South Barwon hasn’t ruled out experienced defender Chris Hughes featuring in Friday’s GFNL grand final three days after undergoing surgery on a broken jaw.
Hughes suffered the break during the early stages of Saturday’s preliminary final win over St Joseph’s at West Oval following a collision with Jack Buckley.
However, after clearing concussion protocols and reporting no ill effects to medical staff, he returned to play a vital role in the upset 30-point victory.
Hughes, who has played 40 games of a possible 42 games since arriving at South from VAFA club St Bernard’s ahead of the 2023 season, is expected to train in a helmet tonight (Wednesday) in the Swans’ final training run before taking on Leopold.
“He woke up Sunday with a slight egg on his jaw,” coach Mark Neeld told K rock Football.
“Scans revealed a broken jaw, and he underwent surgery where he had a metal plate put in.
“He’s still a chance.”
South will take an unchanged team into the decider if Hughes is right to go.
Those in contention to replace Hughes if he doesn’t play include Tom Bartlett, Andrew Hutchinson, Zac Urquhart, Dustin Burns, and Allthorpe Medal runner-up Tanner Sadler.
K rock’s live and exclusive coverage of the GFNL grand final commences Friday at 12pm via krockfootball.live.
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