AFL round 14 teams news: Sam Darcy and Jack Macrae to return from injuries on Thursday night
Sam Darcy will make his return from injury on Thursday night, completing his remarkable recovery from what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury.
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Sam Darcy will play St Kilda on Thursday seven weeks on from what his club feared was a season-ending knee injury.
Darcy got through full training on Tuesday and has now completed enough running sessions for the Dogs to believe he is not at risk of soft-tissue concerns.
He has fully recovered from his knee injury and will take up his spot in the forward line alongside Aaron Naughton.
The 6-6 Dogs have lost their past two games and desperately need a victory to get their finals hopes back on track.
St Kilda midfielder Jack Macrae is also likely to return from a punctured lung but Mattaes Phillipou will miss with a leg injury.
Two losses in a row either side of the bye have put their top four hopes in severe jeopardy, with the Dogs likely having to win eight of their final 11 games to guarantee a double chance.
With Naughton and Darcy playing forward, Beveridge could flip Buku Khamis back or play three key talls.
He also has an array of selection options in defence, with Liam Jones solid against Coburg in the VFL with 11 spoils and three intercept marks.
Ryan Gardner was recalled for the first time since round 20, 2023 but struggled against the Hawks key forwards.
Mabior Chol kicked three goals on him as his main opponent and Jack Gunston kicked a goal in their 18 minutes head-to-head.
Beveridge had recalled him to ensure selection integrity after a brilliant month of VFL football.
But Jones is waiting in the wings if Luke Beveridge wants him against St Kilda’s key forwards including Mitch Owens and Cooper Sharman or even small Jack Higgins.
Adam Treloar will be better for the run after getting through the clash against Hawthorn off a recurring calf injury.
Originally published as AFL round 14 teams news: Sam Darcy and Jack Macrae to return from injuries on Thursday night
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