Defensive drama for Magpies, Docherty back on the field for Blues

Collingwood’s defensive depth faces an early test after scans showed mature-aged rookie Charlie Dean will miss six to eight weeks with a fractured foot.

The 20-year-old was earmarked to make his debut in round one as a key defender after experienced defender Jordan Roughead was ruled out of round one following shoulder surgery.

Magpie defender Charlie Dean has a footy injury.Credit:AFL Photos

Dean had performed well in intra-club and practice matches and, with Mark Keane returning to Ireland, was the first choice to replace Roughead.

Magpies football manager Graham Wright said the exact time that Dean would spend on the sidelines would become clearer next week.

“We will know more once Charlie has seen the specialist, but we are expecting that his recovery will keep him out of the selection frame for a number of weeks,” Wright said.

The Magpies will have the chance to experiment with their defensive set-up against the Giants this weekend in their last hit-out before they play St Kilda in round one, with vice-captain Darcy Moore the key plank in their back 50.

The news was better for Carlton, with former co-captain Sam Docherty playing with the Blues’ VFL team at Casey Fields on Thursday afternoon.

It is his first official game since taking a break in August last season to start chemotherapy for a second time after a recurrence of testicular cancer.

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