Can Wanganeen last the season?

[Danny]

Sun Herald
Michael Horan
23/8/04

Gavin Wanganeen's long-running shoulder problem flared again against Collingwood on Friday night.

The shoulder keeps popping out and needs corrective surgery, but remains a case of just putting up with it until the season is over and have the necessary work done then.

"When it pops out, his arm is useless for a few minutes, but Port continues to take the risk of playing him with the shoulder strapped up," Larkins said.

"It has been going on for most of the season.

"To have the corrective surgery would put him out for three months – that's the issue – so there nothing else to do but play on with it until the season is over."

[injuryupdate]

He should definitely keep playing given that Port have a chance to play in the Grand Final. Probably Francou should make a comeback from his knee reconstruction as well. It's one thing not wanting to do further damage, but Grand Finals are very rare (in Port's case they have never made an AFL Grand Final) and so if you are 80% right you should play.

[injuryupdate]

Worth mentioning that Wanganeen kicked the winning goal against St Kilda to put Port into the Grand Final. Definitely looks as though it was the right decision to keep playing him.