Update On McKernan (and a bit of Buckley)

[Joel]

From RealFooty.com.au (Thursday)
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Kangaroo star Corey McKernan remains in serious doubt for Saturday's match against Collingwood because of a bruised kidney.

McKernan, who bruised his kidney against the Swans on Sunday, was still passing blood yesterday.

Kangaroo media manager Damian Booth said McKernan would obviously not play if the bleeding continued.

But Booth said if the bleeding ceased and McKernan felt well enough, he would play.

He said that once the bleeding stopped, the club would be guided by how McKernan felt. "The ball's in Corey's court a little bit."

He said that even if McKernan did not train this afternoon, it was still possible that he would recover in time to play on Saturday.

If McKernan does not play, the Roos will rely on Matthew Burton and perhaps Evan Hewitt to shoulder the load in the ruck.

Booth said skipper Wayne Corey, who entered last weekend's match under a cloud due to a groin injury, should be fine to play.

MELISSA RYAN reports Magpie captain Nathan Buckley is in doubt for the clash against the reigning premier this weekend after he failed to complete training yesterday because of soreness.

Buckley could train for only 20 minutes yesterday before leaving the track to go inside for gym work. He also did not participate in training on Monday.

Coach Mick Malthouse said the club would use all available time before the game to decide whether Buckley would play. "He's had a fairly torrid five weeks and he's just picked up a bit of a niggler ..."

- with AAP



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CARN THE PIES!!!!!
Collingwood is all about togetherness. "We live or die as a side," Buckley said. "Everything we do now is as a team."