AFL injuries 2021: Who’s hurt and who is ready to go in Round 18
The are already a flag favourite and the Western Bulldogs are about to get even stronger with two stars closing in on a return.
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Western Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley is in line for a return in Saturday’s clash against the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.
The Bulldogs have declared the midfield star available for selection after completing his rehabilitation from a shoulder reconstruction.
Dunkley has not played since Round 6 when he hurt his shoulder against the GWS Giants after averaging more than 30 disposals in the early rounds.
Bulldogs head of sports medicine Chris Bell said Dunkley’s recovery had been smooth and would be in the mix for selection.
“Josh’s rehabilitation following his shoulder reconstruction has gone fantastically well,” Bell said.
“He has been back into full training for the last couple of weeks and hasn’t missed a beat.
“He will be looking to put his hand up for selection this weekend.”
Dunkley’s return would be a huge boost for the second-placed Bulldogs in the run towards the finals.
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Key forward Aaron Naugton faces a fitness test to be cleared to play against the Suns after sitting out last weekend’s game against Sydney with concussion.
“He’s progressing well, but still has to work with our doctor to tick some boxes before we declare him available,” Bell said.
Bell said injured midfielder Adam Treloar had made “great progress” in the past two weeks and the club is hopeful he can return to full-training in the next two to three weeks.
“He is re-integrating back into some low-level footy drills, has started some speed running and he is building up his volumes,” Bell said.
“At this stage Adam has missed a lot of footy over the last two months so we are taking our time to make sure that he is fit and able to perform at AFL level.
“At this stage we remain optimistic that Adam will return to full training in the next two to three weeks and return to playing shortly after.”
SEASON OVER FOR HAWKS RUNNING MACHINE
Hawthorn excitement machine Changkuoth Jiath has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Jiath had been a bright spark in a forgettable campaign for the Hawks, thrilling fans with his run and dash off half-back.
But he finished the Hawks’ loss to Fremantle in Launceston on the bench after copping a knock.
Hawthorn physical performance manager Luke Boyd said Jiath’s season was now done.
“Unfortunately, CJ has sustained a PCL injury to that knee,” he said.
“Generally with a PCL injury, we don’t get much change in six-to-eight weeks, even for the lower grade ones, so that will mean he will not be available to play for the remainder of the season.
“On a positive note, we don’t anticipate this being a long-term issue for CJ and we think he will recover quite well from the injury.”
Jiath has played 16 games for the Hawks this year after seven across 2019 and 2020.
He has averaged 20 disposals for the Hawks this season.
LIONS’ CONFIRM WORST ON STAR HIPWOOD
The Lions have confirmed the worst for star forward Eric Hipwood after scans revealed the star forward has suffered an ACL rupture in his left knee.
Scans on Monday afternoon have confirmed it to be an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, which will rule him out for the rest of the season.
He is due to have surgery on Tuesday to repair the damage.
It’s a devastating blow for the Lions who sit fourth on the premiership ladder and face the Tigers on Friday night.
Brisbane’s general manager of football Danny Daly confirmed the news and said the club would support the youngster in his recovery.
“This is very disappointing news for both Hipwood and the club, but we will rally around him and provide our full support to him,” Daly said.
“He’ll require surgery and rehabilitation over the next 10-12 months and the club will provide all the help and support that he needs to get back out on the field.
“He’s in good spirits and he’s still got many years of footy ahead of him, and hopefully many more as a Lion.”
In further bad news for the Lions, youngster Connor Ballenden – who was in line to replace Hipwood on Friday night – also faces a stint in the casualty ward after suffering a suspected hamstring injury on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was playing in Brisbane VFL side against the Southport Sharks when he left the field in the third quarter with a tight hamstring.
GIANTS LOSE STAR FOR SYDNEY DERBY
Lachie Whitfield is out of Saturday’s Sydney Derby after failing a concussion test on Monday, a day after copping a head knock in a one-point loss to Gold Coast.
The Giants’ medical team scratched the star playmaker at half-time of Sunday’s clash as a precaution, with the second-quarter incident resulting in him suffering from blurred vision.
Suns defender Jack Bowes’ right fist accidentally connected with Whitfield’s head in an unsuccessful spoiling attempt, before the Giant kicked a set-shot goal.
The 26-year-old left the field soon after and underwent a head injury assessment that ruled him out of the game.
Whitfield has a history of migraines after previous head knocks – as coach Leon Cameron mentioned post-match – but they haven’t always doubled as a concussion.
He developed symptoms consistent with a concussion on Sunday night, then doctors diagnosed him with a concussion on Monday after he underwent a test.
The AFL introduced a 12-day concussion protocol for this season, which stops any footballer from playing the week after sustaining a brain injury.
Giants medical boss Cullan Ball said Whitfield had some “visual disturbances” after the Bowes incident and those symptoms “deteriorated” leading into half-time.
“At that point, he was sent off to hospital for observation and some further investigations to ensure that he didn’t have a facial fracture,” Ball said.
“Thankfully, those investigations came back clear. He checked in with the medical staff again today and had his concussion assessment, which he failed.
“He’s now been classified as a concussion and will enter the graded return-to-play protocol and we’ll see how he progresses over the next couple of weeks.”
Whitfield also suffered a concussion in Round 3 last season, when Bulldog enforcer Aaron Naughton collected him at full pace as he charged at the ball.
He failed a concussion test that night, but AFL rules at the time enabled him to play in the Giants’ next match seven days later.
SURGING SAINTS ABOUT TO GET EVEN STRONGER
St Kilda’s Dan Hannebery and James Frawley made successful returns to VFL action on Sunday as the Saints ramp up an unlikely finals charge.
Hannebery won 12 possessions and kicked a goal for Sandringham in limited minutes after another long battle with calf issues.
Frawley was making his own return from a calf issue and got through the game, as Jack Bytel sparkled with 36 possessions after a concussion.
Jack Lonie kicked five goals and Josh Battle won 24 possessions as they push for selection in a St Kilda team that knocked off contender Brisbane on Saturday night.
Mason Wood pulled out with a tight hamstring on Saturday night but should be available for selection against Port Adelaide next weekend.
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