Leeton-Whitton assistant coach Bryce O’Garey will be back in time to play a part in the Crows’ finals campaign after receiving good news on his injured ankle.
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O’Garey went down with an ankle injury early in Saturday’s win over Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes and was on crutches by the end of the day.
O’Garey initially feared he had broken his ankle given the extreme pain but was informed on Monday night that he escaped with mild ligament damage.
The physiotherapist has informed O’Garey he will miss a minimum of two weeks but should be able to get at least one game in before finals.
The news is a huge boost to the Crows’ premiership hopes with O’Garey one of the best midfielders in the competition.
“It’s a pretty good result,” O’Garey said.
“It’s not the worst. I was a bit worried about it but I looked after it, iced up, rested it and stayed off the beers on Saturday night, which was hard after such a good win.
“I’m hoping to be back for Turvey Park, but if not, Coolamon in the final round.”
O’Garey will miss Saturday’s home game against Wagga Tigers, then the important showdown with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong at Ganmain Sportsground.
The Crows were eyeing third spot after they upset MCUE on Saturday, but GGGM’s win over Collingullie-Glenfield Park on Sunday has now put the Lions in the box seat.
Leeton-Whitton will need to beat GGGM on Saturday week to be any realistic hope of third spot.
They then finish with games against Turvey Park and Coolamon to close out the home and away season.
O’Garey, 28, was best-on-ground in Leeton-Whitton’s drought-breaking grand final win last season and believes anything is possible for the Crows again this year.
“It’s been a bit of an up and down season,” he said.
“We’re trying to find that consistency, a bit like last year. Given the cattle we lost, the amount of debuts we’ve had this year and all the young blokes we’ve got, I’m pretty happy with how we’re going and so is Hodgey and Daniel (Muir).
“Last year we started to play really well at the back end of the year, we started to build so hopefully we can repeat that. I think the other teams know that when we play our best footy, we can match it with them.”
While confident of being back for round 17, O’Garey said he will give it the necessary time to ensure he is 100 per cent.
“I think we might secure fifth spot so I’m not going to rush back close to finals,” he said.
“I’d rather play then than a week or two earlier in the home and away season.”
While they lose O’Garey, Leeton-Whitton hope to regain Tyh Evans and Isaac Houghton for Saturday’s clash against Wagga Tigers.
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