WEST Coast's match committee faces a crunch call this morning when it decides whether to risk key midfielders Ben Cousins and Chris Judd for tonight's game against Richmond at Subiaco Oval.
Judd has continued his weekly battle to manage a serious groin injury that forced him to play as a forward pocket against the Kangaroos last weekend, and he spent yesterday walking laps while the rest of the team trained. The premiership captain has barely trained for weeks and appeared in pain when he kicked the ball last week.
While Judd has been in doubt for weeks, Cousins' injury is a fresh drama. The former captain has carried hamstring soreness since injuring the muscle five weeks ago and failed to complete the warm-up yesterday before feeling for his leg and leaving the field.
West Coast football manager Steve Woodhouse denied the Brownlow medallist had strained the muscle but said the match committee would wait until just hours before the game before deciding whether he would play. Adding to the drama, Cousins is also battling an ankle injury.
Richmond assistant coach David King and director of coaching Brian Royal kept a close eye on the star duo at training and Tigers' coach Terry Wallace said the club felt Judd was more likely to play than Cousins.
"He didn't look too upbeat so we would be more likely to think that Juddy will play and that Ben looks a little bit doubtful," Wallace said. "You always plan for them to play, so we'll go in with all our plans the same as they've been all week."
■ The Brisbane Lions have received a serious blow on the eve of their match against Sydney, losing important defensive runners Joel Macdonald and Troy Selwood.
Selwood has not fully recovered from a shoulder injury received against the Kangaroos in round 18, while Macdonald spent time in hospital this week with a virus that has affected his kidney function.
Both are expected to resume next week, but that might be too late for the Lions, who have already lost small forward Rhan Hooper to suspension and need to win their three remaining games to secure a place in the final eight. Richard Hadley, Justin Sherman and Scott Harding have been recalled.
However, the Swans also have their worries, losing Leo Barry and Tadhg Kennelly.
"Kennelly and Barry have been key parts of their whole defensive structure, and obviously Kennelly gives them some run, so I guess that's good news for us. Tadhg Kennelly, he is a wonderful player for them," Lions coach Leigh Matthews said.
The extent of the problem is not known, with coach Paul Roos saying the Irishman had scans last night and will be assessed next week. Roos is preferring to focus on the game against the Lions, which sixth-placed Sydney need to win to maintain its late push for a top-four berth.
"At this stage we really don't know how long the injury will keep Tadhg out," Roos said. "Our major focus at this stage is on tomorrow night's game against the Lions."
WEST AUSTRALIAN, AAP
