An ankle injury has brought a premature end to the debut AFLW season of Irish talent Kate Kenny.
The 22-year-old from County Offaly played the opening seven matches of the season but has been sidelined for the loss to Richmond and the win over the Brisbane Lions, where she was spotted on crutches.
The Cats have confirmed Kenny has a stress fracture.
“It’s looking likely she won’t play in the next couple of weeks,” coach Dan Lowther said at his weekly media conference.
“Just a lingering ankle injury she’s had for a while, but she’s managed it really well.
“A couple of weeks ago, it got to the point where (we said), ‘We have to have a different approach’.
Lowther confirmed a foot injury kept young gun Darcy Moloney out of the Lions clash will also prevent her making the trip west to play Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) as part of Indigenous Round.
“It’s just a bit of a sore foot she’s been managing,” he said.
“She had it in the pre-season well, so she’s got through most of the year without it being too bad.
“But, the last week or so, it’s just given her a bit of irritation.
“She’s a chance for this week after a weekend off.”
Three-time best-and-fairest Amy McDonald (hamstring) only needs to get through training to be on the plane for her first outing since the Week 5 loss to Hawthorn, while Irish hard-nut Rachel Kearns is expected to return from a concussion suffered in the defeat by Richmond earlier this month.
Gabbi Featherston hasn’t been ruled out, with scans coming back positive on a hamstring issue that forced her from the ground during the first half on Sunday.
The window for star forward Chloe Scheer to make an appearance this season is almost closed.
The Cats’ all-time leading goalkicker hasn’t been sighted after pre-season toe surgery.
“It’s touch-and-go,” Lowther said.
“Everything she’s doing from week to week, session to session, suggests that she’s still a chance.
“But, again, it’s going to be a time factor.”
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