The Roos have ruled a line through Delaney’s season, with the East Point veteran succumbing to a neck injury.

He managed just four games in an injury-riddled season and coach Glenn Wilkins said the club had cut its losses and would instead allow him to focus on next year.

“We’ve decided to put Jase on ice for the year,” Wilkins said.

“He’s pinched a nerve in his neck and obviously you don’t want to mess around with that. 

“He’s missed too much footy and it would be too much of a gamble.”

The Roos enter the telling clash against Darley with an opportunity to guarantee a finals berth this year.

They need to win just one of their last two matches for the year and even if they don’t, they will still most likely sneak into the top six.

“We’re going in pretty confident this week, we usually have pretty good tussles with Darley,” he said.

Ruckman Paul Korodenko will likely return through the reserves, while Jordan Staley is a massive inclusions after being released by North Ballarat Roosters this week.

Kodorenko has been named on the bench and Sam Cooper also returns.

For Darley, Ryan Closter will miss after sustaining a calf injury last week, while Shane O’Bree will be unavailable with his Geelong coaching duties.

Leigh Spiteri and Tom Evans come into the side after playing for St Patrick’s College in the Herald Sun Shield last week.

Devils coach Jarrod Edwards said he had virtually ruled out finishing third, with protecting third sport now his priority.

A win this week would almost certainly a third-spot finish.

“I can’t see much changing above us so it’s just about looking after third spot for us at the moment,” Edwards said.

PREDICTION: Darley in a tight one, with East to push them all the way.