Cody Curtin: Top WA draft prospect to be sidelined for two-to-three weeks because of injury

Top WA draft hopeful Cody Curtin will miss at least the next fortnight as he deals with shin splints. The West Australian can reveal Curtin was a late withdrawal from Claremont’s colts clash against East Fremantle on Saturday as a precaution. It is believed the teenage forward is set to be sidelined for two to three weeks to ensure the hot spots don’t turn in to a fracture, but it is expected he will play again this year. Curtin — who is the younger brother of Adelaide wingman and rising star fancy Dan — is considered one of the best draft prospects out of WA this year as a 200cm, 98kg key position player. He is coming off a six-goal haul against Subiaco last weekend, taking his tally to 14 in four games as well as playing as a forward-ruck for WA in the Under-18 National Championships. The utility played as a defender last year for WA before being part of Claremont’s colts premiership as a forward. Curtin’s Claremont teammate Charlie Banfield will make his WAFL league debut when he turns out for West Coast against Peel Thunder down in Mandurah on Sunday. Banfield is a father-son prospect for the Eagles this season through his father Drew who played in two premierships for the Eagles throughout his 265-game career. WA captain and MVP Fred Rodriguez has continued his strong form since returning for South Fremantle, kicking two goals from 32 disposals and eight inside 50s in a win over Subiaco. Fellow Bulldog and Fremantle Next Generation Academy prospect Toby Whan racked up 27 touches, while forward Ryda Luke booted two goals.