North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker says defender Erika O'Shea will not play in Saturday's preliminary final against Melbourne.
The 20-year-old sustained an eye injury in the final match of the home and away season, and was sidelined for the Roos' elimination and semi-final victories.
Not having missed a match since she signed for North Melbourne in May, it was a crushing development for the former Gaelic football star.
"Erika's going OK," Crocker said on Thursday.
"She's not up for selection this week, but she was very, very close.
"We're just trying to get the tick from her specialist, and then our medical team will come together.
"She's keen as mustard to get back out there, but she's not quite there yet."
Crocker said O'Shea could return to the team if the Kangaroos are able to secure passage to the Grand Final.
"From my understanding she had some bleeding to the back of the eye, which had to be corrected," the coach relayed.
"Just so (her specialist) could get into the back of the eye and make sure there's no long-term damage.
"Now it's just a matter of giving her time to get past that, without too much exertion.
"Hopefully, she can fully train next week."
O'Shea's zip and creativity will be missed, but Crocker will count on a settled and experienced line-up for Saturday's contest.
The Kangaroos have gone unchanged in consecutive matches, reflecting an organisational and tactical stability they have long searched for.
Having been able to grind out a result against Geelong, and thrashed the Tigers at Punt Road, they will feel they have the range to challenge and overcome any contender.
Back in September, Melbourne pipped the Roos by just two points in front of 17,851 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Mick Stinear's team has in fact triumphed in the last four meetings, by a combined margin of just 23 points.
Crocker feels his team has progressed enough to close the narrow gap, however.
"In each game both teams have been able to gain a bit of momentum," he recalled.
"Melbourne's been able to hurt us with their efficiency and put some scoreboard pressure on. We haven't been able to do the same to them.
"(Now) I feel we're better equipped forward of the ball to challenge Melbourne's defence.
"Hopefully, that efficiency going forward will be better for us."
On the other end, it will be a challenge to contain their opposition.
The Demons posted the second-highest cumulative score in the competition over the home and away rounds, including six +50 scores in a row.
"Melbourne very much challenge you with their ball movement," Crocker explained.
"It's a real strong pillar in the way they want to play. They like to change the angle, use the corridor, use their hands a lot.
"We're going to have to be up for that, and there's a couple of things we've trained this week that will hopefully hold us in good stead."
