Tasmania suffered a huge blow in their preparations for Saturday’s interstate clash against Queensland with ace full-forward Brett Geappen injured and ruled out.
Monday 7 June 2010
Tasmania suffered a huge blow in their preparations for Saturday’s interstate clash against Queensland on the Gold Coast with full-forward and captain Brett Geappen injured on Saturday.
The Clarence captain-coach has averaged almost seven goals per game in the Tasmanian State Football League, but injured his neck playing against North Launceston on Saturday and was immediately ruled out.
An experienced campaigner, Geappen spent the night under observation in hospital.
“It’s reasonably serious,” Tasmanian coach Matthew Armstrong told local media outlets.
“He lost a bit of feeling in his hands … so I don’t want to take that risk and obviously he doesn’t want to take that risk.”
Geappen was an important part of the Tasmanian line-up and a ready-made replacement for Justin Plapp, who torched the Maroons with six goals in last year’s loss to the Apple Islanders in Hobart.
Launceston’s Scott Stephens and Clarence’s Cameron Thurley, who both performed strongly in front of Queensland forward scouts in matches over the weekend, will co-captain their State.
Aware of the big Southport ground and fine south-east Queensland weather, Tasmania are set to bring just one recognized ruckman with them and rely heavily on speed to match the locals.
Launceston ruckman Andre Miar was an unexplained absentee at the Tasmanians’ training run yesterday.
Queensland will announce their 27-man squad today, with four to be omitted before Saturday.
