Swifts coach Scott Carey will be more likely than not to take to the field this weekend after suffering a knock to his shoulder last Saturday.
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The 2017 Dellar Medal winner copped a knock to a pre-existing shoulder injury during the third-quarter in Swifts’ win over Pimpinio.
The knock meant Carey could not take to the field again during the game, but the playing-coach said he has been given the all clear to take to the field against Rupanyup this weekend.
“Structurally it is all good. The docs are happy for me to play if I am comfortable with it,” he said.
“I will give it a test and see how it feels. It is still a bit sore at the moment but I am leaning more towards pulling the boots on to play at the moment.”
The Baggies travel to Rupanyup for their second match of the season, a trip that caused the Stawell-based side some headaches last year.
The Panthers hosted the Baggies in the final round of the home and away season in 2017, leading the eventual third-placed side for the majority of the game to only fall short by two goals.
Structurally it is all good. The docs are happy for me to play if I am comfortable with it
- Scott Carey
Carey said Saturday’s game will be a test of where his team is at.
“We only just got over the line in that last game against them and they are much improved this season I think,” he said.
“They have a few extra recruits and have showed glimpses of what they are capable of so it will not be an easy task.
“It will be a big test for us early on in the season.”
The Panthers have started their season with one win and one loss.
The Baggies are likely to go into the clash with the same side that defeated Pimpinio comfortably last Saturday.
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Despite recording no major injuries the Baggies will carry some sore bodies into the weekend.
Carey said playing their first match of the season in wet conditions was always going to leave some players aching.
“There are definitely a few sore bodies. With our first bit of contact it was always going to be the case,” he said.
“Any week it pours down rain you are a bit sorer afterwards. Being our first game of the year the body goes into a bit of shock too.
“We have taken the right steps to recover so we shouldn’t have to make any changes.”
The Baggies have had a whirlwind week to start their season, experiencing some great results on the football fields and netball courts as well as experiencing off-field victories. The state government announced during the week North Park would be allocated $600,000 in funding to help redevelop the clubrooms and update the facilities.
“Everyone is excited with where the club is heading and that is leading to some great performances from all of our teams on the field,” Carey said.