AFL Injury Wrap: Every club’s latest before final pre-season game
Clubs have one last chance to get ready for the season start and a bunch of big names like Dion Prestia, Jackson Macrae and Lachie Neale are in need of game time. Here is where every injury sits.
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There is only one more chance for each team to tune up before the real stuff starts.
In a round of unofficial practice games last week, clubs pulled players in and out of matches and some teams opted to rest a bevy of stars.
But most teams are eyeing a chance to play as close to full strength as possible in the community series round.
The Bulldogs are hoping to call upon Jackson Macrae, if he can prove he is over his hamstring woes.
Star Tiger Dion Prestia is also trying to get some minutes in after his own hamstring issue.
Here is an update of where each club sits, who is in line to get back on field and who is still a while off.
ADELAIDE
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Saturday, against West Coast at Hisense Stadium.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: A trio of first-choice players returning from injury – half-back Wayne Milera (hamstring), key defender Jordon Butts (hamstring) and midfielder Jake Soligo (ankle) – were made to wait another week. Soligo will be touch and go to face West Coast in the club’s last trial, while Milera and Butts are likely to come into the side.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Adelaide rested a host of key players after the third period of the six-term contest against the Power. Jordan Dawson, Taylor Walker, Izak Rankine, Josh Rachele, Matt Crouch and Max Michalanney were among those who were taken off. The Crows are treating the Eagles game as a dress rehearsal for round 1 so expect usual minutes this week.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Nick Murray (knee), Harry Schoenberg (achilles), Rory Sloane (eye).
BRISBANE LIONS
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Thursday, against Sydney at Blacktown.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale (groin) skipped a clash with Gold Coast but the Lions have said publicly he should face Sydney. And Jarrod Berry (shoulder) is tracking to play as well.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Charlie Cameron terrorised the Gold Coast defence with five goals in the first quarter and a bit before tailing out of the game. Hugh McCluggage (corked quad) did play in the Suns clash.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF:Conor McKenna (hamstring) and Deven Robertson (wrist) are in the running for Opening Round. Will Ashcroft (knee) and Tom Doedee (knee) are both further back.
CARLTON
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Wednesday, against Melbourne at Ikon Park.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM:Marc Pittonet, Matt Kennedy and Sam Durdin are looking to play against Melbourne. Zac Williams missed match sim against Geelong, with Blues coaches desperate to get him into action.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Assistant coach Aaron Hamill said “it is on the table” for Williams to play against the Demons. Jack Carroll was one youngster who came on late against Geelong and impressed.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF:Sam Walsh (back) is the major question mark heading into Opening Round. Matt Owies (calf), Corey Durdin (hamstring), Jack Martin (knee) are hoping to be fit by then too. Jacob Weitering (calf) will be a few weeks behind that, while Caleb Marchbank (illness) will take some time. Jack Silvagni (knee) and Alex Mirkov (heart) are also out.
COLLINGWOOD
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Tuesday, against Richmond at Ikon Park.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Held out of their match sim, each of Darcy Moore, Steele Sidebottom and Jack Crisp have been named to face Richmond. Brody Mihocek (calf) and Brayden Maynard (shoulder) have been also been named. Scott Pendlebury (knee) and Jeremy Howe (cork) will both miss the Tigers game but should play opening round.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES:Josh Daicos played a quarter and a bit against the Roos, so will up his minutes against the Tigers. Nick Daicos, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey, Darcy Cameron and Isaac Quaynor were among a group who played a half. Utility Will Hoskin-Elliott appeared to tweak his ankle in the last quarter but the Pies said he was taken off the field as a precaution.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF:Harry DeMattia (finger), Nathan Murphy (concussion), new signing Josh Eyre (hamstring) and Dan McStay (knee). Former cricketer Wil Parker was signed by the Pies in recent days and will likely need a conditioning block.
ESSENDON
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Friday, against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Each of Jordan Ridley, Peter Wright, Ben Hobbs (shoulder) and Nate Caddy (soreness) were held out of a hitout with St Kilda but are expected to face Geelong. Jake Kelly (hamstring), Sam Draper (groin) and Dylan Shiel (foot) are also pushing.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Each of Zach Merrett, Jake Stringer, Todd Goldstein and Zach Reid hit the bench at half-time so should go further against the Cats.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Kaine Baldwin (foot), Tex Wanganeen (foot), Jaiden Hunter (knee).
FREMANTLE
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Friday, against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Jeremy Sharp (illness) was a late withdrawal. Youngster Ollie Murphy (ankle) was injured in the Fremantle intraclub and missed match simulation against West Coast.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Dockers coach Justin Longmuir promised to go as close to full strength as he can against Port Adelaide. Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, Alex Pearce and Sam Switkowski all played just a half against the Eagles. And Caleb Serong, James Aish, Oscar McDonald, Jye Amiss, Hayden Young and Matthew Johnson all pulled out at three quarter-time.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Brennan Cox (leg) is still in the hunt to play in round 1 and Heath Chapman (hamstring) is hoping for an early season return. Josh Corbett (hip) and Sebit Kuek (knee) are out longer.
GEELONG
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Friday, against Essendon at GMHBA Stadium
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: The Cats had almost all of their list out on field against Carlton, with Gary Rohan (back), draftee Mitch Edwards (managed) and tall Joe Furphy (foot) the only absentees.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: With so many players available against Carlton, the Cats were in rotation mode. Patrick Dangerfield, Rhys Stanley and Zach Tuohy missed the opening stages of the game, while mature draftee Shaun Mannagh came off the bench at half-time, but played on through the VFL game that followed.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: The Cats are sweating on scans for Cam Guthrie’s quad, an injury he picked up 10 seconds into the Blues game. Rohan is in doubt for round 1.
GOLD COAST
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Thursday, against GWS Giants.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM:Brandon Ellis (shin) should be back to face the Giants. Jake Rogers was managed and Wil Powell missed due to the birth of his child, Alex Davies missed due to a hamstring.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: There’s high hopes on Rogers so he would be hoping to get a chance to prove himself.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF:Lachie Weller (knee) and Jed Walter (shoulder).
GWS GIANTS
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Thursday, against Gold Coast.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM:Toby Greene skipped the Swans game due to the impending birth of his child. Nick Haynes (ankle), Max Gruzewski (concussion), Conor Stone (hamstring) and Nathan Wardius (soreness) also didn’t play. Each is planning to be fit to face Gold Coast.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES:Darcy Jones was rested from the match sim with soreness but is expected to be right in the Opening Round mix.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF:Isaac Cumming (quad) and Harry Perryman (hamstring) won’t play until round 1, while Finn Callaghan (shoulder) is hoping to be fit by Opening Round. Adam Kennedy (knee) and Braydon Preuss (back) are further back.
HAWTHORN
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Saturday, against Western Bulldogs at UTAS Stadium.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Veteran Luke Breust and runner Karl Amon were rested. Mabior Chol went down early but recovered after a nasty knock.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Suddenly in the mix for an early debut given Hawthorn’s string of backline injuries, tall back Ethan Phillips looked comfortable after entering the first Bulldogs game at half-time.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Will Day (foot), Bailey Macdonald (leg stress fracture), Seamus Mitchell (jaw), Changkuoth Jiath (hamstring), Will McCabe (back), Chad Wingard (achilles), Denver Grainger-Barras (turf toe), Dylan Moore (glandular fever) and James Blanck (knee).
MELBOURNE
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Wednesday, against Carlton at Ikon Park.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Tall Tom McDonald (calf), winger Lachie Hunter (calf) and Charlie Spargo (achilles) missed against Richmond but hope to play against Carlton. Harrison Petty was also absent due to toe soreness, with the Demons to monitor him in the next few days. Taj Woewodin (concussion) and Andy Moniz-Wakefield (thigh) are both expected to be available to face Carlton.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Key men Clayton Oliver and Christian Salem both played in the back end of the seven periods against Richmond and will be watched closely as they push to play in Opening Round. Max Gawn also just played one half.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Shane McAdam has had an interrupted pre-season and looks likely to miss the Carlton game due to calf tightness. Daniel Turner (leg stress fracture), Ben Brown (knee), Tom Fullarton (hamstring), Jake Melksham (knee) are also out. Angus Brayshaw has retired.
NORTH MELBOURNE
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Sunday (March 3), against St Kilda at RSEA Park.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM:Charlie Comben (foot soreness) was held out of a clash with Collingwood, while Hugh Greenwood (ankle) was watching on. Hamish Free (concussion), Bailey Scott (calf), Aidan Corr (knee), Luke McDonald (hamstring) and Eddie Ford (ankle) are hoping to play against St Kilda. Jy Simpkin did play and injured his finger but should be right for round 1.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: A number of Roos sat in the closing stages of match sim, with youngster George Wardlaw (ankle) and recruit Zac Fisher (hamstring) among those keen to get close to a full game in.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Jackson Archer (groin) copped a recent setback, while Griffin Logue (knee) is months away.
PORT ADELAIDE
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Friday, against Fremantle at Alberton Oval.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Hardworking midfielder Willem Drew was sidelined due to a shoulder issue, while key forward Todd Marshall missed because of a foot problem. They are both expected to face Fremantle.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: The Power plans to play their best available team against the Dockers, so it will be interesting to see if high-flying forward Mitch Georgiades and half-back/wingman Josh Sinn are selected. They both did not feature until the second half of the game against the Crows. Port rested Zak Butters, Dan Houston, Ollie Wines, Charlie Dixon, Jeremy Finlayson, Esava Ratugolea, Ivan Soldo, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Miles Bergman and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher after three periods.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Hugh Jackson (hip), Kyle Marshall (back), Tom McCallum (ankle).
RICHMOND
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Tuesday, against Collingwood at Ikon Park.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: The Tigers went conservative against Melbourne, with Dustin Martin, Tim Taranto, and Dylan Grimes rested and all have been named to play Collingwood. Liam Baker (family reasons) has also been named after missing the Dees game. Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Nick Vlastuin (managed) will miss. Liam Fawcett (back) and Jacob Bauer (hamstring) also missed.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Josh Gibcus was taken out of the Demons game at three quarter-time to help him through his first proper hitout in a year, while Tylar Young and Noah Balta also sat the fourth period.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Skipper Toby Nankervis (plantar fascitis) will miss the Collingwood clash and is hoping to be fit for opening round. Sam Banks has calf tightness while Tom Lynch (foot) and Rhyan Mansell (ankle) will not play in opening round.
ST KILDA
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Sunday (March 3), against North Melbourne at RSEA Park.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM:Hunter Clark (face) and Brad Crouch (knee) should play against North Melbourne, while Zak Jones (concussion) and Jack Sinclair (calf) are both expected to be right for round 1. Marcus Windhager broke his hand in the practice match against Essendon but the Saints are confident he will not miss much football.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: Crouch and Clark will need to prove themselves ready for round 1.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Dan Butler (ankle) and Paddy Dow (knee) are touch-and-go for round 1. Jack Hayes (knee), James Van Es (ankle) and Ben Paton (pectoral) will be out for longer.
SYDNEY
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Thursday, against Brisbane Lions at Blacktown.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Recruit Taylor Adams missed the pre-season Sydney derby but is expected back to face Brisbane.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES:Errol Gulden only played just over a half so should expect more time. Dane Rampe and Joel Amartey were both hobbled at times but played out the game.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Callum Mills (shoulder). Luke Parker broke his arm in the match sim and has had surgery.
WEST COAST
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Saturday, against Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Ruck recruit Matt Flynn was a late withdrawal after copping a hamstring tendon injury the day before the Fremantle match sim. He will almost certainly miss the opening rounds of the season. Tyler Brockman (knee) and Jeremy McGovern (soreness) both also skipped the game.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES:Jack Darling (hamstring) missed the Fremantle game but is in line to play against Adelaide, and so is Josh Rotham (groin).
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Elijah Hewett (foot), Dom Sheed (foot), Liam Ryan (hamstring), Rhett Bazzo (groin), Harry Edwards (finger) and Clay Hall (ankle). Reuben Ginbey was concussed in the Fremantle game.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH: Saturday, against Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium.
WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN MATCH SIM: Jackson Macrae could front up against Hawthorn this week, provided gets through a full week of training. James O’Donnell picked up an ankle injury in the first quarter of the first clash with the Hawks but it is minor.
WHO WILL UP THEIR MINUTES: The Dogs split their team almost evenly through eight quarters against the Hawks so will have to crunch that down to fit into four terms.
WHO IS A WHILE OFF: Bailey Smith (knee).
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Originally published as AFL Injury Wrap: Every club’s latest before final pre-season game
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