Victory star ruled out of Hyundai A-League Grand Final

Melbourne Victory star Rhys Williams has ruled himself out of Saturday’s Hyundai A-League Grand Final against Newcastle Jets due to injury.

The defender was a late omission from Victory’s Semi-Final win over Sydney FC after suffering a calf complaint in the warm-up.

And with less than six days between matches, Williams has made the decision early to help his teammates’ preparations for the decider at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Rhys Williams (Centre) has been ruled out of the Grand Final due to injury.

 

The 29-year-old, who has suffered two serious Achilles injuries in the past, revealed he explored the possibility of playing with an injection before opting to rule himself out.

“It’s the first thing I asked, ‘is there any way I can play?’ They said I can have an injection to take away the pain, but it’ll take away the power,’’ Williams told the Herald Sun.

“I had a chat with the coaching and medical staff before deciding to rule myself out. I didn’t want to let the team down, needing to come off after five minutes if something goes wrong – it makes it easier for the team and the players to prepare.

“I would’ve run the risk of hurting other things and it was the same side as Achilles (which he tore twice), it was too much of a risk.”

In another blow for Victory, young attacking weapon Christian Theoharous is in doubt for the Grand Final after suffering an ankle injury late in the win over Sydney FC.

The 18-year-old was crunched in a tackle by Sky Blues defender Luke Wilkshire and was reportedly spotted in a moonboot on Monday.

Christian Theoharous