Grubber to return after skull break

Erin Pearson
OCEAN Grove Football Club captain James Dalton is recovering well from a fractured skull, according to team members.
Grubbers coach Cameron McGregor said he expected Dalton back on the field within four weeks.
“James is already back at full-time work and getting some very light football training,” McGregor said.
“But he’s still a good month off any good contact sport.”
McGregor said Dalton had escaped long-term injury following the accident during a club reunion last month.
However, the skipper was still dealing with “temporary troubles”.
“James still has limited hearing in his left ear but once the fluid has subsided it’s expected to improve,” McGregor said.
“At the moment he’s contributing off field and around the club as captain.
“He’s been to all the team meetings and team dinners and as far as I’m aware he’ll make a full recovery.
“We hope to have him back playing around round 17.”
Dalton was at Ocean Grove’s Zebra Bar on June 19 celebrating the Grubbers’ 2000 premiership reunion when he fell and hit his head around midnight.
Ocean Grove has suffered a run of serious injuries this season.
Ryan Baker is out with a calf injury, Andrew Strauchan is battling an achillies problem and Mathew Davis is recovering from a knee reconstruction.
McGregor said Baker and Strauchan would probably also return in round 17 along with other players.
“It’s not good having some of better players out but it does gives other players opportunity to play,” the coach said.