Johnson ruled of NAB Cup

Collingwood has suffered their second major injury blow this week with news that veteran defender/midfielder Ben Johnson has been ruled out of the NAB Cup following suffering a hamstring injury.

Just days after fellow premiership player and veteran Alan Didak suffered an abductor injury ruling him out for the next month, Johnson, 30 has also been ruled out for a month after tearing his hamstring.

The 13-year veteran suffered the injury during a training session at Gosch’s Paddock on Wednesday and scans revealed the veteran of 224 AFL games has a grade one strain.

“Unfortunately for Ben scans confirmed a hamstring strain, and he will now go through a rehab program with the aim of being back into full training within three to four weeks,” Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh told the club’s official website.

In other AFL News:

- Midfielder Nathan van Berlo has been retained as Adelaide Crows captain with experienced duo in Scott Thompson (vice-captain) and defender Ben Rutten (deputy vice-captain) named as his deputies

- Rookie senior coach Brenton Sanderson made the announcement after pre-season training on Thursday which also included the news that youngsters Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane (both 21-year-olds) have also been included in the leadership group

- Another team in Richmond also announced their leadership group with the likes of superstar forward Jack Riewoldt and midfielder Daniel Jackson added to the group which will once again be lead by captain Chris Newman with up and coming star Trent Cotchin as his vice-captain

- Essendon has placed injury-plagued big man Scott Gumbleton and veteran midfielder Brent Prismall on the long-term injury list