Eagles rule out Braun and Jones

Experienced West Coast Eagles midfielders Michael Braun and Rowan Jones have today been ruled out of Saturday's Grand Final against Sydney at the MCG. Both have succumbed to knee injuries.

West Coast coach John Worsfold today declared at a press conference that Braun would not play and then Jones' plight became known this afternoon.

Braun, who left the ground in the opening minutes of last week's preliminary final against Adelaide, has a complete rupture of the bicep femurs tendon where it was torn from the bone.

The popular midfielder, who has not missed a game for the last two seasons, faces surgery on Saturday week. He will spend eight weeks in a splint.

Despite the disappointment Braun was remarkably upbeat about missing the grand final.

"I am disappointed," he said.

"I would love to be out there, but injuries are a fact of football and there's nothing I can do about that.

"It creates an opportunity for another player and I'm sure who ever gets the chance will make the most of it. All I can do now is offer my support to the players who will represent our club."

For Jones, who worked his way into the team late in the season, it is a tough break with scans revealing a grade three tear to a medial ligament. He will not require surgery.

AFL Grand Final
West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans
Saturday September 24, 2005
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Start Time: - 2:30pm (EST), 12:30pm (WA)