Cooney will be fit for Friday: Morris

ALL-AUSTRALIAN defender Dale Morris believes teammate Adam Cooney will certainly overcome a virus in time for Friday night's preliminary final with Geelong.

Cooney was absent from Monday night's All-Australian awards in Melbourne owing to the illness, and has been banished from the club until he is over the worst.

Morris, who along with Cooney was named an All-Australian player for 2008 during the evening, said his teammate is sure to recover in time for Friday night's crucial clash with the Cats.

"He's just a bit sick, but I'm sure he would have loved to be there and go up on stage," Morris said.

"The team comes first so he's stayed home. He'll be fine. He'll be in bed, being looked after and he'll be right.

"We've only had recovery this week so far and he's been pretty sick and they didn't want it to get around the club, so they've really monitored him and kept a close eye on him.

"He'll be there Friday night. Definitely."

Football manager James Fantasia said Cooney is also battling a sore knee but is expected to return to training on Wednesday.