Bungaree player Jackson Murphy (FILE).
INJURY will deprive Bungaree’s Jackson Murphy of a crunch finals encounter for the second year in a row.
Murphy, who represented the Central Highlands Football League at interleague level this season, suffered a broken collarbone during the second quarter of last weekend’s semi final victory over Newlyn.
The injury occurred in the same section of the Waubra oval as the hamstring tear that ended his campaign in last year’s elimination win over Beaufort.
Demons coach Greg Middleton confirmed Murphy’s season was over, meaning he will miss this Sunday’s preliminary final against Daylesford and a possible start in the grand final.
Middleton said it was a disappointing outcome for both Murphy and the club.
“He’s been at the club his whole life, the seniors are in a good position playing finals and he going to miss out on it again. That’s footy, unfortunately,” Middleton said.
“He’s a really good, consistent contributor, but we don’t rely on one person in the side at all.”
The midfielder/forward was replaced in last night’s selected team by Nicholas Weightman and Chris Morley, with the Demons naming an extended interchange bench of five players.
Meanwhile, Daylesford made two additions to its side, selecting Cade O’Brien and Justin Watkins into a squad of 24.
The two teams will lock horns at Dunnstown, with the other preliminary final taking place between Buninyong and Hepburn at Learmonth tomorrow.
tim.oconnor@thecourier.com.au
