Western Bulldogs Ahead Josh Bruce’s return to the AFL was met with a setback, with the 30-year-old suffering a strained hamstring in training this week.
The Dogs revealed the hamstring complaint on Thursday, which will prevent Bruce from ending his senior absence and playing his first AFL game since August last year.
“Josh suffered a minor hamstring injury during the main session yesterday,” fitness boss Chris Bell told the club’s website.
TEAM TIPS: Predicted changes for each round 15 . game
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“After being in rehab for a long time, we don’t want to take any chances and he won’t be playing this weekend.
“We will be assessing Josh over the next week.”
Elsewhere, Gold Coast Suns will be without forward Joel Jeffrey for the rest of the season, with the 20-year-old undergoing surgery on the lateral miniscus in his right knee.
Jeffrey sustained 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 a real shame, Joel added something to our side and felt comfortable at the level,” Dew said on Thursday.
“It’s one that we were really surprised by as it wasn’t too painful (after the game)… but when he stumbled in on Monday my heart sank a little because I was just disappointed for him because he’s put in a lot of work to get to where he is.
“You just want your young boys to play.”
Brisbane have been forced to make three crucial changes ahead of Thursday night’s showdown against Melbourne.
The Lions would already be without Darcy Gardiner (lung) and captain Dayne Zorko (hamstring), but young superstar Zac Bailey will also miss 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 pick 41 in the 2021 national draft and will be the second of his draft class to debut for Brisbane this season, after Kai Lohmann.
Jack Payne and Thomas Berry are coming to the side, for their fourth and second games of the season respectively (excluding an unused sub-appearance for Berry).
Melbourne has regained superstar defender Steven May after being banned from the club for an off-field incident involving team-mate Jake Melksham.
Sam Weideman regains his place in the front line at the expense of Mitch Brown, who is left out, with Toby Bedford also back in the flank. Daniel Turner (face) and Max Gawn (ankle) will miss along with Kade Chandler, who is leaving the squad after being submarine on Queen’s Day.
The teams for the rest of the Round 15 matches will be announced on Thursday at 6:20 PM.
AFL ROUND 15 LUMINAIRES AND TEAMS (All times AEST)
MELBOURNE / BRISBANE LIONS
Thursday 23 June, 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 (bottom)
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 (bottom), Z.Bailey (HS protocol)
WESTERN BULLDOGS v HAWTHORN
Friday June 24, 7:00 PM at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
Still known Thursday evening
HAWKS
Still known Thursday evening
WEST COAST EAGLES v ESSENDON
Friday June 24, 8:40 PM at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
Still known Thursday evening
BOMMER
Still known Thursday evening
CARLTON v FREMANTLE
Saturday, June 25, 1:45 PM at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
Still known Thursday evening
DOCKERS
Still known Thursday evening
GEELONG CATS v RICHMOND
Saturday 25 June, 16:35 in the MCG
CATS
Still known Thursday evening
TIGERS
Still known Thursday evening
SYDNEY SWANS v ST KILDA
Saturday 25 June, 7:25 pm in the SCG
SWANS
Still known Thursday evening
SAINTS
Still known Thursday evening
NORTH MELBOURNE / ADELAIDE CROWS
Sunday, June 26, 1:10 PM at Blundstone Arena
kangaroos
Still known Thursday evening
CROWS
Still known Thursday evening
COLLINGWOOD vs GWS GIANTS
Sunday 26 June, 15:20 in the MCG
MAGIC
Still known Thursday evening
GIANTS
Still known Thursday evening
PORT ADELAIDE / GOLD COAST SUNS
Sunday June 26, 4:10 PM at Adelaide Oval
CURRENT
Still known Thursday evening
SUN TANNING
Still known Thursday evening
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