Becroft on sidelines after carnival injury

North Albany young gun Jake Becroft appears to have escaped a serious knee injury that could have ruled him out for the rest of the Great Southern Football League season.

Playing for Great Southern Storm, Becroft kicked two goals in his side’s first-up win against Northern Suns in the colts division at the Landmark Country Football Championships at Mandurah’s Bendigo Bank Stadium on Thursday before trouble struck.

Becroft landed awkwardly in a contest late in the match against the Suns and played no further part in the carnival.

It was feared Becroft strained a medial ligament in his knee, which could have ruled him out for up to eight weeks, but Kangas coach Craig Dew said the injury did not appear that significant.

“We believe it is only meniscus, so he’ll probably only miss a week,” Dew said.

“All the feedback we’ve had from Jake has been good, but he’ll definitely miss this week and hopefully be right to go against Royals.

“Initially, that’s what they said (medial), which is six to eight weeks, so that’s almost season over.”

Becroft recently won a second-straight Harry Reeves Medal at the Great Southern Colts Carnival and has kicked 18 goals in eight games for the Kangas this season.

The Kangas host Mt Barker on Sunday when GSFL action returns from a two-week break this weekend and Dew confirmed young star Corey Hitchcock would also miss the match as he lined up for Claremont colts in Perth on Sunday, one of a number of Great Southern products who will play a one-off game in the WAFL system.

Dew confirmed captain Graham Ross would be fit to take on the Bulls despite an ongoing hand injury, which was heavily strapped at the Landmark championships.

“There is no break with Rossy, it’s just bruised and tender,” Dew said.

“Apart from Becroft and Hitchcock, we’ve got a full list.

“(The byes) were a blessing for us, we’ve been able to freshen up.

“I said to our boys this is an important fortnight for us, we play the top two sides and it will show us where we sit.

“The Bulls are a big challenge but it comes at a good time.”

Fellow Kangas youngster Braden Retallack, Royals pair Corey Linthorne and Tyron Smallwood, and Albany’s Brandon Woods are also cleared to Claremont colts and expected to face Subiaco.

In the other GSFL matches as part of NAIDOC Round, the Lions face Denmark-Walpole on Saturday and Railways are at home to the Sharks on Sunday.