THE AFL fixturing for its final round has delivered a body blow to Albury's chances of securing a crucial double chance for the Ovens and Murray finals series.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Champion veteran Daniel Cross can't play against Myrtleford with Melbourne to play North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon in Launceston.
Cross is the Demons' runner, but will still qualify for finals when he plays in the penultimate round against Wodonga Raiders.
The final round clash against Myrtleford is set to provide a crucial piece in the top-three jigsaw puzzle with both Albury and the Saints still fighting for the double chance during finals.
Albury co-coach Tom McGrath said they had hoped Melbourne was scheduled to play on the Sunday in the final round, enabling Cross to play against the Saints.
IN OTHER NEWS
"Daniel was under the impression because Melbourne is out of finals contention it would most likely play on the Sunday," McGrath said.
"But unfortunately it's on the Saturday and that rules him out.
"So he will play against Wodonga Raiders which will qualify him for finals.
"It would of been nice for him to be able to play two matches in-a-row before finals but that won't be happening now."
Midfielder Alex Jones is expected to miss at least the Tigers' next two matches with a partial tear in his ACL and PCL.
The injury is expected to heal naturally but Jones won't be available against Yarrawonga and Raiders.
Key defender Kieran Ellis re-injured his hamstring at training in the lead-up to the Wangaratta clash and is also not expected back until the final round at the earliest.
Riley Bice made a successful return to the senior line-up on the weekend against Corowa-Rutherglen.
The speedster had been missing since injuring his shoulder during the bruising round 10 loss against Lavington.
Bice is likely to play for GWS reserves on Saturday.
