The Gold Coast Suns were dealt a major blow on Tuesday when it was confirmed that co-captain and number one ruckman Jarrod Witts had sustained a season-ending ACL injury.
Witts’ absence leaves a gaping hole in his position with the club’s other recognised ruckmen Zac Smith and youngster Matt Conroy also both injured.
To counter those key absences, GM of footy Jon Haines has named an unlikely trio who have been earmarked to step up against Carlton this weekend and for the ensuing weeks thereafter.
“Chris Burgess showed some really positive signs for us on the weekend in that second key position role forward but also when he got the opportunity on-ball,” Haines said on Sportsday.
“Caleb Graham, who has been a key defender primarily for us over the last couple of years, played ruck in his under-18 pathway and has shown some attributes in that area. We feel Caleb can potentially play a role.
“We saw Hugh Greenwood pinch-hit as second ruck on the weekend. We feel like we’ve got some options in the short term.”
Haines admits the trio will have to shoulder the ruck burden for at least the next three matches before Smith is available again, while admitting that the club will likely be active in the Mid-Season Draft.
“There’s probably two distinct phases that we’re looking at,” he added.
“Zac Smith is working through a PCL injury at the moment and he’s in line for Round 7 or 8 in terms of being available for AFL selection. He’s obviously a recognised, specialist AFL ruckman.
“Post that, we’ve got the Mid-Season Draft that we’ve already begun doing some work with, which is early June.
“They’re probably the two phases that we’re looking at. What we can do in this next four to five weeks in terms of coverage and then once Zac’s back, what we can do post that.”
Between them, Burgess (191cm), Graham (195cm) and Greenwood (191cm) have won a career total of 23 hitouts, while Carlton’s starting ruckman Marc Pittonet (202cm) already has 83 from three games this season including 28 last weekend.
The Suns take a 1-2 record into this weekend’s meeting with the Blues at Metricon Stadium before taking on top two teams the Western Bulldogs and Sydney in Rounds 5 and 6.