AFL State of Origin Takes Toll as Sam Darcy Sidelined for Bulldogs
The AFL's State of Origin has delivered another setback, with emerging Western Bulldogs talent Sam Darcy ruled out of the team's official pre-season clash against Hawthorn on Friday night. According to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary, the 22-year-old key position player is still experiencing soreness following Victoria's Origin victory over Western Australia in Perth, which occurred 11 days ago.
Cleary noted that Darcy's availability is now under close observation as the Bulldogs prepare for Opening Round against Brisbane in 10 days. Losing Darcy for any extended period would represent a significant blow to the Bulldogs, who are aiming to secure a finals berth this season. The highly skilled forward was recently ranked number one in Channel 7 expert Kane Cornes' top-50 players list, underscoring his importance to the team's success.
Adelaide Crows Face Further Injury Crisis with Jake Soligo Heart Issue
In a separate development, Adelaide has been dealt another injury blow, with midfielder Jake Soligo managing an irregular heartbeat that requires careful medical oversight. The 23-year-old will not participate in the practice match against Fremantle in Mandurah on Saturday, though the exact duration of his absence from football remains uncertain.
Adelaide released a statement on Wednesday confirming that Soligo participated in the main training session but has been on a managed workload in recent weeks due to the heart condition. The club is collaborating with its internal medical team and external specialists to ensure a safe recovery for Soligo, who is expected to resume training next week.
This news compounds Adelaide's pre-season injury crisis, with key players such as defender Mark Keane, rising star Dan Curtin, superstar Izak Rankine, and midfielders Isaac Cumming and Mitch Hinge all contending with various health issues. The Crows face mounting challenges as they gear up for the upcoming AFL season, with more updates anticipated in the coming days.
