Early mail: AFL injury list, selection analysis and KFC SuperCoach intel for Round 8
A top draft pick has been forced to leave Carlton’s hub. Meanwhile North Melbourne is in more trouble, with Jy Simpkin in doubt for this week. Get the latest selection whispers and KFC SuperCoach intel.
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Carlton hasn’t given up hope of Liam Stocker returning to its Queensland hub later in the year after the midfielder was forced to leave for Victoria for family reasons.
The Blues confirmed to the Herald Sun today the 20-year-old had left the club’s hub to return home.
They are hopeful he will be in a position to return at some stage, but the club was prepared to give him as much time as he needed with his family.
Stocker’s departure from the hub comes as the Blues prepare to take on North Melbourne at the Gabba on Saturday.
Carlton will then fly to Western Australia where the Blues are committed to stay until at least the end of Round 12, when they take on Fremantle on August 15.
Stocker hasn’t added to his nine AFL games - all played last season - this year, having joined the Blues as pick 19 in the 2018 national draft.
It comes as the Blues are preparing for a slight tweak to the next phase of their fixture, which was released late on Tuesday.
Carlton is scheduled to meet Hawthorn in Perth on Thursday July 30 before both clubs have a bye in the next condensed round of matches.
The AFL is looking at moving the Blues-Hawks clash at Optus Stadium to Friday night as the earlier game before the Essendon-Brisbane game at Metricon Stadium.
SUPERCOACH STAR IN DOUBT FOR BLUES CLASH
- Lauren Wood
More than 40,000 KFC SuperCoaches face losing one of the game’s best scorers with breakout star Jy Simpkin in doubt for Round 8.
The North Melbourne midfielder reportedly missed training on Wednesday due to an ankle issue and is expected to be ruled out of the Roos’ clash with Carlton.
Simpkin has been a shining light for North Melbourne this season, averaging 110.7 KFC SuperCoach points.
He hurt his ankle in the club’s heavy defeat to Richmond but battled on to score 57 KFC SuperCoach points.
Channel 10 reported on Wednesday Simpkin was unlikely to recover in time to face Carlton on Saturday.
His absence would be another blow to the injury-hit Roos, who will also be without skipper Jack Ziebell (hamstring) and Ben Cunnington (back).
Meanwhile, Essendon’s injury crisis shows no signs of easing with All-Australian defender Cale Hooker likely to miss a month of footy.
Hooker suffered a calf injury in the Bombers’ loss to the Western Bulldogs.
“He actually sustained a cork to the other calf early in the match which he felt impeded his running mechanics and that overloaded the other calf that he injured.,” head of medical services David Rundle said.
“He won’t be available to play this week and should resume running in the next 10-12 days.”
Under the newly released compressed fixture a four-week injury could mean a player misses up to six matches.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell is expected to at miss at least a month with his latest hamstring injury, but has dismissed claims he returned too soon as “rubbish”.
Ziebell’s outing against Richmond on Saturday night was over before he had even touched the ball, but he said he had been “triple-checked” in the lead-up to the game and given the green light to play.
“Our medicos put together some critical measures that I had to meet at training to be able to play, and I hit those measures for two weeks straight,” he said.
“I was almost ready to go the week before, but we decided to be cautious and gave it one more week.
“I trained the next week and ticked all the boxes again. I was cleared … double-checked and triple-checked, but it was just one of those things.”
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE YOUR CLUB'S INJURY LIST AND SELECTION WHISPERS
At Sydney, Lance Franklin’s hamstring issue continues to linger with Sydney coach John Longmire confirming there is still no timeline set for the superstar forward’s return.
Franklin, 33, has not played this year and suffered a further setback in late May as the game prepared to restart from the COVID-19 shutdown.
The All-Australian captain was last week listed as 2-3 weeks away on the league’s official injury list, with that now pushed to 4-5 weeks, though Longmire has conceded that the goalkicker still has “a fair way to go” before any return.
“It’s something that we’re trying to get right. But he’s not back into training yet. He’s running, but he’s still got a fair way to go.
“Not yet (to we have any time frame). We’re not sure yet.”
He said that Franklin had been “wonderful” in an off-field capacity in recent months.
“He’s been wonderful to be able to help with the players off the field,” he said.
“We’d like him to be on the field and helping them on the field, as much as anything.”
The Swans will meet Hawthorn on Saturday, with the Hawks smarting after last Sunday’s loss to Melbourne.
The Demons will take on Brisbane at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, and while forward Tom McDonald has recovered from his eye injury, coach Simon Goodwin conceded that there will be no “automatic” selection.
“I think we’re still finding our best mix is and we’ll continue to look at how we function,” Goodwin said on SEN.
“He’s no different to any other player, we’ll pick the team that’s in form.”
Carlton young gun Jack Silvagni will also miss at least another week after irritating his knee in his return via a scratch match.
“Jack Silvagni irritated his ITB (iliotibial band) as it’s known,” Carlton high performance boss Andrew Russell said.
“We probably won’t play him this week … he’ll probably miss one or two games. We’ll build him back up to play again.”
Zac Fisher will be available for selection for the first time since Round 1, after recovering from a syndesmosis injury.
WESTERN BULLDOGS NAME FIFTH DEBUTANT OF 2020
— Reece Homfray
Midfielder Callum Porter will become the Western Bulldogs’ fifth debutant of the season when he runs out against Gold Coast on Thursday night.
The 21-year-old was told the news by coach Luke Beveridge in front of the players at training at Surfers Paradise on Tuesday and congratulated by his teammates who were clearly thrilled.
Porter was drafted with Pick No. 74 from the Gippsland Power in 2017 and impressed in the VFL last year and a scratch match against Essendon last weekend.
His debut at Metricon Stadium comes just a week after Cody Weightman starred with two goals – including a spectacular set shot from the pocket – last week, while Louis Butler and Laitham Vandermeer made their AFL debuts earlier in the season.
LATEST AFL INJURY LIST
ADELAIDE
No fresh injury concerns for the Crows out of the 23-point loss to the Saints on Monday night so all eyes now turn to forward Darcy Fogarty, who is some chance to return from a shoulder injury on Sunday. It will continue to be about the kids for a winless Crows this year and in the scratch match against the Power on Saturday, defenders Jordon Butts and Josh Worrell impressed, while the No. 24 pick from last year’s draft, Harry Schoenberg, continues to put pressure on a struggling midfield. Experienced pair Riley Knight and Rory Atkins also now have some much-needed game-time in their legs.
Darcy Fogarty (shoulder) test
R.Sloane (hand) 3-5
W.Milera (foot) 3-5
Jordan Gallucci (achilles) Season
BRISBANE LIONS
Chris Fagan’s men got the job done against the Giants last weekend and could go into Sunday’s clash with Demons unchanged. Strong-bodied midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen is progressing well in his recovery from a calf injury and is an outside chance to be available.
C. Ellis-Yolmen (calf) test
M.Adams (foot) 5 weeks
C.McFadyen (knee) season
CARLTON
The Blues dodged any injury concerns from their heartbreaker against Port Adelaide, although the form of ruckman Marc Pittonet (three disposals and 20 hit-outs) against inexperienced Power big man Peter Ladhams was a worry. Pittonet will hold his spot for the next month at least though, with Matthew Kreuzer still sidelined. He will face a huge test against Todd Goldstein in Round 8. Midfielder Paddy Dow was one of Carlton’s standouts in a practice match against St Kilda and could play his first game since Round 1, while former Tiger Callum Moore kicked two goals against the Saints. Moore has been close to selection in recent weeks but Carlton’s bevy of talls has kept him on the outer. Matt Cottrell could debut in coming weeks should the Blues be forced to draw on their depth, while Sam Philp is in line for greater senior opportunities. Jack Silvagni will miss again and Carlton would love to have defender Caleb Marchbank (knee) back soon.
J.Silvagni (knee) TBC
C.Marchbank (knee) 1-2
M.Kreuzer (foot) 3-5
C.Curnow (knee) season
B.Kemp (knee) season
N.Newman (knee) season
COLLINGWOOD
Jordan De Goey’s home-and-away campaign is almost certainly over after undergoing surgery on a torn finger tendon. De Goey was one of the Magpies’ stars in their victory over Geelong but now faces a race against time to return for finals. Collingwood officials said the injury could sideline the star forward for 6-10 weeks. Mason Cox was a late withdrawal before the Cats’ clash and looms as his likely replacement, although Darcy Cameron will also be in the mix if the Magpies opt for a tall. Josh Thomas is another player in contention to fill the De Goey void after he was the carry-over emergency in Round 7. Flynn Appleby could be the surprise inclusion after bagging seven goals in two practice matches. Brayden Sier is putting pressure on fellow inside midfielder Rupert Wills, who had 13 disposals against the Cats, while defender Matt Scharenberg will be considered.
J.De Goey (finger) 6-8
B.Reid (calf) test
A.Tohill (concussion) test
T.Ruscoe (hamstring) test
M.Scharenberg (ribs) test
L.Greenwood (knee) 1-2
T.Langdon (knee) indefinite
J.Howe (knee) 8-12
D.Beams (mental health) indefinite
W.Kelly (elbow) season
ESSENDON
Another key player joined the Bombers’ injury list on Tuesday night with news Cale Hooker will miss up to a month. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher was called on to cover injuries in defence early in the season and may be needed again. Marty Gleeson was “managed” last week and should be a available along with Tom Cutler, who has been missing since Round 2 with a calf problem. Will John Worsfold prefer Tom Bellchambers against the Crows after Andrew Phillips was taken to the cleaners by Tim English? Aaron Francis is also available. Meanwhile, Jake Stringer (syndesmosis), Patrick Ambrose (foot), Harrison Jones (foot), Lachlan Johnson (knee) and Tom Hird (foot) have flown to the Gold Coast to continue their rehab in the Bombers’ hub.
C.Hooker (calf) 2-4
J.Daniher (groin) indefinite
P.Ambrose (Foot) TBC
D.Heppell (ankle) indefinite
M.Gleeson (managed) test
T.Hird (foot) season
L.Johnson (knee) 5-7
J.Stringer (ankle) 5-7
FREMANTLE
There will be no quick return from a hamstring injury for Nat Fyfe this week, with the skipper likely to be sidelined for another fortnight. But the immediate outlook is more positive for Reece Conca and Sam Sturt, who could both put their hand up for selection given the eight-day break. The club, however, has confirmed exciting Draftee Hayden Young will miss an extended period after having ankle surgery.
R Conca (hamstring) Test
S Sturt (ankle) Test
J Hogan (calf) 1-2 weeks
N Fyfe (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
S Giro (ankle) 2-3 weeks
H Young (ankle) TBC
G Logue (toe) TBC
A Pearce (ankle) TBC
J Hamling (ankle) TBC
S Switkowski (back) TBC
GEELONG
The Cats will have to replace skipper Joel Selwood and young gun Jordan Clark, who were hurt in their loss to Collingwood. Coach Chris Scott said on Thursday the club was optimistic Selwood’s hamstring injury would not sideline him for long. Quinton Narkle and Rhys Stanley are likely at least two weeks away, while Gary Ablett has returned to Victoria for family reasons. Geelong will regain defender Tom Stewart, who has recovered from a broken collarbone, and midfielder Mitch Duncan, who suffered a minor hamstring strain against Brisbane Lions. Reigning VFL best-and-fairest Sam Simpson has seized his opportunity in the past two weeks and fringe Cats such as Zach Guthrie, Charlie Constable and Lachie Fogarty are set to figure in selection discussions. Expect Jack Steven to take on a more prominent midfield role in Selwood’s absence.
J.Clark (shoulder) 4-8
J.Selwood (hamstring) 2-3
M.Duncan (hamstring) test
R.Stanley (knee) 1-2
T.Stewart (shoulder) test
Q.Narkle (hamstring) 1-2
T.Atkins (ribs) 1-2
O.Brownless (shoulder) 1-3
J.Jenkins (back) 1-2
S.Okunbor (achilles) test
GOLD COAST
For the second week running, the Suns reported no new injuries, giving coach Stuart Dew a healthy squad to pick from as his side prepares for its first prime-time appearance on Thursday night. But, with a five-day break, recovery will be important to help avoid any late, forced change. Experienced midfielders Anthony Miles and Corey Ellis and defender Chris Burgess impressed in the weekend’s scratch match against the Lions, while Rory Thompson (knee) and George Horlin-Smith (foot) will ramp up their training over the next fortnight.
M.Rowell (shoulder) Indefinite
G.Horlin-Smith (foot) 2 weeks
R.Thompson (knee) 2 weeks
M.Riordan (knee) season
L.Towey (eye) 2-3
GWS GIANTS
Livewire Toby Greene will return to GWS Giants’ team this round if he gets through training. Greene missed the Giants’ loss to Brisbane Lions and will provide a sorely-needed spark as GWS tries to get its campaign back on track. Draftee Tom Hutchesson will play his first game for the club in a scratch match after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Adam Kennedy and Zac Williams are a week away from returning after hamstring issues. Daniel Lloyd passed concussion protocols last week but the Giants took a cautious approach and he was a late withdrawal. Matt De Boer curtailed Lachie Neale at the weekend and will likely have the job on Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin on Friday night.
T.Greene (shin) test
I.Cumming (hamstring) 8-10
S.Taylor (back) TBC
A.Kennedy (hamstring) 1 week
Z.Williams (hamstring) 1 week
S.Reid (calf) 2
C.Ward (knee) 3-5
HAWTHORN
Where to now for the Hawks? Paul Puopolo was dropped last week, will Alastair Clarkon make the tough calls on other ageing stars? Shaun Burgoyne is battling (fair enough, at age 37) but Ricky Henderson was Hawthorn’s highest possession-winner against Melbourne apart from key defender James Sicily. There is no easy fix but Clarko has to keep playing the kids. An ankle injury to Tim O’Brien doesn’t help, but Jon Ceglar could return from a broken toe and Luke Breust isn’t far off.
J.Patton (hamstring) 3 weeks
L.Breust (jaw) 2 weeks
D.Howe (foot) test
T.O’Brien (ankle) 1-2
W.Golds (ACL) season
MELBOURNE
The Demons head further north with a top-eight spot in reach after their emphatic win over Hawthorn. Melbourne has one of the cleanest bills of health in the AFL, with only Tom McDonald missing from their best 22. Coach Simon Goodwin was hopeful McDonald would be passed fit to face the Brisbane Lions but the club will take no risks with the key forward’s eye. While changes seem unlikely after Melbourne’s commanding victory, Nathan Jones, Alex Neal-Bullen, Adam Tomlinson and Joel Smith were in the extended squad for Round 7. Each of that quartet is likely to feature in the coming months due to quick turnarounds between matches.
T.McDonald (eye) test
H.Petty (groin) indefinite
K.Kolodjashnij (concussion) indefinite
M.Hore (quad/toe) indefinite
A.Nietschke (knee) season
NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday night was a disaster on all fronts for the Roos, who kicked just two goals against the Tigers and lost Cam Zurhaar (a late withdrawal with a calf injury), Jack Ziebell (who went down with another hamstring injury before touching the ball) and Kyron Hayden (who was stretchered off after a crazy brave marking attempt when he ran back into the path of a steam train named Tom Lynch. If that wasn’t bad enough, Jy Simpkin played out the game after receiving treatment for an ankle problem. Zurhaar should be available to face Carlton while Jed Anderson is another likely inclusion. But the mystery over Ben Cunnington’s return continues.
B.Cunnington (back) TBC
K.Hayden (concussion) test
J.Simpkin (ankle) test
C.Zurhaar (calf) test
W.Walker (quad) test
J.Anderson (quad) test
J.Ziebell (hamstring) TBC
D.Tyson (calf) test
E.Vickers-Willis (turf toe) test
T.Garner (hamstring) 1-2
T.Thomas (concussion) TBC
C.Comben (back/knee) TBC
B.Jacobs (head/neck) TBC
F.Perez (knee) TBC
PORT ADELAIDE
After failing to complete last week’s main training session, ruckman Scott Lycett was a late withdrawal against the Blues. And he’s a chance to miss again with the club to monitor a minor PCL issue ahead of the home clash with the Bombers. Given the performance of replacement Peter Ladhams, the Power are unlikely to take any risk on Lycett. There’s also some concern over first-choice trio Ryan Burton (quad), Steven Motlop (ankle) and Connor Rozee (heel), who have all been sent for scans following Round 7 injuries. In good news, however, Brad Ebert will return from suspension in a boost for Ken Hinkley’s ladder-leading side.
R.Burton (quad) TBC
S.Motlop (ankle) TBC
S.Lycett (knee) 1 week
C.Rozee (heel) test
C.Sutcliffe (hamstring) test
RICHMOND
The Tigers lost another premiership player for multiple weeks with Josh Caddy succumbing to a hamstring injury against North Melbourne. His loss will be offset by the likely return of David Astbury to stand Jeremy Cameron. They aren’t exactly a like-for-like swap which could put Noah Balta in danger, although he hasn’t done much wrong. Jack Ross and Sydney Stack will come into consideration with Damien Hardwick likely to give Trent Cotchin another week to recover from his hammy issue.
D.Astbury (knee) test
J.Caddy (hamstring) 4-6
T. Cotchin (hamstring) 1 week
N. Cumberland (ACL) season
S.Edwards (personal) indefinite
B. Houli (personal) indefinite
W. Martyn (foot) 1-3
T.Nankervis (ankle) 3-6
D.Prestia (ankle) 3-6
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ST KILDA
Brett Ratten promised to swing the axe last week and Jon Marsh copped the full brunt of it (he was the only out, apart from suspended Ben Long). He could come back in if Josh Battle doesn’t recover from concussion in time for the return trip to Adelaide to face the Power. Ryan Byrnes was quiet on debut (five disposals) but would be unlucky to miss out, although Jack Sinclair can’t stay an emergency forever – at least until rival clubs notice he hasn’t played a senior game in 2020.
J.Battle (concussion/cheekbone) test
D.Hannebery (hamstring) test
L.Dunstan (pectoral) 6-8
SYDNEY
The Swans might not have to make any changes this week depending on how Irishman Colin O’Riordan pulls up from a hip injury. There is depth on the fringes with Sam Gray, Lewis Taylor and Justin McInerney all capable if required, but at the moment serious star power is lacking with Isaac Heeney, Josh Kennedy and Lance Franklin in the stands. Saturday’s clash against the Hawks might not break any scoring records but it will be an interesting battle of the minds in the coach’s boxes.
C.O’Riordan (hip) test
W.Hayward (knee) test
M.Knoll (knee) 1-2
K.Brand (groin) 1-2
L.Franklin (hamstring) 4-5
J.Kennedy (knee) 5-6
B.Ronke (back) 6-7
I.Heeney (ankle) season
S.Naismith (knee) season
WEST COAST
It’s good news for the Eagles, who have surged into the top eight following three straight victories, with skipper Luke Shuey a likely inclusion for Sunday’s clash with the Magpies. The 30-year-old, who was a late withdrawal last week, will be a big boost ahead of a showdown with an in-form Collingwood midfield. Mark Hutchings would be handy to help curtail the influence of Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams, but he’s still another week away. Tall wingman Jarrod Brander is available after overcoming a hip complaint, but will Adam Simpson change a winning side?
L Shuey (hamstring) Test
B Ah Chee (back) Test
M Hutchings (knee) Test
J Jones (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
J Petruccelle (hamstring) 4-5 weeks
M O’Neill (back) tbc
D Venables (concussion) Head
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Luke Beveridge’s mass changes last week had the desired effect with Matt Suckling, Hayden Crozier and the exciting Cody Weightman all having an impact – not great news for Josh Schache, Rhylee West, Toby McLean and Louis Butler. Most of the injured Dogs are still weeks away but Josh Dunkley was spotted on a Gold Coast golf course this week after players were released from strict quarantine.
R.Gardner (calf) test
T.Duryea (quad) 3-5
J.Dunkley (ankle) 3-5
A.Naughton (ankle) 4-6
L.Jong (ankle) 4-6
R.Garcia (knee) indefinite
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Originally published as Early mail: AFL injury list, selection analysis and KFC SuperCoach intel for Round 8