Season over for footsore Demon Jack Grimes
A season-ending foot injury to star utility Jack Grimes has dealt a savage blow to Melbourne's finals hopes.
Grimes, considered a future captain, was substituted off during the first quarter of Sunday's 96-point win over Adelaide at the MCG.
"Jack Grimes sustained a navicular stress fracture," the Demons said in a statement released on Monday.
"Jack will see his surgeon tonight to determine the next phase of the injury management.
"At this stage the likelihood is that Jack will miss the remainder of the 2011 season."
Grimes is averaging 19 disposals in six games this season and turns 22 on Wednesday.
It's another massive setback for the 2007 No.14 draft pick.
Injuries have restricted him to just 32 matches.
The 187cm utility missed the last eight games of 2010 with a back injury and only played half a season in 2009 because of a hip problem.
A groin injury limited Grimes to just one game in 2008.
Sunday's win, described by Demons president Jim Stynes as their best for three years, came after 10 days of criticism following their round-six surrender to West Coast.
The Demons face 15th-placed North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday with stiffer tests to come in the following month against St Kilda, Carlton, Essendon and ladder leaders Collingwood.
The Demons must regroup following the loss of Grimes, as coach Dean Bailey continues to battle speculation over his future with the club.
In further bad news for the Demons, Jack Trengove is facing a two-match ban from the AFL tribunal.
Adelaide youngster Patrick Dangerfield was forced off in the third quarter of Sunday's match with concussion after having his head crash into the ground in a fierce tackle from Trengove.
Trengove has been charged by the match review panel with a level-three rough-conduct offence.
The incident was assessed as negligent conduct, high impact and high contact.
The penalty of 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction can be reduced by 25 per cent to 243.75 points and a two-match sanction with an early plea.
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