AFL news 2024: All the injury news and analysis from round 20

Collingwood coach Craig McRae concedes star Jordan De Goey won’t be at 100% fitness again this season but is hopeful his groin injury can be managed in the run to finals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Jordan De Goey of the Magpies warms up prior to the round 19 AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 20, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Mystery surrounds Collingwood star Jordan De Goey’s hopes of being part of a push to finals will be assessed early next week, while Richmond expects Dustin Martin to return in round 21.

De Goey was on Friday named to play against Richmond on Sunday, but was pulled out of the side on Saturday, with Pies coach Craig McRae struggling to understand what is behind the midfielder’s groin woes.

His replacement in the Pies team, Joe Richards, was also withdrawn because of illness and replaced by Lachie Sullivan.

De Goey has been battling a groin issue for most of the year and has failed to have his usual impact as Collingwood’s premiership defence withered.

McRae said De Goey was “really sore” during the week and his injury doesn’t seem to be improving.

Jordan De Goey’s groin injury will be assessed as he hopes to be part of the Pies finals push. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“Each week seems to start in the same place. Maybe not playing this week means it starts in a different place,” McRae said after Sunday’s win over Richmond.

He registered disposal tallies of 19 against Essendon in round 18 and 16 against Hawthorn in round 20, with the star sent to play deep forward in the second half against the Hawks.

McRae said Magpies plan to “deload” De Goey this week, but haven’t put a line through his return to the fold either this season or next weekend.

But the coach said on Friday that De Goey likely would not be back to full fitness this year.

Collingwood faces a season-defining blockbuster next week against arch rivals Carlton, in what will be Scott Pendlebury’s 400th game.

Had De Goey played, Pendlebury would have started his 399th match as the sub, but was instead subbed out of the win over the Tigers to find some extra rest.

Meanwhile, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin should play his first game since round 17 against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Richmond is hopeful Dustin Martin will return in round 21. Picture: Michael Klein

Martin trained fully this week but the Tigers have been careful to not push him back on to the field too early.

“He is a guy who trains 100 per cent and needs to prepare really well to play and we expect him to be ready to go next week against North,” Tigers football performance boss Tim Livingston told SEN 1116.

Tim Taranto was hindered in the Collingwood loss due to a sore back but Adem Yze believes he will face the Roos.

Captain Toby Nankervis should clear concussion protocols.

The round 21 clash against North Melbourne could decide the wooden spoon.

Martin was subbed out of his last match in round 17 against Carlton after gathering just seven disposals and has been battling a sore back.

He sat in Richmond’s coaches box during Sunday’s clash with Collingwood.

The Tigers have not won any of the 12 games he has played this year.

Originally published as AFL news 2024: All the injury news and analysis from round 20