Jamie Charman ruled out for rest of AFL season
Andrew Hamilton | June 22, 2009 12:00am
THE Brisbane Lions have been rocked by news ruckman Jamie Charman needs an ankle reconstruction and will not play again this season. It is a major blow to the resurgent club's finals hopes as it will leave rising star Mitch Clark to carry the load.
Clark has been a revelation this season since assuming the mantle as the club's main big man in the absence of Charman and Matthew Leuenberger.
He has battled manfully for the opening 12 rounds and is on track for All Australian selection, but the club is mindful of the wear and tear on his body.
Charman sprained his ankle in the Rd 4 clash with Collingwood and has not played since.
The joint has not responded well to his attempts to return to full training in recent weeks.
"I tried to run on Thursday and it just didn't pull up as we would have liked," he said.
"It's been eight weeks and I feel now I may have been delaying the inevitable, it is disappointing but at least this way it will be right for next season."
Charman had been originally pencilled in for a return after the bye and it was anticipated his frustration at being overtaken by both Clark and Leuenbeger during his absence may have sparked a ferocious second half of the season.
At his best his aggression is a major benefit to the Lions and his ability to work in tandem with Clark was expected to bolster Brisbane's drive to September.
Charman lacks the mobility and finesse of Clark and Leuenberger, but he is a premiership player who still has plenty to offer as an AFL footballer.
Leuenberger, the club's first choice ruckman, is also unlikely to return this season as he rehabilitates his knee after undergoing surgery to repair his lateral meniscus tendon.
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Big loss for the Lions, hopefully Clark can continue to do the job with Brennan helping him out. Also, bad new about Leuenberger who is unlikely to play again this season.
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