AFL pre-season track watch: Players who have been hit by injury in the lead up to season 2020
Carlton fans were hoping to see homecoming livewire Eddie Betts in Round 1. But a calf injury has come at the worst possible time. Meanwhile, Jack Ziebell was back in the thick of it in a VFL practice match.
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Eddie Betts’ fairy-tale return for Carlton is on hold after the much-loved goalkicker broke down at training yesterday.
Betts, 33, is expected to miss a month of football with a calf strain.
The small forward was set to be one of the feel-good stories of Round 1, even if Thursday night’s season-opener against Richmondis played in front of an empty MCG.
“Given the nature of this injury, Eddie is likely to miss three to four weeks and will be unavailable for selection for thestart of the upcoming AFL season,” Blues footy boss Brad Lloyd said yesterday.
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Betts has been remarkable durable, playing at least 17 AFL games in each of his 15 seasons.
Betts played for the Blues from 2005-2013 and his romantic return to the club in last year’s trade period was one of footy’sfeel-good stories.
But Betts’ homecoming is now on hold and there are no guarantees AFL games will be getting played when he recovers.
The three-time All-Australian averaged 1.1 goals per game against top-eight teams last year and 2.4 goals against teams thatmissed the finals.
ROOS SKIPPER RIGHT TO GO
Glenn McFarlane
North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell has declared himself a certain starter for Sunday week’s Round 1 clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
Ziebell proved his fitness by getting through almost three quarters of a VFL practice match against Collingwood at Olympic Park yesterday that included Magpie young gun Jaidyn Stephenson.
Wearing the No. 6 instead of his usual No. 7, Ziebell gathered the first clearance of the game and looked to move freely inhis return from a calf injury.
He spent most of the game in the midfield before moving forward where he used his strength to take a strong mark and kicka goal.
After being rested late in the game, he said: “See you next week”.
Stephenson, who has recovered from glandular fever, rounded out his preparations for the Magpies’ clash with Western Bulldogson Friday night.
He missed Collingwood’s first Marsh Community Series game against Richmond, but returned for the second pre-season game against St Kilda in Morwell.
NAUGHTON PRIMED FOR ROUND 1
Sam Landsberger
Western Bulldogs star Aaron Naughton is firming to take on Collingwood this Friday night, should the Round 1 ghost game go ahead at Marvel Stadium.
Naughton, 20, has made a strong recovery from knee surgery after he was a late withdrawal from the club’s first Marsh Seriespractice match against North Melbourne last month.
Naughton reported soreness following a training session and the Dogs decided to operate on their blossoming superstar in amove that ruled him out of both pre-season matches.
But Naughton – who ranked No.2 in the AFL for contested marks last year – trained strongly at Whitten Oval on Friday in a promising sign ahead of the date against the Magpies.
Naughton’s inclusion would likely see the Dogs roll out a three-pronged attack, also featuring Josh Bruce and Josh Schache, for the first time.
Coach Luke Beveridge also wants ruckman Tim English to spend time inside the forward 50m.
The aerial presence will give Beveridge’s team a different dynamic as they look to stretch opposition backlines and forcerival defenders to be accountable.
The Dogs love the fact that all three goalkickers are athletic enough to cover the ground.
That will help the team win field position as they look to transition out of the back half.
Forwards coach Ash Hansen said on March 4, when Naughton resumed running, that he was tracking well.
“I know that coming out of surgery they were really happy. It was only a minor thing,” Hansen said.
“(That was) a big relief, because we weren’t sure what we were going to find.”
ANOTHER BENNELL SETBACK
Harley Bennell has suffered a fresh injury in his AFL comeback bid with Melbourne.
The unlucky midfielder reported soreness in a calf muscle at training last weekend and scans have since confirmed yet another strain.
In a further blow to the Demons, Christian Salem has been diagnosed with a mild case of glandular fever.
Salem pulled out of last week’s practice match against Hawthorn but remains in contention for selection in Melbourne’s season opener against West Coast on March 22.
Bennell suffered a similar calf muscle setback in January before signing with Melbourne – his third AFL club – as a pre-season supplemental selection. The 27-year-old’s immediate future remains unclear but the Demons remain firm in their support for the talented on-baller.
“While disappointing to have this occur again, we deliberately set expectations on Harley conservatively, allowing for some setbacks,” Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney told SEN.
Bennell, taken by Gold Coast as the No.2 draft pick in 2010, has not played at AFL level since managing two games with Fremantle at the end of 2017.
SELWOOD’S CHANCE
Without an appearance in Geelong’s Marsh Community Series fixtures, Joel Selwood will need to get through match simulation this weekend if he is any hope of being ready for Round 1.
After undergoing surgery on both hamstrings, Selwood has been laid up throughout the early months of 2020 and faces a race against time to face GWS on March 21.
“I’ll train tomorrow (Tuesday) when the boys are going to have the day off and I’ll train every second day up until Round 1,” Selwood said.
“There’s probably five sessions I have to get through and feel really good and being my age (31) now, I’d rather go in feeling good than just limping in.”
GUTSY GEARY OK AFTER SURGERY
St Kilda warhorse Jarryn Geary has gone under the knife again, this time to repair a fracture in his face.
The Saint suffered the injury during the weekend’s Marsh Series win over Collingwood.
The tough as nails quarterback is set to be back in training by the end of the week and, all going well, be ready for Round 1.
“We will wait to see how he is later next week before making a call, but with the weekend off our expectation is Jarryn will be there in Round 1,” St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said.
The 31-year-old endured a frustrating 2019 campaign, marred by compartment syndrome and a broken leg.
SEXTON STILL A CHANCE FOR R1
The Gold Coast Suns have confirmed gun goal machine Alex Sexton has a torn right hamstring — but could still play in Round 1.
Sexton, earlier this month, went down in the third quarter of the Suns’ Marsh Series clash with Adelaide.
Suns football operations manager Jon Haines said scans showed the tear was small.
“At this stage, Alex is not ruled out for round one and we will monitor his progress over the next two weeks,” Haines said.
“Alex has a had a great pre-season and we know it’s a long season, so we’ll give him every opportunity to recover fully and set him up to play the rest of the year.”
In good news for the Suns, captain Jarrod Witts, rookie Izak Rankine, Ben King and Sean Lemmens are all set to resume full training this week.
MORE AFL:
Mark Robinson’s Top 50: Marcus Bontempelli set to join Western Bulldogs greats
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MORE INJURY NEWS
ADELAIDE
Not a ton to report out of the Crows, but how about Tex Walker on a wing? Ben Hart says NOOOOOOOO.
Tom Doedee’s knee is an annoyance for him, the Crows and all the SuperCoaches hoping to slot him in for Round 1 at a bargain price.
There were no fresh injury concerns out of the Marsh Series loss to Gold Coast, but Riley Knight could still be a month away from playing.
INJURED LIST
Tom Doedee Knee 1-2 weeks
Riley Knight Achilles 3-4 weeks
BRISBANE
The Lions are tracking nicely after their stunning 2019 season — very nicely.
Not a single player is on their injured list, less than two weeks away from Round 1.
Aside from an injury scare that prevented Dayne Zorko from playing in the Origin bushfire relief match — he’s since recovered — the Lions have a clean bill of health.
However, coach Chris Fagan did reveal he almost quit footy all together.
The Lions have named a 20-man leadership group for season 2020 … just kidding, but it is big.
INJURED LIST
Nil
CARLTON
The Blues had a couple of injury concerns out of their Marsh Series clash with Brisbane, with Caleb Marchbank and Lachie Plowman pulling up lame.
Marchbank — back after a neck fracture ruined the backend of his 2019 season — copped a knock to the knee, while Plowman hurt his ankle.
Assistant coach Dale Amos was positive, post-match.
“Marchbank just got a knock on his knee so we’ll assess it: it didn’t look overly serious,” Amos said.
“Plowman just rolled his ankle, it looks pretty minor.”
All the news out of the Blues has been pretty positive this season — except for that around a couple of very important forwards.
Rising Star winner Sam Walsh is up and about, while Mitch McGovern appears ready to atone for a horrid 2019.
But Charlie Curnow has suffered a setback after having his smashed patella repaired through surgery — who knows when he will be back.
And that injury hurts even more with fellow gun forward Harry McKay also on the rack with a groin injury that could see him miss a month of footy.
INJURED LIST
Charlie Curnow Knee Indefinite
Brodie Kemp Knee Indefinite
Caleb Marchbank Knee Test
Harry McKay Groin 2-4 weeks
Sam Petrevski-Seton Quad Test
Lachie Plowman Ankle Test
COLLINGWOOD
Soon-to-be out-of-contract star Jordan De Goey’s conditioning — or lack thereof — is the biggest news coming out of Collingwood.
He’s ditched his manager after turning up to pre-season out of shape, not that it’s bothered president Eddie McGuire.
Glandular fever struck down livewire forward Jaidyn Stephenson in the off-season, but he’s managed to play in the pre-season Marsh Cup and will be better for the run.
The bad news hit this with Adam Treloar’s hamstring injury leaving him unlikely to play in Round 1, while Ben Reid suffered yet another soft tissue injury, this time a hamstring in the Marsh Community Series duel with Western Bulldogs.
Poor defender Tom Langdon has admitted retirement is an “option” as he continues to battle a cartilage problem in his right knee, having not played since Round 9 last year.
Youngsters Flynn Appleby and Isaac Quaynor are still recovering from surgery, as is veteran Travis Varcoe.
Taylor Adams has also hurt himself and is no certainty for Round 1, thanks to a hip issue suffered during the Marsh Community Series.
After a less than impressive 2019, ‘Phil Inn’ Brayden Sier is in shape and burning up the track, while dual-ACL victim Lynden Dunn has won a spot on the Pies’ list.
INJURED LIST
Taylor Adams Hip TBC
Dayne Beams Mental health Indefinite
Tim Broomhead Leg 2-4 weeks
Lynden Dunn Knee 6-8 weeks
Levi Greenwood Knee 16-24 weeks
Tom Langdon Knee Indefinite
Ben Reid Ankle Test
Adam Treloar Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Travis Varcoe Shoulder 4-6 weeks
Flynn Appleby Ankle 1 week
Isaac Quaynor Hip 1 week
ESSENDON
The Bombers have been hit with a number of injury setbacks in the pre-season.
Who knows when wantaway key forward Joe Daniher will be fit — but don’t expect it any time soon.
No.1 ruckman Tom Bellchambers is set to miss the start of the season, but at least one Don believes their Carlton recruit can fill the void.
Captain Dyson Heppell has ruled himself out for round 1 after having a screw removed from the foot he had operated on in the off-season.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was hampered by injury early on, while gun Irish running defender Conor McKenna’s return to his homeland sent a shock through the club.
Cale Hooker’s hip is still proving troublesome.
Hey, at least The Package is flying and is this young gun finally ready to fulfil his promise as an inside midfielder?
INJURED LIST
Patrick Ambrose Knee 6-7 weeks
Tom Bellchambers Knee Test
Joe Daniher Groin Indefinite
Sam Draper Knee 6-8 weeks
Noah Gown Foot Indefinite
Dyson Heppell Foot TBC
Mitch Hibberd Knee Test
Cale Hooker Hip TBC
Lachie Johnson Knee Season
James Stewart Groin Test
David Zaharakis Thigh Test
FREMANTLE
After working his way back into selection consideration, runner Stephen Hill has suffered another setback.
Gun forward Jesse Hogan has taken a break from the game to deal with his ongoing mental health issues. Hogan’s struggles are well-documented and there has even been talk of the club severing ties with the former Demon.
They’d love to have David Mundy, Alex Pearce and Nathan Wilson available for Round 1, but that’s not happening.
Joel Hamling is a massive loss to new coach Justin Longmuir’s defensive set up.
INJURED LIST
Blake Acres Hamstring 6-8 weeks
Joel Hamling Ankle 9-11 weeks
Stephen Hill Quad TBC
Jesse Hogan Mental health Indefinite
David Mundy Leg TBC
Alex Pearce Ankle 3-4 weeks
Nathan Wilson Toe 3-4 weeks
GEELONG
Will captain Joel Selwood be right for the season opener?
That’s the biggest question surrounding the Cats right now.
It doesn’t look like prime mover Mitch Duncan will be good to go against GWS.
And they’d like to see recruit Jack Steven up and running, but he faces a race against time to be fit.
Poor Nakia Cockatoo just can’t get his body to stand up to the rigours of AFL, this time a hamstring injury putting him out for up to a month, while teammate Jake Kolodjashnij won’t be there at the first bounce either.
The Cats plan to ease the legendary Gary Ablett through the season.
INJURED LIST
Nakia Cockatoo Hamstring 3-4 weeks
Mitch Duncan Hip Test
Jake Kolodjashnij Hip 3-4 weeks
Nathan Kreuger Knee 1-2 weeks
Stefan Okunbor Achilles Indefinite
Joel Selwood Hamstring Test
GOLD COAST
Alex Sexton definitely has a sore hamstring and, while the Suns say they haven’t ruled him out of Round 1, they surely wouldn’ risk him?
We all planned to slot $123k second-year high draft pick Izak Rankine straight into our SuperCoach teams and watch the money roll in … That was before a shoulder injury put a dampener on his pre-season. He is still a chance to play in Round 1 and should be in your side if he’s selected.
In better news, Rory Thompson is edging closer to playing footy for the first time since his ACL injury.
The foot complaint hampering the side’s best player, captain Jarrod Witts, is a concern. He is expected to play but, if the giant ruckman doesn’t come up, it would leave a massive hole in a side that had plenty of those last season.
INJURED LIST
Charlie Ballard Shoulder 6-8 weeks
Jack Hombsch Rib 1-2 weeks
Anthony Miles Chest TBC
Wil Powell Knee 6-8 weeks
Izak Rankine Shoulder Test
Mitch Riordan ACL Season
Alex Sexton Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Rory Thompson Knee Test
Jarrod Witts Foot Test
GWS
The Giants had their usual cost-cutting measures in the off-season, but it appears they may have finally banished their injury demons.
Gritty midfielder Callan Ward is finally back on the track on light duties, while healthy pre-seasons for Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene and Lachie Whitfield has coach Leon Cameron pinching himself.
Well, he was, until young gun Tim Taranto went down with a shoulder injury that could force him to miss up to five months of footy. OUCH.
As always, one of the grand finalist’s biggest concern is locking away its talent.
INJURED LIST
Matt Flynn Knee TBC
Tommy Sheridan Calf 3-4 weeks
Tim Taranto Shoulder 4-5 months
Callan Ward Knee 4-6 weeks
HAWTHORN
The Hawks’ top end is as good as anyone’s in the competition. The problem is a lack of depth — meaning injuries bite hard.
The Marsh Community series ankle injury to Mitch Lewis — who had just recovered from pre-season shoulder surgery — is untimely, while Blake Hardwick’s loss to a ruptured pectoral muscle is a massive blow.
The Hawks will now be forced to rely on inexperienced defenders like Damon Greaves, Changkuoth Jiath or Will Day, owing to the fact Jarman Impey and Daniel Howe are also injured.
INJURED LIST
Will Golds Knee TBC
Jack Gunston Ankle 1-2 weeks
Blake Hardwick Chest 11 weeks
Dan Howe Foot Indefinite
Jarman Impey Knee Indefinite
Jacob Koschitzke AC joint 3 weeks
Mitch Lewis Ankle 1-2 weeks
Josh Morris Knee 4-5 weeks
Tim O’Brien Eye Test
MELBOURNE
It’s a second pre-season from hell for the Dees.
First, All-Australian superstar ruckman Max Gawn went down with what he initially feared to be an ACL injury during training. However, he return and looked ok in the Marsh Series clash with Hawthorn.
His back up Braydon Preuss suffered a similar fate on the track.
Steven May went under the knife again after suffering a setback following the removal of a cyst from his knee, but he’s made it back too.
And now, a young gun has yet another concussion worry.
Sam Weideman hurt his ankle against the Hawks, but he’s reportedly not too bad.
Oh, and don’t expect recruit Harley Bennell to be ready to return at AFL level any time soon.
The injury-prone former Fremantle and Gold Coast midfielder was handed a career lifeline by the Demons this month despite another setback with his troublesome calf muscles. He did join the main group for a short period last week, but scans have since shown he has re-aggravated his calf injury.
Hey, at least the yearly ‘Christian Petracca is flying’ story is doing the rounds, right?
INJURED LIST
Harley Bennell Calf TBC
Kade Chandler Wrist 1-2 weeks
Kyle Dunkley Foot Test
Mitch Hannan Groin TBC
Kade Kolodjashnij Concussion TBC
Harry Petty Groin TBC
Braydon Preuss Knee 4-6 weeks
Christian Salem Glandular fever 1-2 weeks
Aaron vandenBerg Foot TBC
Sam Weideman Ankle Test
NORTH MELBOURNE
It has been an off-season of optimism at Arden St, but injuries are starting to bite a little.
Ben Brown will spend weeks on the sidelines after scans confirmed he had suffered a calf strain. The Roos won’t put a timeline on Brown’s return, but are hopeful his absence won’t extend too closely to the club’s Round 1 clash against St Kilda on March 22.
Ben Cunnington hurt himself and didn’t play in the Bushfire State of Origin clash, but he’s ok and the captain Jack Ziebell had an interrupted pre-season, as did Jared Polec, but all three should be ready for Round 1, after limited time in the Marsh Series on the weekend.
There was a SuperCoach red alert on popular cheapie Aiden Bonar, but his hamstring complaint was not serious and he should be available for Round 1 if Rhyce Shaw wants to pick him.
Good news is big Majak Daw has had a strong pre-season and has thrown his name into the mix.
Marley Williams is out for three weeks for sending Dog Ed Richards into next year.
INJURED LIST
Ben Brown Calf 1-2 weeks
Luke Davies-Uniacke Groin TBC
Kyron Hayden Achilles 9-11 weeks
Ben Jacobs Concussion TBC
Flynn Perez Knee 9-11 weeks
Kayne Turner Sesamoid/foot 9-11 weeks
Ed Vickers-Willis Knee TBC
Marley Williams Suspension Round 3
PORT ADELAIDE
“Look out, we’re coming!”
Famous last words or genuine threat?
The coach has put it all on the line and, with an almost full list of fit players to start the season, he has no excuses.
Former captain Ollie Wines is the biggest injury concern, but he was joined on the sidelines by big man Charlie Dixon and Scott Lycett, who suffered respective groin and knee complaints in their Marsh Series clash with the Bulldogs. Brother of Collingwood star Brodie, Riley Grundy has had surgery on his knee, while 2019 draft pick Miles Bergman has a minor ankle complaint.
INJURED LIST
Miles Bergman Ankle Test
Charlie Dixon Groin 1-2 weeks
Riley Grundy Knee TBC
Scott Lycett Ankle 1-2 weeks
Ollie Wines Shoulder 5-7 weeks
RICHMOND
The Tigers always tend to be in pretty good nick these days. Something in the water at Punt Rd.
In case you haven’t heard, Grand Final hero Marlion Pickett is absolutely flying on the track.
Kamdyn McIntosh did suffer an injury scare during the Tigers’ trip away, while Jack Higgins has taken a big step in his recovery from brain surgery and was an inspiration on his return in the March Community Series.
Their four men combatting niggles have almost two weeks to be ready for Round 1.
INJURED LIST
Kane Lambert Concussion Test
Jack Graham Shoulder Test
Kamdyn McIntosh Ankle Test
Toby Nankervis Adductor Test
ST KILDA
No excuses for the Saints, with a clean bill of health giving them one of their best pre-seasons in years.
Luke Dunstan went down during an intra-club match early in pre-season. But he has since recovered.
Dunstan down with a hip issue as Nick Riewoldt watches on from the shade. Goals to Lonie, King, Billing’s & others so far. Coverage @SuperFooty @heraldsunsport https://t.co/ikw9v3uXA0 pic.twitter.com/tbe1uKao5U
— Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun) February 13, 2020
The big news was Max King is up and running. The highly-rated tall forward booted three goals in that intra club and has looked solid as the spearhead.
Jake Carlisle says his back is feeling better and reckons he never wanted to leave the Saints, despite trade rumblings last year.
Jarryn Geary will be available for Round 1 despite surgery on a facial fracture he suffered during the Marsh Series match against Collingwood, while recruit Paddy Ryder has slimmed down as the Saints plan to use him to help take the pressure off young ruckman Rowan Marshall.
INJURED LIST
Jarryn Geary Facial fracture Test
SYDNEY
It’s all about Buddy in Sydney.
After rocking up to pre-season in perhaps his best shape since he crossed from the Hawks at the end of 2013, the 33-year-old’s body has given up on him again.
The Swans’ lost young gun Isaac Heeney after surgery to his thumb, but he is ok now, while Lewis Melican is the only other real injury concern outside of the Budster.
Not the ideal start for a side in transition but you’d expect this year to be more about development than the W column.
INJURED LIST
Robbie Fox Ankle Test
Lance Franklin Knee 3-5 weeks
Lewis Melican Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Sam Reid Calf Test
WEST COAST
The Eagles big guns should be locked and loaded for Round 1, with key forward Jack Darling the only concern as he gets toward the end of his recovery from a fractured cheekbone.
Big man Oscar Allen (ankle) is said to be making steady progress but Jarrod Cameron and Tom Cole will be on the sidelines for up to two months.
Dan Venables is the sad tale out of Perth, with the club confirming the premiership forward is suffering serious concussion symptoms and has not date for a return.
INJURED LIST
Oscar Allen Ankle Test
Jarrod Cameron Pubic bone 6-8 weeks
Tom Cole Thumb 6-8 weeks
Jack Darling Cheekbone Test
Luke Foley Pubic bone TBC
Daniel Venables Concussion Season
WESTERN BULLDOGS
For a side with huge raps in 2020, the Doggies have managed to fly under the radar a little bit.
But a pair of hamstring injuries — one to the captain — produced their first major issues of the pre-season.
Tom Liberatore is back in training, but isn’t expected to be fit for Round 1, while Will Hayes won’t suit up due to suspension.
Gun forward Aaron Naughton had all but recovered from his knee injury, and lit up an intra club match before suffering a setback that leaves him in doubt for Round 1.
Could the new kid make a Round 1 debut? At least one Doggie thinks so.
INJURED LIST
Tory Dickson Adductor Test
Taylor Duryea Groin 5 weeks
Riley Garcia Knee Indefinite
Will Hayes Suspended Round 2
Lin Jong Hamstring 5 weeks
Tom Liberatore Knee 4 weeks
Aaron Naughton Knee 2 weeks
Laitham Vandermeer Hamstring Test
Originally published as AFL pre-season track watch: Players who have been hit by injury in the lead up to season 2020