One in, one Out

Jackie Epstein From: Herald Sun May 05, 2010 1:40PM

THE Bulldogs will be without captain Brad Johnson this week, but get Matthew Boyd back from injury.

Boyd missed Friday night’s loss to St Kilda with a broken hand, leaving Dogs coach Rodney Eade rueing the timing of his injury.


“(It was a) bit disappointing he couldn’t played last week, if it was a Sunday game he might have come up,” Eade said after training this morning.

He confirmed the hard-nosed midfielder would be fit for this Friday night’s clash with Melbourne.

However, Johnson will be missing with a groin injury.

“He won’t play, he’ a little bit tight in the groin. (His year) has been a bit interrupted, he’s getting little niggles. One was the Achilles (tendon) and then the cart incident (Johnson was hit by a trainer driving a drinks cart during training several weeks ago) put him back a little,” Eade said.

“His fitness is pretty good, so from that aspect it’s not too bad. We would think at worst it would be one week.”
Liam Picken is ahead of schedule – back within in five weeks rather than the expected eight. Callum Ward is back in fives weeks.

The Dogs’ coach said he was satisfied with his team’s 3-3 start to the season.

“We’re in the same position as last year. This year, we’ve played better sides to this stage but we would have loved another win.”