Pies hopeful on Fraser
Collingwood optimistic that ruckman will overcome knee injury for Hawthorn clash
The Magpies are flying after winning their seventh straight match on Friday night, with a final-term knee injury to Fraser their only concern after the thrilling one-point victory over the Western Bulldogs.
While Fraser returned to the field to play out the game and help Collingwood maintain its spot in the top four, the big man is in doubt for this weekend after aggravating an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
“Our docs had a look at him on the weekend,” Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh said on Monday morning.
“He’s got a bit of swelling in the knee that he’s got history with; it’s been a troublesome one for a while.”
Walsh said Fraser would be monitored throughout the week, with the club likely to have a clearer picture in a couple of days on whether he would be fit to tackle the reigning premiers.
“The swelling’s come down again a bit this morning,” Walsh said.
“We’ll just manage it a bit the first two or three days of the week, give him a pretty light program, and by about mid-week, we’ll know where he stands.”
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse will be hoping that his No.1 ruckman overcomes his niggle in time to face the Hawks, who have dominated the Magpies in recent times.
The Hawks, while struggling this season, pumped Collingwood by 65 and 54 points in their two meetings last year.