By Peter Ryan and Angus Delaney
In today’s AFL Briefing, your wrap of footy news:
- Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps has given an update on Charlie Curnow, Jagga Smith and Sam Walsh.
- Tarryn Thomas will not be playing in the VFL with the Northern Bullants this season.
Injury blues: Curnow eyes return by round three
Angus Delaney
Charlie Curnow’s latest surgery could push his season debut to round three, but Sam Walsh will be ready for Carlton’s first game as the Blues come to terms with losing their star draft pick to injury for the year.
Curnow had a screw removed from his knee last week, marking his third surgery since last season, but captain Patrick Cripps said the two-time Coleman medallist didn’t need a long run-up before playing.
Patrick Cripps in a practice match against St Kilda on Saturday. Credit: Getty Images
“He’s a freak, so he’s probably one guy that defies the logic around pre-season,” Cripps said on Monday.
“So he’s actually going pretty well at the moment.
Jagga Smith limps from the field in the match simulation against St Kilda.Credit: AFL Photos
“I’m not sure if he’s there [playing in] round one ... if it’s not round one it’s round two or three.”
The Blues are already without defender Nic Newman and their first pick in the draft Jagga Smith, after he ruptured his ACL during a practice match against St Kilda on Saturday.
Following Smith’s injury, the Blues on Monday elevated VFL livewire Will White to their AFL list. The 20-year-old will wear guernsey No.38. He is the second player added to Carlton’s list in the past week after former Geelong and Port Adelaide small forward Francis Evans also joined the club.
“It’s not the call you want on a Sunday,” Cripps said of Smith’s injury.
“When you’re an 18-year-old kid that’s worked so hard [and are] so close to debuting I feel for him. I had a good chat with him yesterday.
“I suppose the thing for him is … he’s going to play a lot of footy for this footy club. It’s a small speed bump in his journey, his career. He’s going to be a special player for us for a long time.”
Cripps also said Walsh, who had been in doubt for round one due to a hamstring injury, would play.
But the Blues captain was less certain on ruckman Tom De Koning. The free agent could field expensive offers from other teams and Cripps was determined to stay out of the discussion.
“There’s a lot of pressure there, but you try and give him space and give him time.”
“When you get into free agency is a big life decision for these guys. Obviously, it’s going to be a big contract for him, I’ve been in the same process myself, so you just support him.”
Bullants board says no to Thomas
Peter Ryan
Ex-North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas will not play for the Northern Bullants in 2025 after the VFL club’s board decided against adding the 24-year-old to their list.
The Northern Bullants board decided against adding Tarryn Thomas to their list.Credit: Getty Images
The decision is a major blow to Thomas’ hopes of resurrecting his career and rejoining an AFL club in the future.
Thomas was banned from football at all levels last February after being found guilty of conduct unbecoming when the AFL Integrity Unit found he had “engaged in multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times”.
However, those terms were relaxed less than a fortnight ago to enable him to play for standalone VFL clubs at state league level and any non-AFL affiliated clubs below the AFL.
The late decision from the AFL narrowed his options and all Victorian-based standalone clubs in the VFL except the Northern Bullants quickly ruled out the prospect of Thomas joining their club.
However, Bullants coach Rohan Welsh said he was open to the prospect of Thomas joining the club if the team, board and sponsors approved the decision.
The board met on Sunday night and decided against putting him on their list. The decision means Thomas will need to play at a level below state league if he wants to remain in Victoria. The AFL has already declared he won’t be eligible to be selected in this year’s mid-season draft.
The Bullants have battled for wins in recent years finishing no higher than 18th in the past four seasons and have won just eight games in that time.
Thomas played 69 matches for North Melbourne between 2019-23 before his behavioural issues forced the club to sack him. He was selection No.8 in the 2018 national draft, joining the Kangaroos as a Next Generation Academy graduate.
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