AFL injury list: Who’s hurt, early selection mail for Round 5
Essendon is set to unveil a VFL recruit against Collingwood but there is doubt over who will take on Brodie Grundy. Plus will John Worsfold roll the dice on Conor McKenna? See who’s in the mix for your club this weekend.
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Essendon coach John Worsfold and the Bombers match committee have some tough decisions to make when they pick a team to take on Collingwood on Friday night.
Zach Merrett will miss through suspension but there is a likely club debutant in the form of former Kangaroo Mitch Hibberd.
Hibberd was delisted by North Melbourne at the end of the 2018 season after four senior games but forced his way back into the AFL system with a stunning year for VFL club Williamstown.
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The No.10 pick in last year’s rookie draft (priced at $114,400 in KFC SuperCoach) starred in a scratch match against Carlton on Monday, booting two goals from the midfield, and shapes as a likely inclusion for Merrett.
The Bombers might have an even bigger headache in the ruck, with first choice big man Tom Bellchambers failing to train on Wednesday. If he isn’t fit, former Blue Andrew Phillips is the likely replacement to face Magpies star Brodie Grundy.
Essendon fans beating the jungle drums about a debut for mature-age recruit Mitch Hibberd on Friday night.
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 1, 2020
Only 114k in #SuperCoach and kicked a couple in the most recent practice match.
Would be very handy.
Meanwhile, Worsfold is weighing up a “risk versus reward” strategy around picking Conor McKenna.
The Irishman has returned to the club having served a third period of quarantine following his positive-then-negative tests for COVID-19.
Worsfold said McKenna was in “great shape” both physically and mentally and had even completed a training session on his own this week as he pressed his claims to play against the Magpies.
But having seen a series of injuries in recent weeks, which Worsfold said could be related to a lack of full conditioning, he wasn’t sure McKenna could go straight back into an AFL battle.
Essendon and Collingwood have a 12-a-side scratch match planned for this weekend, and McKenna could play in that to get ready for a Round 7 return.
“I don’t know if I am leaning towards being conservative, but I am very conscious of rushing in a player and potentially losing them for three or four weeks (to injury),” Worsfold said on Wednesday.
“What he can do in the next few days versus just giving him a hit out, we’re weighing that up. There is definitely risk versus reward there.”
Young midfielder Dylan Clarke and mature-age recruit Mitch Hibberd looms as a potential inclusions to replace suspended Bomber Zach Merrett for Friday’s game.
CUNNINGTON BACK (FOR NOW)
North Melbourne has ruled out captain Jack Ziebell for Saturday’s clash against hte Western Bulldogs with a hamstring injury.
But the Kangaroos could have a major inclusion in the form of Ben Cunnington.
The star ballwinner will be named in the team on Thursday night but will have to pass a fitness test to prove he’s ready to return after missing two matches with a back problem.
“It’s really difficult to explain but he’s improving every day,” coach Rhyce Shaw said on Thursday.
“It’s just one of those things that you think you can get away with it, he trains and looks really good.
“It’s a bit of a tricky one but I’m certainly not apologising for giving him the chance to get up.
“We’ll name him but there will be an asterisk on that and we’ll see how he goes at training (on Friday).”
Shaw said he hoped Ziebell would miss only one week.
ZACH WHACK NO GOOD FOR JACK
Jack Silvagni will join suspended Bomber Zach Merrett on the sidelines this week after he suffered a bruised lung and fractured rib in his clash with the Essendon midfielder.
But Harry McKay is a “genuine chance” to take on the Saints on Thursday night.
The change in fixture — the Blues were to play Saturday but Queensland border restrictions forced a change to Thursday night — has meant McKay will be tested earlier than expected.
Carlton footy boss Brad Lloyd said McKay was rated a chance to return from injury to join Mitch McGovern and Levi Casboult in attack.
But Silvagni will have missed regardless of the fixture change after suffering a bruised lung and fractured rib in the clash that saw Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett suspended for a week.
“He would have missed anyway with that type of injury,” Lloyd told RSN radio.
“We’d be told by our medical group that he wouldn’t play.”
ASTBURY BLOW FOR OUT-OF-FORM TIGERS
Dual premiership Tiger David Astbury will be sidelined for up to five weeks after suffering an “unusual” knee injury that required surgery.
Astbury, 29, was felled in a marking contest in Richmond’s loss to St Kilda on Saturday with scans revealing floating cartilage that required removal on Tuesday.
And it means the key defender will miss at least a month.
“David had an incident in the game where he came down from a marking contest and had a little bit of a subluxation of the patella, which is an unusual injury,” club fitness boss Peter Burge said.
“He felt some discomfort with that and we checked him and he was just having a bit of an issue with landing and hopping.
“But we got him back out there and he was able to function for the rest of the game, albeit he was pretty sore.
“(He) had some scans on the Sunday and there’s a little bit of loose fragment of articular cartilage which had come off from behind the patella which needs to be removed.
“So he’s going into surgery today (Tuesday) and will probably miss around 4-5 weeks.”
Burge said that once Astbury returns, “we’ve just got to get that knee strong again and get him moving”.
Forward Josh Caddy suffered a minor glute strain in the loss, but Burge said he will train this week and be available to face Melbourne in the club’s reworked fixture.
SWANS BACK NAISMITH TO RETURN
Sydney coach John Longmire has declared with confidence that shattered ruckman Sam Naismith will play in the AFL again.
Naismith was greeted warmly by teammates on Monday after he turned up as an onlooker at training just days after suffering a second ruptured knee which put his footballing future under a dark cloud.
The 27-year-old did his ACL for the first time back in 2017 and missed two full years of football, only to suffer the same crippling injury in his second match back.
Naismith has also been privately mourning the tragic death of his sister over the past couple of months.
The injury-cursed big man is down, but not out, according to Longmire.
“It’s terrible news for him at the moment but he’ll digest that and get stuck into his rehab and get going again,” Longmire said.
“Once he has that operation you feel like then you’re having a step forward. I had two knee reconstructions myself.
“There is life after a couple of knee reconstructions. He’s just got to be able to embrace the challenge ahead, and get on with it, knowing full well that takes a little bit of time to digest.
“He’s got a bit of perspective he’s able to draw upon in life and be able to apply that into his rehab and get going with the job at hand.”
Longmire said Callum Sinclair will move back into the ruck chair to take on West Coast star Nic Naitanui on Saturday on the Gold Coast.
However, the Swans’ ruck depth is now at rock bottom again and this year there is no mid-year draft to help them.
Injured forward Sam Reid returned to training on Monday but is still at least a couple of weeks away from returning, however, young star Tom McCartin is on the training paddock and in contention to return against West Coast after missing a week through concussion.
LATEST AFL INJURY LIST
Another major blow for the Crows, with Darcy Fogarty not getting on the team bus to Brisbane. Arm in a sling. Injured at training on Friday. Elliott Himmelberg departed with team, looks set to come in. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/ysNoGyD2SG
— Will Crouch (@WillCrouch9) June 28, 2020
ADELAIDE
Adelaide young gun Chayce Jones has escaped a serious knee injury and could still play this weekend after he sent a big scare through the Crows camp in their Gold Coast hub.
The 20-year-old Tasmanian, who won the Crows emerging talent award last season and is one of the youngsters Matthew Nicks is hoping can inspire an Adelaide resurgence, went down with a right knee injury in a training session on Wednesday.
Jones had tackled another player to the ground and clashed knees in the collision.
Helped from the session by staff, Jones’ knee was tested and cleared of any structural damage.
Crows head of science and medicine Steve Saunders said Jones will remain in the selection mix for the Crows clash against Fremantle on Sunday.
“Chayce sustained a heavy contusion to the front of the right knee,” Saunders said.
“It appears to be a high-grade bone contusion, so we’ll monitor him closely over the next 24 hours and update tomorrow.”
Jones joins Crows captain Rory Sloane, exciting forward Darcy Fogarty and young defender Will Hamill as those in doubt for the Dockers match.
Sloane rolled his ankle against Brisbane on Sunday and will be given every chance to prove his fitness, Fogarty hurt his shoulder when trying to run through Brodie Smith and was a late withdrawal for the Lions clash and Hamill was concussed in just his second AFL match.
R. Atkins (shoulder) (3-5 weeks)
D. Fogarty (shoulder) test
J. Gallucci (achilles) season
R. Knight (achilles) test
W. Hamill (concussion) test
W. Milera (foot) 6-7 weeks
BRISBANE LIONS
After hobbling off the ground early in the win over the Crows, scans have this week confirmed a minor calf strain for Dayne Zorko. The Lions captain will miss up to three weeks. Veteran big man Stefan Martin, however, is close to a return, with the club hopeful the 33-year-old will be available for selection after a big week on the track.
D. Zorko (calf) TBA, expecting Round 7 return
S. Martin (hamstring) test, could be this week
M. Adams (foot) indefinite
CARLTON
The Blues expect to regain key forward Harry McKay (ribs) and midfielder Zach Fisher (ankle) for Thursday night’s clash with St Kilda as they chase their third consecutive win. Jack Silvagni, who suffered a bruised lung and fractured rib in the first term of Saturday’s victory over Essendon, will miss. Fisher won praise for his performance in a scratch match against the Bombers at the weekend and could squeeze debutant Sam Philp out of the Carlton side. Tom De Koning rucked against former Blue Andrew Phillips and it will be interesting to see whether David Teague wants to offer support to Marc Pittonet by calling on the young tall in coming rounds. Matthew Kennedy was the other standout from the scratch match.
P.Dow (knee) 1-2
C.Marchbank (knee) 2 weeks
M.Kreuzer (foot) 6-8 weeks
B.Kemp (ACL) season
C.Curnow (knee) season
N.Newman (knee) season
Once again, there's plenty to like from this vision.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 29, 2020
All the best moments from Saturday's reserves scratch match at Ikon Park, with impressive showings from Matthew Kennedy, Zac Fisher and many more.#OwnTheFuture
COLLINGWOOD
Jeremy Howe is a huge out this week, and for most of the season, after suffering a serious knee injury against GWS. Jack Magden is the obvious replacement down back but Irishman Mark Keane is a smoky. Neither will totally cover the in-form Howe, who was in career-best form, with Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard set to take on more rebounding responsibility. Howe’s loss will be partially offset by a major inclusion in the form of Adam Treloar, who is ready to play his first game of 2020. That could put Tyler Brown’s spot in the team at risk, although he could be saved if Steele Sidebottom is suspended for breaking COVID-19 rules. Josh Thomas was the travelling emergency last week and the Mason Cox v Darcy Cameron debate is far from settled.
L.Greenwood (knee/calf) 2-3
B.Reid (calf) 1-2
T.Langdon (knee) indefinite
D.Beams (mental health) indefinite
ESSENDON
The Bombers will make at least one change after opting not to challenge Zach Merrett’s one-match ban for striking Jack Silvagni. Twelve senior-listed Bombers played a scratch match against Carlton on Monday with Jayden Laverde (three goals) and Mitch Hibberd (two playing in the midfield) the standouts. Patrick Ambrose hurt his foot and is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Former Kangaroo Mitch Hibberd is set to make his Bombers debut against Collingwood while Conor McKenna is available after being released early from COVID-19 quarantine. At least we don’t have to worry about how Pies fans would treat him.
T.Cutler (calf) 2-3 weeks
P.Ambrose (foot) TBC
J.Stewart (quarantine) 1 week
D.Heppell (ankle) 12-16 weeks
S.Draper (knee) 1 week
N.Gown (foot) test
K.Mutch (wrist) 2-3
L.Johnson (knee) 8-10
J.Daniher (groin) indefinite
T.Hird (foot) season
FREMANTLE
After scans revealed a low-grade hamstring injury, skipper Nat Fyfe may only miss one to two weeks, according to the club. And that’s not the only good news for the Dockers on the injury front. Young forward Sam Sturt is a chance to make a surprise return against the Crows on Sunday after initially facing more than a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury, while ruckman Sean Darcy is available after getting through last weekend’s practice match. Recruit Blake Acres has returned to training and is edging closer to his Fremantle debut but the form of returning veteran Stephen Hill and draftees Hayden Young and Caleb Serong means the former Saint may need to bide his time.
Blake Acres (calf) – test
Sam Sturt (ankle) – test
Liam Henry (knee) – 1 week
Nat Fyfe (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
Brennan Cox (hip) – 1-3 weeks
Stefan Giro (ankle) – 3-5 weeks
Sam Switkowski (back) – TBA
Alex Pearce (ankle) – TBA
Joel Hamling (ankle) – TBA
GEELONG
Huge week at the Cattery with massive milestones for Gary Ablett (350 games) and Joel Selwood (300). You could have booked in a Geelong party when the fixture was announced, but the Suns suddenly aren’t such a pushover. Tom Stewart is a major loss after breaking his collarbone in an innocuous bump from Tom McDonald. The Cats weren’t overly forthcoming on how long he’ll miss after surgery on Monday; footy boss Simon Lloyd said “hopefully he’ll be back at the club in no time”. Harry Taylor is his likely replacement after being “managed” last weekend. Tom Atkins had just one disposal against the Dees and was sore after a knock to the chest and Patrick Dangerfield was flattened by Michael Hibberd, but both should come up for Saturday, although Quinton Narkle was unlucky to be dropped last week and is ready if needed. Another name to watch is Nakia Cockatoo, who got through 50 minutes in his second scratch match as he navigates yet another injury comeback.
R.Stanley (knee) 2-4
T.Atkins (ribs) test
J.Jenkins (back) 1-2
T.Stewart (shoulder) 4-8
O.Brownless (shoulder) TBC
S.Okunbor (achilles) season
J.Tarca (quad) TBC
GOLD COAST
Anthony Miles is back in full training and available for selection after overcoming a hamstring injury. But with the midfield flying, and Brayden Fiorini and Will Brodie also battling for a spot, it’s tough to see the former Tiger forcing his way back in. Rory Thompson’s stint on the sidelines, which dates back to 2018, will continue after the key defender had knee surgery last week. But, otherwise, the Suns are healthy and it’s why Josh Corbett, Izak Rankine and Jeremy Sharp will have to wait a little longer, despite impressive reserves scratch match performances.
R. Thompson (knee) Round 11 return
A. Miles (hamstring) Round 5 return
GWS GIANTS
The Giants haven’t ruled out key defender Phil Davis, who hurt his hamstring in Thursday’s win against Collingwood. While Davis will have to pass a fitness test this week after experiencing hamstring tightness, GWS says he could still feature against Hawthorn. Defender Zac Williams wasn’t as lucky and is expected to miss four weeks after tearing a hamstring tendon. His possible replacement – Isaac Cumming – will miss 10-12 weeks after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the reserves scratch match. Meanwhile, GWS expects best and fairest Tim Taranto to make his playing return from shoulder surgery in 2-3 weeks.
P Davis (hamstring) Test
Tim Taranto (shoulder) 2-3 weeks
Tom Hutchesson (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Sam Reid (calf) 4 weeks
Zac Williams (hamstring) 4 weeks
Isaac Cumming (hamstring) 10-12 weeks
HAWTHORN
Luke Breust will miss at least a month after breaking his jaw in a collision with Todd Goldstein. “He woke up on Monday morning and he was quite sore through there, so we got the area scanned,” physical performance manager Luke Boyd said. “What that’s shown is a small fracture through his jaw, so he will have surgery on that in the next 24 hours and he will miss a few weeks of football.” The Hawks say a foot issue that forced Jonathon Patton out of last Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne was minor and he will be available to play against his old side. Mitch Lewis, who took his spot, kicked 1.1 from four kicks. Paul Puopolo and Ricky Henderson just missed the Roos game and could come in, while Ollie Hanrahan could be in danger after just seven disposals last week.
J.Patton (foot) test
C.Jiath (hamstring) 1 week
M.Walker (ankle) 1 week
J.Impey (ACL) 3 weeks
L.Breust (jaw) 4-5
D.Howe (foot) indefinite
W.Golds (ACL) season
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MELBOURNE
Defenders Marty Hore (quad) and Harry Petty (groin) had surgery last week, but ruckman Braydon Preuss will make his return from an achilles injury in this week’s scratch match. The Demons otherwise boast an almost clean bill of health, with only Aaron Nietschke (knee) and Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) sidelined long-term. Coach Simon Goodwin will make a call on Harley Bennell, who was left out against the Cats after being named for the cancelled game against Essendon.
M.Hore (toe/quad) indefinite
H.Petty (groin) indefinite
K.Kolodjashnij (concussion) indefinite
A.Nietschke (knee) season
NORTH MELBOURNE
The Roos would love to have best-and-fairest Ben Cunnington available after he missed the past two games with a nerve issue in his back. After North Melbourne’s loss to Hawthorn on Sunday, Roos coach Rhyce Shaw said: “It’s not ideal for Ben. It’s not ideal for us. He looked really good at a point during the week … but just woke up and it’s not to the standard. We can’t roll him out there and give him the best chance of playing when he can’t bend down.” The other major headache for Shaw is the fitness of skipper Jack Ziebell, who hurt his hamstring in the loss to the Hawks and also rolled an ankle.
J.Ziebell (hamstring) test
R.Tarrant (ribs) test
B.Cunnington (back) test
L.Davies-Uniacke (groin) TBC
T.Garner (hamstring) 3 weeks
B.Jacobs (concussion) indefinite
N.Larkey (foot) 1-2
F.Perez (knee) TBC
K.Turner (foot) 1-2
D.Tyson (calf) test
E.Vickers-Willis (turf toe) 1-2
C.Comben (back/knee) TBC
Shaw: Cunnington woke up with injury a couple of weeks ago, and essentially hasn't gotten better.
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) June 28, 2020
PORT ADELAIDE
Following minor knee surgery, defender Ryan Burton has rejoined Power training this week and could put his hand up for Saturday night’s clash with the Eagles. This means a near full-strength Port Adelaide side may only be missing young gun Xavier Duursma, who is at least a fortnight away with a hamstring injury, from its best-22.
R. Burton (knee) test
W. Drew (foot) 3-5 weeks
X. Duursma (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
RICHMOND
How do the Tigers get out of their rut? Four changes last week didn’t do the trick but there could be a similar number for Sunday’s newly scheduled clash against the Demons. At least one will be forced after scans revealed cartilage damage in David Astbury’s knee. Kamdyn McIntosh returned to the team and had little influence while Sydney Stack has struggled all season to recapture his 2019 magic. Toby Nankervis was huge in the ruck but could need some help against Max Gawn – Noah Balta has been knocking on the door and Mabior Chol impressed in a scratch match against St Kilda. Marlion Pickett had nine tackles in that game and Daniel Rioli kicked two goals as both seek to regain their premiership touch, while Patrick Naish showed plenty of dash — something the Tigers have been lacking since the season restart.
D.Astbury (knee) 4-5
J.Caddy (glute) test
W.Martyn (foot) 2-4
B.Nyuon (shoulder) 3-5
N.Cumberland (knee) season
What a shiner. pic.twitter.com/HmVA2h6aP2
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) June 27, 2020
ST KILDA
The Saints are flying but have a few issues to deal with in a suddenly shorter week. Zak Jones faces a fitness test after coming off against Richmond with a tight hamstring and Jade Gresham is in a race against time to recover from an ugly poke in the eye. In better news the Saints say Bradley Hill is fine after rolling his ankle in the 26-point win. If Gresham doesn’t come up for Thursday night watch for a debut from ball-winner Jack Bytel. Taken with pick 41 in the 2018 draft, he missed all of last season with a back injury. Forgotten man Jimmy Webster was managed and didn’t play at all last weekend, while captain Jarryn Geary must be close to a return from a hamstring. Luke Dunstan will be out of action for three months after tearing a pectoral muscle in last weekend’s scratch match against Richmond. Paddy Ryder was rested with soreness but Rowan Marshall returned to his outstanding 2019 form so Brett Ratten will be tempted to deploy him as a solo ruckman again against Marc Pittonet as St Kilda looks to cement its spot in the top echelon of the ladder.
L.Dunstan (pectoral) 10-12
J.Gresham (eye) test
J.Geary (hamstring) test
Z.Jones (hamstring) test
SYDNEY
Ruckman Sam Naismith added to the list of injured talls at the Swans when he went down with a knee injury on Thursday. The luckless big man was playing his first match since returning from a hamstring injury and is facing his second knee reconstruction. He underwent knee surgery in pre-season of 2018 and then missed last season with complications from the injury. Sam Gray, Colin O’Riordan and Chad Warner were standouts in the club’s latest scratch match. O’Riordan and Gray were both dropped for Round 4. Tom McCartin should be in contention to return after missing the Bulldogs clash with concussion.
S.Naismith (ACL) season
T.McCartin (concussion) test
S.Reid (calf) 2-3
K.Brand (ankle) 1-2
L.Franklin (hamstring) TBC
M.Knoll (knee) 3-5 weeks
Good to see this man at training this morning with a smile on his face @samnaismith35.#Bloods2020 pic.twitter.com/espujI3wEP
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) June 30, 2020
WEST COAST
The extra two days, following the fixture changes, should see star defender Jeremy McGovern return in Round 5, after two weeks on the sidelines with an ankle issue. The four-time All-Australian is likely to replace Will Schofield, who was suspended for one match for headbutting. Club debutant Jamaine Jones did enough but exciting small-forward Jarrod Cameron is available after overcoming a groin injury and increasing his practice match workload.
Jeremy McGovern (ankle) – test
Ben Johnson (shoulder) – 1 week
Mark Hutchings (knee) – 3-4 weeks
Daniel Venables (concussion) – season
Mitch O’Neill (back) – indefinite
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Serious injuries to Aaron Naughton and Sam Lloyd soured the Dogs’ impressive win against Sydney. Naughton is set to miss 6-8 weeks with an ankle injury and Lloyd will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a broken collarbone. Losing their two leading goalkickers from last season will force a reshuffle in the Dogs forward line, with Josh Schache and Tory Dickson options for coach Luke Beveridge. In better news, captain Easton Wood (quad) and Lin Jong (achilles) could be back against North Melbourne, along with small forward Ben Cavarra, who has recovered from a broken hand. Lachie Hunter has one more match to serve of his club suspension.
Ben Cavarra (hand) available
Easton Wood (quad) test
Lin Jong (achilles) test
Taylor Duryea (quad) 2-3 weeks
Sam Lloyd (collarbone) 4-6 weeks
Josh Dunkley (ankle) 5-7 weeks
Aaron Naughton (ankle) 6-8 weeks
Riley Garcia (knee) indefinite
Originally published as AFL injury list: Who’s hurt, early selection mail for Round 5