This adds to the Selkirk Roosters’ injury woes with pivotal defender Oli Tate also facing a long stint on the sideline with a hamstring strain – both leaving the field and failing to return in Sunday’s Victorian Football League clash with Geelong at Kardinia Park.

Austin was benched in the second quarter with a dislocated shoulder.

Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said that while Austin’s shoulder was put back in place, the club’s medical staff were concerned there was ligament damage sustained with the dislocation.

Austin is sidelined indefinitely.

FitzGerald said the severity of Tate’s injury, sustained early in the third quarter, would be better known once scans were completed.

Good news for the Roosters is that the strain is the opposite hamstring to the one that hampered Tate’s pre-season but club medical staff were being particularly careful because this injury was the same hamstring that struck Tate down in the 2011 qualifying final.

FitzGerald said initial tests suggested Tate’s strain was not too bad, compared to his past injury.

The Roosters also await news of North Melbourne AFL rookie Max Warren, who is being monitored for delayed concussion after a heavy knock to his head in the fourth quarter against Geelong.

Kangaroos skipper, Andrew Swallow, made his return from Achilles surgery via the Roosters in the VFL last week and, while his progress was deemed a success, the club is yet to determine whether he will have another week in the VFL.

FitzGerald was pleased with his team’s Monday analysis following a close bout with the Cats, as they prepare to meet rampant newcomer Footscray, with former North Ballarat Rebels coach Chris Maple at the helm, at Eureka Stadium this Sunday.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au