ST Kilda’s ruck stocks were dealt a huge blow on Saturday, with Justin Koschitzke to miss up to six AFL matches with a fractured skull.
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Koschitzke was flattened by a hip-and-shoulder from Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Giansiracusa in Saturday’s match at Telstra Dome.
Immediately after the match, coach Grant Thomas said Koschitzke was not believed to have suffered any serious damage.
But after being taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, scans showed a fracture to the base of his skull.
The club said he was expected to miss four to six matches and would spend two days in hospital under observation.
It continues a bad injury run for Koschitzke, who missed the opening three rounds of the season with a knee injury and was again sidelined in round five with a thigh strain.
His absence will hit the Saints in what is perceived as their weakest point — the ruck.
Potential back-ups Cain Ackland and Barry Brooks have both been struggling for form and also have recently overcome injuries.
Fremantle’s ruck stocks will also be severely tested, after the club’s giant No.1 ruckman Aaron Sandilands sustained a broken jaw in Saturday’s win over West Coast at Subiaco.
Sandilands clashed with Mark Seaby in the second quarter and is set to miss up to eight games.
It leaves the Dockers with few options, particularly as Justin Longmuir missed Saturday’s match with a knee injury.
The Western Bulldogs’ ruck stocks took another hit, with Wayde Skipper a late withdrawal from Saturday’s match against St Kilda with a stress fracture in his foot.
Adding to the Dogs’ big-man injury crisis, first-gamer Cameron Wight, who replaced Skipper, rolled his ankle and is in doubt for next week’s match against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
There are now seven players 193cm or taller on the Bulldogs’ injury list, with 211cm Peter Street their only recognised ruckman still standing.
Melbourne’s Nathan Brown and Essendon’s Scott Camporeale have hamstring injuries and will miss three weeks.