Barometer: Your club’s injury list after Round 19
Hopes Majak Daw could make a stunning return to senior football have been dashed, with the club ruling out the intercept defender for the rest of the season. EVERY CLUB’S INJURY LIST
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North Melbourne star Majak Daw’s return to football has been interrupted by a serious hamstring injury.
Daw, who last month returned to the VFL after recovering from a fall from the Bolte Bridge, tore his hamstring in the Roos’ weekend loss to the Northern Blues and the club has ruled him out for the rest of the season.
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Daw was rested after the second quarter, citing “hamstring awareness” on the back of a spoiling attempt and North’s football manager Cameron Joyce said he would not be risked again this season.
“Majak was running at speed, and stumbled forward, putting his hamstring under immense pressure and strain,” Joyce told the club’s website.
“With only four games until the end of the season, unfortunately he won’t be able to recover in time to make it back to playing this season.
“The scans revealed a decent tear and it would normally be a six-week injury.”
Daw suffered hip and pelvis injuries in the December fall, but had hoped to make it back into the senior side after turning out in the VFL since early July.
“Each week he played, we carefully increased his minutes by a quarter and he was set to play his first full game on Saturday,” Joyce explained.
“It’s really disappointing for him not to be able to get back for an AFL game, which was his goal, but he should take a lot of confidence out of his incredible effort in getting back to playing so quickly, considering the injuries he had.
“No one should underestimate the level of determination, courage and willpower Majak has shown over the past six or so months.
“We will now ensure he has all the support he needs to come back stronger and ready for day one of the 2020 pre-season.”
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TIGERS RULE RANCE OUT OF FLAG TILT
Richmond will resist the temptation to bring Alex Rance back for a finals tilt as Dale Morris’ handed the Tigers with another telling reminder of the risk on Sunday.
Rance is desperate to return to play despite a Round 1 knee reconstruction and is well ahead of schedule.
But the Tigers will only play him if his surgeon Julian Feller can tell the club his knee graft is as strong as it was pre-injury.
There is little to no prospect of that diagnosis given Rance is only four months post-surgery.
The Tigers are also aware Rance would need up to a month of football conditioning as well as one or two VFL games, anotherchallenge in his return.
Tigers football boss Neil Balme is adamant the club will not risk its five-time All Australian if there is any increased risky returning early.
Morris’ knee buckled yesterday in his AFL return after four VFL games with the veteran’s career now in doubt.
The Tigers back line continues to play exceptional football without Rance, as Dylan Grimes has seamlessly slotted into the full back role.
Richmond star Dion Prestia said last week the club needed to consider its premiership window when assessing the risk to Rance.
“He is starting to agility and jumping and if anyone would be able to come back and return its Rancey but it’s also the risk involved. I feel we are in a big premiership window, it’s not all or nothing this year. As long as Rancey comes back safely I will be happy. If it’s week one of the finals or Grand Final day or Round 1 next year I will be happy as long as his knee is safe and holding up.”
Richmond also has injuries problems after captain Trent Cotchin suffered a third hamstring issue this year against the Magpies.
Most of the pre-game talk had been on whether Cotchin would be able to play, given his wife Brooke is due to give birth to the couple’s third child.
When he went off 19 minutes into the opening term and went down the players’ race with the club doctor, it was assumed he had received a call from home.
But that wasn’t the case, and when he re-emerged just after quarter-time he had the jacket around him with confirmation that he had hamstring issues yet again.
After Richmond kicked the first goal of the second quarter, Collingwood’s official Twitter tweeted: “Lambert goals for the Tigers. The upside … Cotchin is out of the game with a hammy problem.”
The tweet came under fire and was later deleted.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said scans this week would reveal the severity of Cotchin’s injury, but the fact he helped chair 200-gamer Bachar Houli off the field after the match raised hopes it wasn’t serious.
“It’s disappointing,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said. “He got a little bit of a tweak … we are hoping that it is at the minor end.
“Once again he has had two (other issues). It is such a disappointing part of the game when you lose players … losing players at this time of the year is always tough
“We don’t know the significant of the injury yet.”
Hi @CollingwoodFC
— Lauren Clearihan (@LozzzaC) July 26, 2019
This tweet was rubbish.
The downside...we had to read this tweet. A Brownlow Medalist, and Premiership Captain, and you celebrate his injury?!
The upside...you deleted this tweet and Trent Cotchin is forever a Brownlow Medalist and Premiership Captain ðð¼ pic.twitter.com/zJUgg2oEef
Cotchin missed two months of football with a serious hamstring issue earlier in the year then returned for two months before having some more soreness in the same area.
He returned against St Kilda in Round 15 and Friday night’s match was his fifth game back, but he is likely to be back on the sidelines for a period.
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ADELAIDE
As the Crows deal with the wash-up of their 27-point loss to Carlton, coach Don Pyke has hinted at changes come selection this week as his side regroups to face St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
With dropped small forward Eddie Betts kicking four goals in the SANFL and out-of-favour midfielder picking up 40 touches in the same game, both names could come of interest to the match committee.
In particular, Betts might make a comeback.
“Hopefully he’s gone back (to the SANFL) and played the way he’s capable … based on today’s performance there might be a few guys in line for selection,” Pyke said post-match.
“We brought in Tyson (Stengle), I’m not sure that was going to be the difference in the game, to be honest, looking at the numbers and the way we played, I’m not sure that the difference between say Tyson and Eddie was necessarily going to be the difference, but we’ll consider what that looks like for selection next week.”
Pyke said ruckman Reilly O’Brien sustained a head knock late in the game, but should be fine to play, while defender Alex Keath needed more time to heal his sore ankle.
— Liz Walsh
INJURIES
Cameron Ellis-Yolmen (shin) 1 week
Myles Poholke (calf) test
Tom Doedee (knee) season
Paul Hunter (foot) TBC
Alex Keath (ankle) 2 weeks
Ned McHenry (back) 1 week
Andrew McPherson (hamstring) TBC
Myles Poholke (calf) test
BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions stretched their winning streak to six matches with their victory over the Hawks, but were unable to also maintain their injury-free run. Alex Witherden limped off the field late in the first quarter with an injury that coach Chris Fagan described as “a strange one.” Witherden had ice behind the knee and Fagan declared he would require a scan. Marcus Adams (head knock) and Dan McStay (hip) were also sore after the game.
Vice-captain Harris Andrews will be available to return from suspension and will walk straight into the side, while Ryan Lester and Ben Keays have played seniors recently and would also be in consideration.
— Andrew Hamilton
INJURIES
Alex Witherden (leg) TBC
Tom Cutler (foot) 1-2 weeks.
Mitch Hinge (hamstring) 1-2 weeks.
Brandon Starcevich (quad) — test.
CARLTON
Matthew Kennedy’s rolled ankle was the biggest concern to come out of the Blues’ win over Adelaide on Saturday. Kennedy suffered the injury in the first half but returned to play out the game, with caretaker coach David Teague confident it wasn’t a major concern. Midfielder Zac Fisher was a late withdrawal because of illness and will be a definite inclusion against reigning premiers West Coast next week. Veteran ruckman Matthew Kreuzer was rested on Saturday and it will be interesting to see whether that management goes for another week given the impressive form of his replacement Andrew Phillips.
Whether Mitch McGovern returns after being asked to improve his fitness will be the main call for caretaker coach David Teague. Carlton will be without Sam Docherty, Caleb Marchbank, Tom Williamson and Charlie Curnow for the rest of the year, but otherwise has no major injury concerns. Small forward Matt Owies was rumoured to be debuting about a month ago and kicked four goals as Northern Blues steamrolled North Melbourne in the VFL. Alex Fasolo could also be a chance of a call-up after he kicked three majors, while Matt Cottrell was named in the best after gathering 22 disposals.
— Scott Gullan and Tim Michell
INJURIES
Matthew Kreuzer (managed) TBC
Zac Fisher (illness) TBC
David Cuningham (knee) test
Charlie Curnow (knee) season
Sam Docherty (knee) season
Hugh Goddard (fractured cheekbone) test
Caleb Marchbank (neck) season
Mitch McGovern (conditioning) indefinite
Tom Williamson (back) season
COLLINGWOOD
The injury list at Collingwood continues to grow and grow.
It was revealed on Sunday morning that star Jordan De Goey and youngster Isaac Quaynor will both miss this Sunday’s clash with Gold Coast at the MCG.
Scans have confirmed that Quaynor suffered a foot stress injury during last Friday night’s loss to Richmond, while De Goey a low grade hamstring strain.
Midfielder Taylor Adams was a late withdrawal last Friday night with a hamstring complaint, and coach Nathan Buckley said he would be monitored by the club this week.
“Taylor pulled up sore from training on Wednesday, so we’ll wait and see how that settles,” he said.
“But he may be a chance for next week, but we’ll see how it goes through the week.”
Defender Jordan Roughead is also no certainty to play against the Suns after being concussed in the loss to Richmond.
The cupboard is pretty bare at the Magpies at the moment, and Buckley has said to not expect “wholesale’ changes this week.
The only good news is Dayne Beams will on Monday return to the club. The midfielder returns after taking time out to deal with mental health issues. It is not known at this point when Beams will again be available for selection.
The Magpies’ VFL side also fell to Richmond, with Tim Broomhead and Rupert Wills named in the best.
—Nick Smart
INJURIES
Taylor Adams (hamstring) TBC
Jordan Roughead (concussion) TBC
James Aish (shoulder) TBC
Dayne Beams (hip/mental health) indefinite
Lynden Dunn (knee) season
Will Kelly (leg) TBC
Tom Langdon (knee) season
Darcy Moore (hamstring) 2 weeks
Nathan Murphy (back) indefinite
Sam Murray (provisional suspension) TBC
Ben Reid (hamstring) TBC
Jordan Roughead (concussion) TBC
Jaidyn Stephenson (suspended) 4 weeks
Daniel Wells (knee) 4-5 weeks
ESSENDON
No fresh injuries from the trip to Gold Coast, and they escaped with four points. Conor McKenna will be available for selection after returning from his brother’s wedding in Ireland while Dyson Heppell is a week-to-week proposition. Inclusions Jayden Laverde (seven disposals) and Ben McNiece (13) could go straight back out. The Bombers’ VFL side suffered its third defeat of the season, going down to Williamstown by 18 points on Saturday, with Michael Hartley (21 disposals, two goals) the standout.
— Al Paton
INJURIES
Tom Bellchambers (calf) 2-3 weeks
Joe Daniher (groin) season
Sam Draper (knee) season
Orazio Fantasia (hip) test
Dyson Heppell (foot) test
Michael Hurley (shoulder) 5-7 weeks
Irving Mosquito (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Kobe Mutch (knee) TBC
Devon Smith (knee) season
James Stewart (groin) TBC
FREMANTLE
The season has quickly unravelled for the Dockers, who were sitting pretty in sixth spot on the ladder after Round 13 with a 7-5 record. Since then, Ross Lyon’s side has won just one of six games and the coach is increasingly feeling the heat. Lyon admitted he might have got things wrong at selection by selecting two ruckmen in Sean Darcy and Aaron Sandilands, along with Rory Lobb, for the weekend’s clash with Western Bulldogs. The Dockers won the hit-outs 56-14 but lost clearances 35-32 and inside-50s 59-44. But there are more problems than just that and Fremantle now appears certain to miss finals for a fourth-straight season. Adding to the pain of the 47-point loss to the Bulldogs, scans are expected to confirm a hamstring tear for defender Luke Ryan, who was put on ice after pulling up sore in the third quarter. The Dockers host ladder-leader Geelong on Saturday at Optus Stadium — a team they lost to by 133 points last time the sides met in Round 22 last year. Peel Thunder had the bye in the WAFL.
—Chris Cavanagh
INJURIES
Brennan Cox (hip) 3 weeks
Stefan Giro (knee) season
Stephen Hill (quad) TBC
Jesse Hogan (foot) season
Shane Kersten (foot) TBC
Rory Lobb (shoulder) test
Lloyd Meek (foot) season
Alex Pearce (ankle) season
Matt Taberner (foot) season
GEELONG
The Cats came through Sunday’s win against Sydney unscathed and had a bye in the VFL, but Zach Tuohy and Gary Rohan — both “managed” this week — should be available for next week’s trip to Perth to face Fremantle. Will a couple of other sore regulars cop a dose of “general soreness”? Gary Ablett has played every game since the bye and could probably use a rest before tuning up for finals.
INJURIES
Zach Tuohy (managed) TBC
Gary Rohan (managed) TBC
Nakia Cockatoo (knee) test
Jordan Cunico (ankle) 2 weeks
Zach Guthrie (ankle) TBC
Nathan Kreuger (knee) TBC
Brandan Parfitt (back) test
GOLD COAST
No fresh injuries for a change but Jarrod Harbrow was reported for rough conduct on Matt Guelfi. In better news Jack Bowes and Ben Ainsworth returned successfully through the NEAFL after returning from long-term injuries. The Suns’ reserves posted an 85-point win over the Giants with both named in the best along with George Horlin-Smith.
— Al Paton
INJURIES
Will Brodie (hamstring) season
Callum Ah Chee (ankle) 4 weeks
Ben Ainsworth (foot) test
Jack Bowes (quad) test
Will Brodie (hamstring) season
Sam Collins (hip) season
Brayden Crossley (personal leave) TBC
Nick Holman (back) season
Jack Martin (finger) 1-2 weeks
Jordan Murdoch (quad) test
Wil Powell (knee) season
Izak Rankine (hip) TBC
Mitch Riordan (calf) 3-4 weeks
Rory Thompson (knee) season
Harrison Wigg (knee) season
Aaron Young (knee) 3-4 weeks
GWS GIANTS
Adam Kennedy was named after spending time in hospital earlier in the week with an elevated heart rate, but pulled out before the bounce. Key defender Sam Taylor didn’t return after leaving the field with a leg injury in the third term.
The Giants just fell over the line against Port Adelaide but it’s a huge result for their top-four hopes which are very much alive given their run home — Sydney, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast — and the fact rivals above them have to play each other.
The Giants’ NEAFL side faces Gold Coast reserves on Sunday.
INJURIES
Adam Kennedy (heart) TBC
Sam Taylor (leg) TBC
Brett Deledio (managed) TBC
Stephen Coniglio (knee) 7 weeks
Aidan Corr (calf) 1 week
Isaac Cumming (hamstring) 2 weeks
Matt de Boer (shoulder) 3 weeks
Matt Flynn (knee) season
Josh Kelly (calf) 2 weeks
Adam Kennedy (illness) TBC
Zac Langdon (ankle) 7 weeks
Xavier O’Halloran (knee) 1 week
Jonathon Patton (knee) TBC
Tommy Sheridan (calf) 1 week
Callan Ward (knee) season
HAWTHORN
The Hawks have only themselves to blame after kicking 7.18 in Launceston, but the finals door is still open thanks to a massive form slump hitting both Adelaide teams. Their fate is in their own hands with games to come against North Melbourne, GWS, Gold Coast and West Coast. Tim O’Brien was a late withdrawal on Saturday with calf soreness but should be available to play against North Melbourne on Friday night. Box Hill had the bye in the VFL.
— Al Paton
INJURIES
Tim O’Brien (calf) TBC
Jarman Impey (knee) season
Harry Jones (knee) season
Darren Minchington (hamstring) TBC
Tom Mitchell (broken leg) indefinite
Tim Mohr (dislocated knee/ACL) season
Dylan Moore (groin) 1 week
Harry Morrison (back spasms) test
Ryan Schoenmakers (calf) 2 weeks
Jack Scrimshaw (knee) 2 weeks
MELBOURNE
Melbourne faces an almighty task when it meets the hottest team in the competition in Round 20. Coach Simon Goodwin hopes Steven May can bolster his defence as it tries to stop the Tom Lynch-Jack Riewoldt show for the Tigers, but he said no risk would be taken despite the backman’s hamstring issue only being minor.
It was a dejected Melbourne rooms after another hard-fought loss, defender Jake Lever at a loss as to why his team was unable to perform the “fundamentals” well enough.
Goodwin said Oscar McDonald was OK in his first game back, although match fitness told as the game wore on. Perhaps of more concern is the other end. The Demons relied on scoring from stoppages, but Max Gawn’s influence can only yield so much.
Bayley Fritsch, James Harmes, Tim Smith and Harrison Petty were among the players rotate deep forward as the coach tries to find an Ave to goal in the absence of Tom McDonald.
Braydon Preuss might be an option to return — especially against the dual rucks of Richmond. But Goodwin will hope there’s plenty of options at the lower level as he looks to inject some spark to his stumbling team.
Adding to the Dees’ woes, Sam Weideman suffered concussion in the VFL on Sunday.
— Ben Broad
INJURIES
Steven May (hamstring) TBC
Sam Weideman (concussion) TBC
Jeff Garlett (shoulder) season
Kade Kolodjashnij (head) TBC
Tom McDonald (knee) season
Jake Melksham (foot) test
Aaron Nietschke (knee) season
Joel Smith (groin) season
Tom Sparrow (knee) 2-3 weeks
Billy Stretch (foot) test
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) test
Guy Walker (shoulder) indefinite
Shaun Atley's dislocated kneecap ð¬#GameDay pic.twitter.com/7U7O5Mkame
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 28, 2019
NORTH MELBOURNE
Majak Daw’s hopes of a late-season return are alive despite a low-grade hamstring strain in the VFL.
The Roos endured a dirty weekend on the injury front with Shaun Atley dislocating his knee in the loss to West Coast and Daw injured early in the VFL.
But despite scans on Sunday the Roos aren’t keen to shut down Daw’s season, adamant he can still play again in coming weeks.
Atley’s knee popped straight back in after the incident at Optus Stadium and he was walking without discomfort yesterday.
He will have scans on Monday but the club was hoping he might have escaped without damage and could even take on Hawthorn on Friday night.
Scott Thompson is no certainty to prove his fitness after a ruptured testicle last week, still in pain and with a healing wound.
The Roos are adamant they have no plans to announce Rhyce Shaw as their senior coach on Monday despite him remaining in the box seat to secure the role.
Shaw has said privately and publicly over the weekend he has not yet been offered the job — or discussed contract terms — despite reports he would accept a three-year deal on Monday.
He is certain to be announced as coach but whether it will be this week remains to be seen.
— Jon Ralph
INJURIES
Shaun Atley (knee) TBC
Aaron Hall (personal leave) indefinite
Kyron Hayden (achilles) season
Ben Jacobs (head/neck) season
Luke McDonald (fractured fibula) season
Tom McKenzie (back) TBC
Bailey Scott (foot) indefinite
Scott Thompson (ruptured testicle) test
Dom Tyson (calf) test
Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) season
Will Walker (knee) TBC
PORT ADELAIDE
The million-dollar question at Port Adelaide this week is how long does Charlie Dixon spend in the reserves?
Dropped to make way for Paddy Ryder after kicking six goals in five games since returning from a broken leg, Dixon went back to the SANFL on Sunday and kicked three which could be enough to stake his claim for a recall.
The other standout performer in the twos was Steven Motlop who was also dropped this week and responded with four goals.
The Power escaped Saturday night’s one-point loss to the Giants with no injuries but no clarity over its best forward line combination so Dixon may be back to play Essendon at Marvel Stadium this weekend.
Other names in the mix will be Peter Ladhams (three goals) and Todd Marshall (two).
“We need some bigger people in our forward line that can compete consistently,” Ken Hinkley said post-match.
“That’s one of our issues … Hopefully some boys play really well for the Maggies, they get a strong win and put their hand up that are in that tall man bracket.”
In other injury news, Ryan Burton (hamstring) and Jack Watts (broken leg) were running this week but are slim or in Watts’ case virtually no chance of playing again this season.
—Reece Homfray
INJURIES
Ryan Burton (hamstring) 4 weeks
Tobin Cox (kidney) indefinite
Brad Ebert (knee) 6 weeks
Jake Patmore (knee) season
Jack Watts (leg) indefinite
Ollie Wines (thumb) test
RICHMOND
Damien Hardwick knows he has a decision to make on his back-up ruckman with regular big man Toby Nankervis set to return against Melbourne on Saturday night.
The ruck duo of Ivan Soldo and Mabior Chol did a super job in limiting the impact of the inform Brodie Grundy on Friday night, but Hardwick knows he will have to choose between the two with Nankervis to resume after two games in the VFL.
“Nank will put his hand up to play,” Hardwick said.
“He got through a half again … he’s very important to us.”
“You probably think he puts his hands up to come back in the side.”
Both Soldo and Chol played important roles for the Tigers against the Magpies, with each kicking a goal and making an impact.
— Glenn McFarlane
INJURIES
Jack Higgins (brain bleed) season
Callum Moore (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Alex Rance (knee) season
Jack Ross (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Fraser Turner (leg) 1-2 weeks
ST KILDA
The finals flame still burns for St Kilda — which could be boosted by a trio of senior players for the final four weeks of the season.
Suddenly sitting just one game outside the top eight and with two straight wins behind them under caretaker coach Brett Ratten, the Saints are far from giving up on their slim finals chances. “That’s the reality, we can still make it. So while there is, we’ll keep pushing on,” Ratten said.
Midfielder Dan Hannebery trained strongly on Saturday morning as he pushes for a return from a hamstring injury against Adelaide next Saturday night. Hannebery has managed just two AFL games this year after being traded from Sydney at the end of last season.
“Dan … trained really well, so he’ll be pushing very hard to get in,” Ratten said.
Josh Battle will return from a knee injury through the VFL for Sandringham on Sunday, while Jack Steven will be unleashed for a full game in the seconds after shining on limited game time in his first game back last week.
“He had 21 disposals in three quarters last week and played really well, so he’ll get a full game and his name will be bandied around match committee and I think a few of the coaches will be pushing for him,” Ratten said. “But we’ll just see how he goes.”
St Kilda has lost its past nine games against Adelaide dating back to Round 12, 2012 and has not beaten the Crows in Adelaide since 2009.
—Chris Cavanagh
INJURIES
David Armitage (concussion) test
Logan Austin (shoulder) indefinite
Josh Battle (knee) test
Jack Bytel (back) season
Jarryn Geary (leg) 3-5 weeks
Dean Kent (quad) season
Max King (ankle) season
Billy Longer (concussion) indefinite
Paddy McCartin (concussion) season
Lewis Pierce (concussion) indefinite
Dylan Roberton (heart) season
Jimmy Webster (back) test
SYDNEY
Ben Ronke was a late inclusion for Ollie Florent and kicked two goals, so his spot should be safe this week — and the same goes for the other inclusion Jordan Dawson (three goals). Daniel Menzel kicked four goals in the NEAFL to push his case for a start in the Battle of the Bridge and Sam Naismith came through his return from knee surgery with flying colours. A decision on whether to promote him to the seniors will be made later in the week. But John Longmire has revealed forward Will Hayward will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing hip surgery on Friday.
— Al Paton
INJURIES
Oliver Florent (hip) TBC
Will Hayward (hip) season
Darcy Cameron (quad) 2-3 weeks
Harry Cunningham (groin) 1-2 weeks
Lance Franklin (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Matthew Ling (achilles) 2-3 weeks
Jack Maibaum (knee) season
Jarrad McVeigh (calf) 3 weeks
Callum Sinclair (shoulder) season
Nick Smith (hamstring) season
Durak Tucker (hamstring) TBC
WEST COAST
No fresh injuries from a comfortable win against North Melbourne so the watch this week will be on skipper Shannon Hurn, who didn’t come up from a calf injury in time to play the Kangaroos. Adam Simpson said he was very close which should be a positive sign. The Eagles’ WAFL team kicked only four goals in a loss to Subiaco. Hamish Brayshaw had 25 disposals.
— Al Paton
INJURIES
Brendon Ah Chee (calf) test
Patrick Bines (hernia) test
Jamie Cripps (adductor) 2-3 weeks
Liam Duggan (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Harry Edwards (foot) 1 week
Shannon Hurn (calf) test
Mark Hutchings (hamstring) 1 week
Jeremy McGovern (ankle) test
Xavier O’Neill (hip) test
Nic Naitanui (ankle) indefinite
Josh Smith (hamstring) 5-7 weeks
Nathan Vardy (ankle/knee) test
Daniel Venables (concussion) season
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The finals dream remains very much alive for the Bulldogs, but any September campaign looks set to come without 2016 premiership defender Dale Morris.
Morris suffered a suspected ACL tear on his left knee in Sunday’s win over Fremantle, with scans expected to confirm the worst for the 36-year-old.
Morris had been playing just his first AFL game of the year since suffering a partial tear of the ACL at training in March.
The latest injury blow came just days after coach Luke Beveridge had declared the Bulldogs were open to Morris playing on next year if he were to finish the season strongly after producing some strong VFL form over the past month.
The Bulldogs must quickly turn their attention to Brisbane, though, ahead of a big clash at the Gabba on Sunday. Beveridge’s men now sit outside the top-eight only on percentage ahead of a big final four games which will see them meet the Lions, Essendon, GWS and Adelaide. The Bulldogs beat Brisbane in Ballarat by 16 points in Round 8.
“Playing them up there’s going to be a different story,” Beveridge said.
“It will be a totally different game. Beyond that, there’s challenge after challenge. The ball’s in our court. That’s the exciting thing.
“But as usual, we won’t look any further than going to Brisbane this week.”
—Chris Cavanagh
INJURIES
Josh Schache (concussion) TBC
Matt Suckling (back) TBC
Ben Cavarra (shoulder) test
Ryan Gardner (knee) 6-7 weeks
Fergus Greene (shoulder) season
Toby McLean (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Ed Richards (hamstring) test
Josh Schache (concussion) test
Laitham Vandermeer (calf) test
Mitch Wallis (ankle) indefinite
Originally published as Barometer: Your club’s injury list after Round 19