after receiving treatment, and likely a painkilling injection, for the start of the second quarter.
But his brave attempt to play on was cut short in the third quarter when his shoulder gave way for a second time.
It was first thought he was taken to hospital, but Brisbane later confirmed he was treated by paramedics at the MCG.
“He is flying back to Brisbane with teammates tonight but is highly unlikely to be up for selection … leaving Darcy Fort as the No.1 ruck in the grand final,” said 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary.
With the Lions going on to defeat the Cats by 10 points, McInerney has already been ruled out of next week’s grand final — Brisbane’s shot at redemption after losing last year’s decider to Collingwood — as a result of the injury.
“I’d probably reckon when you double dislocate your shoulder in a preliminary final you’re not going to be playing in the grand final,” Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said.
“It’s a real pity because he’s just been so enormous for us. His growth as a leader from where he was five or six years ago to where he is now, what he means to the team.
“It’s just such a real pity … he keeps it pretty simple but he’s a much-loved character in our footy club.
“It’ll be a downer for us that he can’t play in the grand final but I know the boys will probably find a way to use that as a dedication for the game as well.”
McInerney had 28 hitouts and 10 clearances in last year’s grand final defeat against the Magpies.
Brisbane board member Leigh Matthews, who coached the club to their premiership three-peat from 2001-03, said in 3AW commentary on Saturday night that McInerney is “one player you can’t replace”.
Joe Daniher was forced to take on the No.1 ruck duties in McInerney’s absence against Geelong.
“(Daniher) was huge. The great thing is that everyone’s determined to play a role and give yourself to the team,” Kai Lohmann told Channel 7.
“That’s what he did tonight, I’m sure he’ll get praised during the week.”
The Lions will likely recall Fort, who has played just two games this year, for the decider but Fagan also suggested Henry Smith, who made four appearances late in the season, could be the man to come in.
Fort had 27 hitouts against GWS in his last senior outing but was a key presence in the VFL as Brisbane’s reserves reached the preliminary finals.
He had 68 hitouts in a qualifying final win over Footscray while in the last game of the home-and-away season he had 30 hitouts and two goals.
Smith had 53 hitouts in the preliminary final defeat to Werribee and kicked a goal in each of the Lions’ first two VFL finals.
“We’ve got players ready to come in,” Fagan said before shutting down the idea of trying anything out of the box.
“I would’ve thought we’ll probably go traditional (with a No.1 ruck). I haven’t done selection for next week yet! I think we’ll probably go conservatively.”
Meanwhile, Brisbane’s star midfielder Lachie Neale has backed himself for next Saturday as he continues to battle a foot injury.
The dual Brownlow medallist had 31 disposals, 12 clearances, five tackles and a goal assist despite admitting he “can’t feel it at the moment”.
“The docs and our medical staff have probably been managing it for eight, nine weeks now,” he told Channel 7.
“Because it’s finals it gets mentioned. I haven’t done much training for a long time, I’ve been on the same program and it’s been working.”
– with AAP