AFL 2022: Blues defender Tom Williamson steps away from Carlton, the game

A Blues defender took a leave of absence a month ago. Now the club and him have parted ways.

Michael Hurley could be back sooner than first thought. Picture: Michael Klein

Carlton defender Tom Williamson and the Blues have agreed to part company in a mutual decision announced on Saturday.

Williamson took a leave of absence from the club early last month to work on some personal issues, but further discussion resulted in a decision by the 23-year-old to step away from the Blues and the game.

In a statement released, the Blues stressed they would continue to support Williamson in whatever way they could.

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Tom Williamson is set to step away from the club. Picture: Michael Klein

“The Carlton Football Club can confirm it has been having ongoing discussions with Tom Williamson since he undertook a leave of absence from the Club in early June,” the Blues said in a statement.

“As a result of these discussions, it has been mutually decided that Williamson will step away from AFL football for 2022 and depart the football club.

“The Club will continue to work with Williamson, the AFLPA and Williamson’s management to ensure he continues to receive the necessary support he needs moving forward.”

Williamson managed 44 games for Carlton after being drafted as pick 61 in the 2016 draft, but had not played a senior game this season.

He was the medical sub in Round 1, but was not used in the match

The Blues said last month they had been supporting Williamston “over several months” as he worked through a few personal issues and his well being.

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Luckless Clark set for another stint on sidelines after collision

Wounded Saint Hunter Clark faces at least a fortnight on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a compound nose fracture from Friday night’s sickening collision with teammate Dan Butler, according to St Kilda captain Jack Steele.

Clark went to hospital soon after helping his team sing the theme song following the Saints’ first win in four matches.

Steele said he believed Clark had already had surgery and faced a short period on the sidelines, but praised his courage in the 15-point win over Carlton.

Clark is expected to miss big games against Fremantle and Western Bulldogs.

Hunter Clark after Friday night’s match in the aftermath of the headclash with teammate Dan Butler. Picture: Getty Images

“I’d say he is feeling fairly sore at the moment,” Steele said of Clark on SEN. “I think he’s already been in for surgery (on Saturday morning) to get it fixed up.”

“We’re definitely feeling for Hunts because he has had a few incidents like this, he had his broken jaw last year and he had his AC joint at the start of this season.

“I’m not sure what it looks like (in terms of his unavailability) but I think it will be a couple of weeks at least.”

Steele said defender Dougal Howard would be assessed for the knee soreness that saw him subbed out after half time.

“He’s had a few troubles with that knee over his career and he might have had a bit of cartilage floating around,” Steele said.

“I don’t know if it’s as serious as it looked. But I think they are going to get a scan and just see what it comes back with.”

Family time can mend Doggie’s latest setback

- Nick Smart

The Western Bulldogs are cautiously optimistic star midfielder Adam Treloar will avoid a lengthy hamstring lay-off following Thursday night’s loss to Brisbane.

Treloar did not fly back to Melbourne with his teammates on Friday, instead taking advantage of the club’s eight-day break to stay in Brisbane with his Queensland-based wife and child.

A club spokesman said Treloar had pulled up reasonably well on Friday and they were fairly confident he had just suffered just hamstring tightness.

Treloar, who has a history of soft tissue injuries, felt his hamstring late in the game but was able to play the game out.

He’ll return to Melbourne in the coming days and will be further assessed by club medicos, where it’ll be decided if a scan is required.

At this stage he has not been ruled out of next Friday night’s clash with the Swans at the SCG.

Adam Treloar suffered hamstring tightness in the loss to the Brisbane Lions.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said ruckman Tim English (concussion) was all but certain to face the Swans after missing the past two matches.

“We think Tim will probably be right to go next week,” he said.

“I can’t say that with 100 per cent certainty but that’s the plan.

“We’ve been conservative and given him another week to make sure he’s OK.

“I had a conversation with him the other day and he was feeling good and training.

“He’s missed a little bit of work but he should be fine and available for selection.”

Defender Caleb Daniel (knee) won’t be back for ‘two to three weeks.’

“He’s had an arthroscopy and they’ve had to do a bit in there, so he won’t be available this week,” Beveridge said.

Cam Rayner is tackled by Treloar at The Gabba on Thursday night.

The Dogs’ 41-point loss at the Gabba pushed them outside the top eight on percentage with a brutal run of games ahead.

Star Bailey Smith will miss one more match through suspension for conduct unbecoming after photos and video emerged of him taking an illicit drug.

“He’s training with the group and he’s a bit frustrated and obviously looking forward to playing again, but he’s doing the work,” Beveridge said on Thursday night.

When Bombers star’s set to make shock comeback

Essendon veteran Michael Hurley is on the verge of an inspirational comeback almost two years since last playing a senior game.

The defender, who failed to play a game last year due to serious complications from a hip infection, moved superbly at Tullamarine this week when he joined his teammates on the track.

The 31-year-old was hospitalised and lost more than 10kg amid fears he would even lose a leg and never play again.

Although, the 32-year-old is set to make his return through the VFL in a fortnight barring any further hiccups.

Michael Hurley moved well at Essendon training.

“I don’t want to put the mozz on him, but hopefully we’ll see him back pretty quickly,” Bombers coach Ben Rutten said.

“He’s ahead of where’s he been in the past where he’s had those couple of setbacks, but we’ll see him soon.”

Star Darcy Parish will make a welcome return for the Bombers when they do battle with the Swans at the SCG on Saturday.

“It’ll be great (to have Parish back),” Rutten said.

“He’s obviously missed the last couple of weeks, so to get him back in the team is great.

“He’s had a really good week to 10 days and he’s done a fair bit of training throughout that period.

“He was touch and go last week, but it’s good to get him back in the team.”

Darcy Parish will bolster the Bombers’ midfield. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is the other inclusion, and Rutten said he deserved his recall.

“He’s got a good body of work together in the VFL and he’s really improving his craft,” he said.

“He’s becoming a really consistent player for us, so we’re really pleased to get him back in the team.”

Young gun Ben Hobbs has been omitted, but he’s being managed.

“He’s played 10 or so AFL gams in a row and he’s basically learning a forward role at AFL level, so he’s done a fantastic job with all that,” Rutten said.

“And part of our planning with some of our first year players, it’s a big ask given the lack of footy they’ve had the past few years to be able to consistently back up week after week.

“But we’ll see a lot more footy from him in the back half of the season.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Blues defender Tom Williamson steps away from Carlton, the game