AFL Round 21 teams: See this week’s ins and outs plus expert tips and injury news
Collingwood has provided an update on Brodie Grundy’s latest setback which is worse than first thought.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Collingwood star ruckman Brodie Grundy faces more time on the sidelines to repair a bone stress injury in his ankle.
As News Corp reported on Thursday, the gun big man’s ankle injury was worse than first expected following scans this week.
Grundy, 28, hurt his ankle playing in the VFL at the weekend and reported more soreness after battling through training on Tuesday.
The dual best-and-fairest winner and All-Australian ruckman is in doubt to play next weekend against Sydney Swans and could yet be sidelined for the rest of the regular season.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
It is an unfortunate setback for the ace ruckman whose future at Collingwood remains uncertain as the Magpies consider trading him.
Collingwood was hopeful Grundy would be fit to help lead the club’s ruck division in finals but the ankle injury has put his comeback plans on hold.
Collingwood football manager Graham Wright confirmed Grundy’s setback and said the Magpies were still considering how to treat the injury. The club was hopeful surgery is not required.
“He won’t play this week and we will make an assessment over the weekend. He isn’t a certainty (to play) in relation to next week,” Wright said on Fox Footy.
“It is a bone stress issue. It wasn’t something he took into the game.
“The pleasing thing is the knee feels really good.
“It is something we need to get in top of and we aren’t 100 per cent sure which way we will go.”
Grundy has not played since he hurt his knee in Round 6 against Essendon in the ANZAC Day blockbuster.
Talls Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox have fired in Grundy’s absence, giving Collingwood the scope to consider trading Grundy.
The star big man has five years to run on a $950,000-a-season deal.
Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney has shown interest in Grundy, while other clubs are also expected.
Collingwood will be active in this year’s exchange period with the club set to target Brisbane’s Daniel McStay and GWS pair Tim Taranto and Bobby Hill.
The Magpies have put off talks on Jordan De Goey’s future until the end of the season following a behavioural issue in Bali on his midseason break.
St Kilda has some interest in De Goey but has not made the free agent an offer.
Key Blues duo ‘managed’ for crunch clash
Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet has surprisingly been managed just a week after returning from a PCL injury as the Blues’ finals hopes hang in the balance.
Pittonet has been listed as an emergency after being named in the ruck in the initial team on Thursday night, with small forward Corey Durdin also managed after a fitness test on Friday.
The 26-year-old ruck had eight touches and 30 hitouts in the Blues’ shock loss to Adelaide, his first match back in the senior side since round six.
One more win should secure a finals berth for the Blues but they face three tough fixtures, starting with the Lions.
Jack Martin will return for his first senior outing since he was subbed out with a calf injury in round 14, with fringe midfielder Paddy Dow also elevated along with defender Caleb Marchbank and Jack Newnes.
Last week’s medical substitute Jack Silvagni has also been included in the 22.
Brisbane has dropped veteran Mitch Robinson again and its defence has been boosted by the inclusions of rebounder Daniel Rich and stopper Brandon Starcevich.
North Melbourne has axed three players and will welcome back experienced pair Aaron Hall and Aiden Corr among four inclusions.
Adelaide will go in unchanged for its trip west against the Eagles, who regain veteran Josh Kennedy for his 293rd and final game of his career after announcing his retirement this week.
Two spearheads will return for the blockbuster Melbourne-Collingwood clash on Friday night, with Brody Mihocek and Ben Brown both recovering from their respective injuries.
First-year key defender Josh Gibcus will replace the injured Dylan Grimes, with the Tigers opting to manage Shane Edwards after his 300th game, giving Maurice Rioli a spot in the 22.
Port Adelaide has suffered a blow leading into its clash with the Tigers with top goalkicker Todd Marshall sidelined through Covid protocols, replaced by mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle.
Dan Houston makes his way back into the side after missing with Covid protocols last week.
In a blow for KFC SuperCoach teams, popular backline rookies Jacob Wehr (GWS), Buku Khamis (Western Bulldogs) and Massimo D’Ambrosio (Essendon) will all miss round 21. Wehr has a calf injury while Khamis and D’Ambrosio were dropped.
Darcy has had a difficult year after he was sidelined for nearly half of the year with a navicular bone stress fracture in his foot.
But the mobile big man has excelled in the VFL since his return, highlighted by a dominant 20 disposal, 14 mark performance against Werribee on Saturday.
The 19-year-old was recruited at pick 2 in last year’s draft, taken as a father-son selection with Dad Luke playing 226 games for the Dogs.
Coach Luke Beveridge revealed the news to the playing group after training on Thursday which was met by rousing scenes from teammates.
“Yeah, just unbelievably excited, pretty overwhelming to be honest, emotional but nah just super excited to get out there,” the youngster said.
AFL TEAMS ROUND 21
MELBOURNE v COLLINGWOOD
Friday, August 5, 7:50pm at MCG
DEMONS
B: Rivers, Petty, May
HB: Jordon, Lever, Hibberd
C: Brayshaw, Oliver, Hunt
HF: Pickett, Fritscg, Langdon
F: Neal-Bullen, Brown, Spargo
R: Gawn, Viney, Petracca
I/C: Salem, Jackson Melksham, Sparrow
EMG: Harmes, Tomlinson, van Rooyen, Chandler
IN: Brown
OUT: Weideman (omitted), Chandler (sub)
MAGPIES
B: Murphy, Moore, Howe
HB: Pendlebury, Maynard, Quaynor
C: J.Daicos, Crisp, Noble
HF: Elliott, Cameron, Sidebottom
F: McCreery, Mihocek, DE Goet
FOLL: Cox, N.Daicos, Lipinski
I/C: Carmichael, Johnson, Hoskin-Elliott, Ginnivan
EMG: Bianco, Henry, C.Brown, kelly
IN: Mihocek
OUT: Adams (injured), Bianco (omitted)
HAWTHORN v GOLD COAST
Saturday, August 6, 1:45pm at UTAS Stadium
HAWKS
B: Sicily, Jeka, Scrimshaw
HB: Impey, Hardwick, Grainger-Barras
C: Ward, Mitchell, Morrison
HF: Serong, Breust, Macdonald
F: Butler, Gunston, Moore
FOLL: McEvoy, Nwcome, O‘Meara
I/C: Maginess, Nash, Day, Koschitze
EMG: Blank, Phillips, Howe
IN: Impey, Grainger-Barras, Serong
OUT: Jiath (suspended) Morris, Lewis (both injured), Blank (managed)
SUNS
B: Graham, Collins, Lemmens
HB: Faraar, Andrew, Ellis
C: Sharp, Miller, Hollands
HF: Ainsworth, Chol, Swallow
F: Lukosius, Casboult, Hollman
FOLL: Witts, Rowell, Anderson
I/C: Davies, Rankine, MacPherson, Rosas
EMG: Moyle, Bowes, Fiorini, Atkins
IN: Ellis, Davies
OUT: Atkins, Markov (both omitted), Oea (sub)
GWS GIANTS v ESSENDON
Saturday, August 6, 2:10pm at GIANTS Stadium
GIANTS
B: Cumming, Taylor, Haynes
HB: Kennedy, Keefe, Perryman
C: Kelly, Ward, Whitfield
HF: Taranto, Greene, Peatling
F: Coniglio, Hogan, Lloyd
FOLL: Preuss, Hopper, Green
I/C: Himmelberg, Aleer, Briggs
EMG: Brown, Ash, Fleeton, Bruhn
IN: Coniglio, Briggs, Riccardi
OUT: Ash, O‘Hallaran, Brown, (all omitted), Wehr (injured)
BOMBERS
B: Ridley, Laverde, Zerk-Thatcher
HB: Redman, Kelly, Hind
C:Durham, Langford, Heppell
HF: Guelfi, Martin, Hobbs
F: Wright, Stringer, Stewart
FOLL: Draper, Merrett, Parish
I/C: McGrath, Perkins, Snelling, Jones
EMG: D‘Ambrosio, Menzie, Bryan, Cutler
IN: Parish, McGrath
OUT: Caldwell, (injured), D‘Ambrosio, Menzie (sub)
WESTERN BULLDOGS v FREMANTLE
Saturday, August 6, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium
DOGS
B: Williams, Keath, Cordy
HB: Treloar, Darcy, Dale
C: Richards, Liberatore, Smith
HF: Johannisen, Bruce, Dunkley
F: Weightman, Naughton, Ugle-Hagan
FOL: English, Bontempelli, Macrae
I/C: West, McNeil, Daniel, Garcia
EMG: Martin, Vandermeer, McLean, Khamis
IN: Keath, Treloar, Darcy
OUT: Khamis, Hannan, McComb (all omitted), Gardner (injured)
DOCKERS
B: Chapman, Cox, Walker
HB: Young, Pearce, Ryan
C: Clark, Brayshaw, Acres
HF: Schultz, Lobb, Serong
F: Frederick, Taberner, Walters
FOL: Darcy, Brodie, Aish
I/C: Logue, Tucker, Mundy, O’Driscoll
EMG: Banfield, Johnson, Henry, Wilson
IN: Tucker, O’Driscoll
OUT: Henry, Colyer (both omitted), Banfield (sub)
GEELONG v ST KILDA
Saturday, August 6, 7:25pm at GMHBA Stadium
CATS
B: Guthrie, De Koning, Bews
HB: Kolodjashnij, Stewart, Henry
C: Duncan, Blicavs, Smith
HF: Close, Cameron, Stengle
F: Hawkins, Stanley, Dangerfield
FOL: Ceglar, C.Guthrie, Parfitt
I/C: O’Connor, Holmes, Atkins, Miers
EMG: Menegola, Tuohy, Dahlhaus, Evans
IN: Stanley
OUT: Selwood (managed), Rohan (injured)
SAINTS
B: Wilkie, Howard, Webster
HB: Battle, Sharman, Sinclair
C: Clark, Windhager, Wood
HF: Membrey, Hill, Butler
F: Higgins, King, Owens
FOL: Marshall, Steele, Ross
I/C: Paton, Hannebery, Crouch, Long
EMG: Jones, Lienert, Byrnes, Campbell
IN: Howard
OUT: Lienert, Byrnes (both omitted)
PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND
Saturday, August 6, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
B: Burton, Jonas, McKenzie
HB: Byrne-Jones, Aliir, Houston
C: Amon, Boak, Duursma
HF: Butters, Finlayson, Farrell
F: Gray, Dixon, Powell-Pepper
FOL: Teakle, Wines, Rozee
I/C: Bergman, Drew, Burgoyne, McEntee
EMG: Bonner, Clurey, Mead, Georgiades
IN: Houston, Teakle
OUT: Jones (injured), Marshall (HS protocol), Georgiades (omitted)
TIGERS
B: Gibcus, Tarrant, Balta
HB: Baker, Vlastuin, Rioli
C: Pickett, Short, McIntosh
HF: Graham, Cotchin, Bolton
F: Riewoldt, Cumberland, Lynch
FOL: Nankervis, Prestia, Sonsie
I/C: Ross, Miller, Rioli, Broad
EMG: Mansell, Dow, Edwards, Soldo
IN: Gibcus
OUT: Edwards (managed), Grimes (injured)
NORTH MELBOURNE v SYDNEY
Sunday, August 7, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium
KANGAROOS
B: Corr, McKay, La.Young
HB: Dawson, McDonald, Stephenson
C: Scott, Davies-Uniacke, Taylor
HF: Powell, Zurhaar, Greenwood
F: Curtis, Larkey, Ziebell
FOL: Goldstein, Simpkin, Horne-Francis
INT: Anderson, Coleman-Jones, Lazzaro, Hall
EMERG: Walker, Turner, Goater, Perez
IN: Corr, Young, Curtis, Hall
OUT: Bonar, Spicer, Turner (all omitted), Archer (injured), Walker (sub)
SWANS
B: McCartin, Rampe, McCartin
HB: Lloyd, Fox, Florent
C: McInerney, Mills, Stephens
HF: Hayward, Reid, Gulden
F: Papley, Franklin, Heeney
FOL: Hickey, Warner, Parker
INT: Blakey, Clarke, Rowbottom, McDonald,
EMERG: Roberts, Ladhams, Ronke, Kennedy
IN: McDonald
OUT: Amartey (omitted), Kennedy (sub)
BRISBANE v CARLTON
Sunday, August 7, 3:20pm at Gabba
LIONS
B: Gardiner, Adams, Rich
HB: Starcevich, Andrews, Coleman
C: Bailey, Zorko, McCluggage
HF: Rayner, Hipwood, McCarthy
F: McStay, Daniher, Cameron
FOL: McInerney, Neale, Berry
INT: Ah Chee, Lyons, Mathieson, Answerth
EMERG: Lohmann, Prior, Fort, Robinson
IN: Rich, Starcevich
OUT: Cockatoo, Robinson (both omitted), Fort (sub)
BLUES
B: Saad, Le.Young, Docherty
HB: Marchbank, Weitering, McGovern
C: Cottrell, Cripps, Cerra
HF: O’Brien, McKay, Owies
F: Motlop, Curnow, Silvagni
FOL: De Koning, Walsh, Fisher
INT: Martin, Setterfield, Dow, Newnes
EMERG: Pittonet, Kemp, Hayes, Durdin
IN: Marchbank, Martin, Dow, Kemp, Newnes
OUT: Kennedy, Newman (both injured), Pittonet, Durdin (both managed), Plowman (omitted)
WEST COAST v ADELAIDE
Sunday, August 7, 4:10pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
B: Hurn, Barrass, Duggan
HB: Hough, Edwards, Jones
C: Waterman, Kelly, Gaff
HF: Ryan, Darling, Cripps
F: Williams, Kennedy, Rioli
FOL: Naitanui, Redden, Shuey
I/C: Langdon, Petrevski-Seton, O’Neill, Foley
EMERG: Bazzo, Nelson, Clark, Dixon
IN: Kennedy, Langdon, Petrevski-Seton,
OUT: Petruccelle, West (both injured), Culley (suspension), Dixon (sub)
CROWS
B: Worrell, Butts, Hamill
HB: Smith, Murray, Dawson
C: Hinge, Laird, Jones
HF: McAdam, Fogarty, Keays
F: Milera, Walker, Murphy
FOL: O’Brien, Berry, Schoenberg
I/C: Soligo, Himmelberg, Parnell, McHenry
EMG: Frampton, Hately, Sholl, Davies
UNCHANGED
EXPERT TIPS
See who the Herald Sun and The Advertiser experts are picking this week:
Jane Bunn 129
Melbourne 6
Hawthorn 4
Essendon 5
Western Bulldogs 4
Geelong 20
Port Adelaide 10
Sydney 20
Brisbane Lions 10
Adelaide 5
Last Week 8
Scott Gullan 129
Melbourne 18
Hawthorn 11
Essendon 3
Western Bulldogs 7
Geelong 21
Port Adelaide 1
Sydney 55
Brisbane Lions 32
West Coast 5
Last Week 8
Rebecca Williams 126
Melbourne 10
Hawthorn 7
Essendon 11
Western Bulldogs 9
Geelong 12
Port Adelaide 10
Sydney 15
Brisbane Lions 8
Adelaide 6
Last Week 7
Jay Clark 124
Melbourne 12
Hawthorn 6
Essendon 16
Fremantle 14
Geelong 24
Port Adelaide 6
Sydney 36
Brisbane Lions 18
West Coast 6
Last Week 6
Sam Landsberger 123
Melbourne 32
Hawthorn 10
Essendon 1
Western Bulldogs 12
Geelong 22
Port Adelaide 2
Sydney 33
Carlton 5
West Coast 1
Last Week 7
Lauren Wood 123
Melbourne 11
Hawthorn 14
Essendon 22
Western Bulldogs 9
Geelong 22
Port Adelaide 9
Sydney 30
Brisbane Lions 21
West Coast 7
Last Week 7
Glenn McFarlane 122
Melbourne 1
Gold Coast 3
Essendon 6
Western Bulldogs 7
Geelong 25
Richmond 1
Sydney 30
Brisbane Lions 12
Adelaide 4
Last Week 7
Gerard Whateley 121
Melbourne 6
Hawthorn 4
Essendon 10
Western Bulldogs 8
Geelong 20
Richmond 2
Sydney 30
Brisbane Lions 1
Adelaide 12
Last Week 7
Tim Watson 120
Melbourne 16
Gold Coast 6
Essendon 12
Western Bulldogs 12
Geelong 28
Port Adelaide 6
Sydney 36
Brisbane Lions 10
West Coast 6
Last Week 5
Jon Ralph 118
Melbourne 9
Gold Coast 22
Essendon 2
Western Bulldogs 3
Geelong 38
Port Adelaide 5
Sydney 5
Brisbane Lions 9
Adelaide 3
Last Week 6
Mark Robinson 118
Melbourne 22
Gold Coast 11
Essendon 37
Western Bulldogs 12
Geelong 39
Richmond 2
Sydney 37
Brisbane Lions 31
Adelaide 3
Last Week 6
Simeon Thomas-Wilson 117
Melbourne 12
Gold Coast 6
GWS Giants 10
Western Bulldogs 16
Geelong 32
Richmond 6
Sydney 36
Brisbane Lions 18
West Coast 6
Last Week 7
Mick Malthouse 115
Melbourne 12
Gold Coast 6
Essendon 12
Western Bulldogs 16
Geelong 26
Port Adelaide 6
Sydney 32
Brisbane Lions 18
West Coast 6
Last Week 7
Liz Walsh 115
Melbourne 10
Gold Coast 6
Essendon 16
Western Bulldogs 14
Geelong 28
Port Adelaide 6
Sydney 30
Brisbane Lions 12
Adelaide 6
Last Week 6
Ebony Marinoff 114
Collingwood
Gold Coast
Essendon
Western Bulldogs
Geelong
Richmond
Sydney
Brisbane Lions
Adelaide
Last Week 8
Sally Capp 113
Collingwood 12
Gold Coast 14
Essendon 10
Western Bulldogs 20
Geelong 40
Richmond 17
Sydney 22
Brisbane Lions 18
West Coast 6
Last Week 7
Chris Cavanagh 113
Melbourne 12
Hawthorn 1
GWS Giants 1
Western Bulldogs 12
Geelong 36
Port Adelaide 1
Sydney 36
Brisbane Lions 12
Adelaide 18
Last Week 6
David King 111
Melbourne 6
Gold Coast 10
Essendon 15
Western Bulldogs 12
Geelong 26
Richmond 6
Sydney 32
Brisbane Lions 9
West Coast 7
Last Week 7
Matt Turner 111
Melbourne 6
Gold Coast 12
Essendon 10
Western Bulldogs 8
Geelong 26
Port Adelaide 6
Sydney 32
Brisbane Lions 9
West Coast 6
Last Week 7
James Hird 110
Melbourne 6
Gold Coast 6
GWS Giants 8
Western Bulldogs 6
Geelong 15
Richmond 8
Sydney 7
Brisbane Lions 9
Adelaide 15
Last Week 6
Kath Loughnan 110
Melbourne 12
Hawthorn 6
Essendon 10
Fremantle 12
Geelong 26
Richmond 10
Sydney 32
Brisbane Lions 12
West Coast 6
Last Week 6
Mick McGuane 110
Melbourne 17
Hawthorn 8
GWS Giants 11
Western Bulldogs 14
Geelong 27
Richmond 5
Sydney 40
Brisbane Lions 19
West Coast 10
Last Week 6
Dermott Brereton 109
Melbourne 12
Hawthorn 6
GWS Giants 9
Western Bulldogs 14
Geelong 28
Richmond 6
Sydney 36
Brisbane Lions 12
West Coast 6
Last Week 7
Sarah Jones 108
Melbourne 8
Hawthorn 12
Essendon 7
Western Bulldogs 6
Geelong 20
Richmond 8
Sydney 60
Brisbane Lions 9
West Coast 3
Last Week 7
Graham Cornes 107
Melbourne 6
Hawthorn 10
GWS Giants 8
Western Bulldogs 12
Geelong 28
Port Adelaide 6
Sydney 36
Brisbane Lions 14
Adelaide 6
Last Week 6
Chloe Molloy 100
Collingwood
Hawthorn
Essendon
Western Bulldogs
Geelong
Richmond
Sydney
Carlton
Adelaide
Last Week 6
Kiss of Death 51
Collingwood 13
Hawthorn 13
GWS Giants 13
Fremantle 13
St Kilda 13
Richmond 13
North Melbourne 13
Carlton 13
West Coast 13
Last Week 1
Season over? Bad news for Pies on Grundy injury
– Jay Clark
Collingwood star ruckman Brodie Grundy may miss the rest of the regular season with an ankle injury which is worse than first thought.
The gun big man will have more assessments on Thursday but could be sidelined for the next few weeks as Collingwood strongly considers trying to trade him at season’s end.
Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide have shown interest in Grundy, 28, who remains contracted at Collingwood for five more years and could yet elect to stay at the Magpies.
Other clubs are also expected to emerge in the race for Grundy post-season, with Collingwood open to moving Grundy on after signing him to a seven-year deal worth about $950,000 a season.
Grundy, who is one of the most damaging players in the competition at his best, reported ankle soreness after his comeback game in the VFL at the weekend.
The two-time Copeland Trophy winner trained on Tuesday but again pulled up sore and has since consulted specialists on the best course of action.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae said Grundy would not play at any level this week but could potentially press for selection the following week.
However, the next 48 hours will be significant as Grundy discusses his recovery options with medicos.
The damage in his ankle is believed to be worse than first thought, putting him in doubt to play in Collingwood’s run home to the finals against Sydney Swans and Carlton in the final two rounds.
It means Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox will remain in the box seat to spearhead the club’s big man division in finals, with the cloud hanging over Grundy’s fitness.
Collingwood will take no risks with the jet big man and dual All-Australian, who has not played AFL since hurting his knee against Essendon in round 6.
Surgery set to end key Tiger’s season
– Jon Ralph
Richmond co-captain Dylan Grimes is unlikely to take part in the rest of the Tigers’ 2022 campaign after hamstring surgery this week.
The Tigers confirmed on Friday that Grimes needed the surgery after pulling up short with hamstring damage during the win over Brisbane.
Grimes estimates he had done up to 10 hamstrings across his career and has already had previous surgery on both of his hamstrings.
Most hamstring tendon surgeries sideline players for 10 or more weeks.
It means the Tigers will not only have to qualify for finals without their star defender and on-field marshal, they will likely have to push for the premiership without him.
Richmond did not give a return date but the club said earlier in the week his latest hamstring issue was near his tendon.
“He had some scans yesterday and it’s a high hamstring strain up around the upper tendon and the upper hamstring, an area where he’s had an issue in the past, 10 years ago he had some surgery on that same area,” the club had said in a statement.
That 2012 surgery put him out for months, with Grimes telling the Herald Sun in 2017 he had been close to retirement after his second hamstring surgery.
He recovered to play a key role in the club’s three premiership triumphs.
“It sounds funny, but it literally feels like tearing muscle, tearing flesh,’’ he said.
“In some ways it’s like when you get a really good hit on your funny bone and there is this tingling. There is that shock of pain that hits you and then there is the aftermath with all the bleeding and recovery that goes with it.
“There are different grades and more severe ones, but instantly you know what has happened. “You know it’s five-weeks plus sidelined and there are times when you just throw your hands up in the air, you feel like there is absolutely nothing more you can do.”
Richmond has some defensive depth with first-year tall Josh Gibcus playing in the VFL last weekend after a solid debut campaign and Noah Balta a capable swingman.
Robbie Tarrant has also been in excellent form for the Tigers after a slow start to his first season at the club, but Grimes is as close to irreplaceable as any player in the competition.
Originally published as AFL Round 21 teams: See this week’s ins and outs plus expert tips and injury news
Track watch: Port gives glimpse into Lukosius plans
Port Adelaide recruit Jack Lukosius has long been adamant he is best used as a forward – but, as we learnt on Friday, Ken Hinkley might have other ideas. Get all the latest match sim intel.
Harley breaks down as Eagles go best v rest in match sim
In a concern for West Coast, young gun Harley Reid failed to complete match simulation on Friday – a session that revealed more about Andrew McQualter’s possible round 1 side.