injuryupdate
04-07-2004, 04:13 PM
Injuries to the leading AFL and NRL Premiership contenders are starting to take on greater importance, given the known correlation between having the vast majority of star players available and winning matches - particularly finals. Therefore the injury to Justin Koschitzske appears to be of significant impact to St Kilda. Koschitzske has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks with a dislocated elbow, and has had surgery to screw back an avulsed piece of bone from the joint. Read more at Real footy. Whilst this may seem a huge blow, this sort of injury can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. An elbow injury like this is certain to recover in time for the finals. Koschitzske will also have the benefit of being able to run early in his rehab in order to keep his fitness up, but he will be able to manage any niggling leg injuries (that the majority of players are carrying from this part of the season onwards). For a team struggling to make the finals - say Collingwood - an injury to a gun player like this at this stage of the year would be devastating. St Kilda, on the other hand, are playing on cruise control at the top of the ladder and will be anxious to manage their list to get the team as fit as possible coming into September.