Barometer: All the latest injury news at your club after Round 3
Fremantle’s chances of grabbing bragging rights from their bitter crosstown rival have taken a dive with the Dockers ruling skipper Nat Fyfe out of Saturday’s Derby. UPDATED AFL INJURY LIST
Fremantle’s chances of grabbing bragging rights from their bitter crosstown rival have taken a dive with the Dockers ruling skipper Nat Fyfe out of Saturday’s Derby.
Fyfe was in severe doubt to take his place after a brutal collision with Saint Josh Battle in Sunday’s win at Perth Stadium.
But Freo made it official on Wednesday night, announcing their champion midfielder would not be risked.
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“Nat is still experiencing symptoms linked to the concussion and will not be available to play in the derby,” Dockers footy manager Peter Bell said.
“Based on the medical advice and Nat’s own account of how he he’s feeling, it is the correct and only decision.
“Nat is disappointed about missing any game, particular a derby.
“But, as is the case with all of our playing group, the player’s health and wellbeing is always paramount in the decision-making process.”
Richmond has been dealt two more significant injury blows after captain Trent Cotchin and Jayden Short were injured in the loss to Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
Cotchin suffered a hamstring injury in the third quarter, while Short dislocated his elbow in the opening term and took no further part in the game.
The fresh injury blows are bitter blows for the 1-2 Tigers who have already lost Alex Rance (knee reconstruction) and Jack Riewoldt (wrist), while Dustin Martin could be suspended on Monday for his high elbow.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is unsure how long both Cotchin and Short will be sidelined.
“It’s disappointing but we move on, and look for someone to replace them,” he said.
“That’s what presents itself these times of player loss, it gives two more players an opportunity to step up and play some games for the Richmond footy club.”
The Tigers look set to regain premiership forward Josh Caddy for Saturday’s clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Meanwhile, star Port Adelaide pair Tom Rockliff and Robbie Gray are almost certain to play in Saturday’s blockbuster against Richmond at Adelaide Oval.
Power football manager Chris Davies said the key duo — hurt late in Saturday night’s heartbreaking loss to Brisbane at the Gabba — had pulled up well from their heavy knocks and were expected to prove their fitness at training during the week to take on the Tigers.
Former Lion Rockliff — back to his best after a tough, injury-riddled first year at Port — was concussed after copping a heavy head knock from Hugh McCluggage in the third quarter and did not return to the field.
High-grade hamstring strains have left two Bombers sidelined until at least Round 9.
Shaun McKernan — who booted four goals in Essendon’s win over Melbourne on Friday night — will miss up to seven weeks while Kobe Mutch will miss between 10 and 12 weeks.
“Unfortunately scans today have revealed the extent of the respective hamstring injuries for both Shaun and Kobe,” Essendon football boss Dan Richardson said.
“Kobe was sidelined early in the first quarter, while Shaun’s was less severe and able to play out the rest of the game.
“While disappointing, both Shaun and Kobe will apply themselves with full dedication to their rehabilitation program over the coming weeks.”
ADELAIDE
The only good news for Adelaide out of the loss to Geelong was scans revealing Paul Seedsman had not torn his ACL as first feared on Thursday night.
He has, however, suffered a “significant” injury and bone bruising that won’t be fully understood until later this week.
The bigger worry is their ruck stocks and how long Sam Jacobs will be out for after he missed the loss to Geelong with bone bruising in his knee.
Jacobs told Triple M pre-game even he doesn’t know when he’ll be back and admitted there was “a little bit of noise” in there with regard to cartilage damage but that could be 198 games of wear and tear.
For a team that started the season virtually fully fit they suddenly have serious injury concerns but must make changes regardless.
Cameron Ellis-Yolmen dominated in the SANFL for the Crows with 36 disposals, while Darcy Fogarty, Andy Otten and Hugh Greenwood are all still waiting for an AFL game this season.
If I was Bryce Gibbs, I’d be nervous this week ahead of selection for the game against North Melbourne at Docklands.
Kane Cornes labelled it “the worst 27 disposal game I’ve seen” and it seems Gibbs doesn’t know if he’s meant to be playing as an inside mid or across half back, where he went to in a swap with Wayne Milera after halftime on Thursday night.
— Reece Homfray
INJURY LIST
Paul Seedsman (knee) indefinite
Sam Jacobs (knee) indefinite
Tom Doedee (knee) season
Luke Brown (foot) 4 weeks
Richard Douglas (ankle) 7 weeks
Shane McAdam (calf) 3 weeks
BRISBANE LIONS
If anyone has any niggles at Brisbane, they’re doing their best to keep them under wraps.
This is becoming a very hard side to break in to but it is also one no one wants to step out of if they can help it.
Although coach Chris Fagan acknowledged his side did not play that well against Port Adelaide, they lifted when it counted to record their third straight victory. Fagan will be inclined to stick with the guys that got the job done.
The only injury concerns are around Lincoln McCarthy. The ex-Cat was in some doubt for the Port game with sore ribs and they would be hurting again today after he was involved in a heavy collision. He got up for the game and, although he didn’t have a great game overall, he contributed with a giant hanger and steadying goal.
Mitch Robinson was also in the wars and suffered some back spasms but he typically bounces back well.
— Andrew Hamilton
INJURY LIST
Marcus Adams (knee) 1-2 weeks.
Brandon Starcevich (hamstring) 7-8 weeks.
Jack Payne (stress fractures) 3-4 weeks
CARLTON
Mitch McGovern finished the loss to Sydney nursing a tight hamstring and is in doubt for the trip to face Gold Coast.
Is it next stop Northern Blues for VFL gun Mick Gibbons? He is yet to adjust to the AFL tempo with he and Cam Polson struggling to apply strong forward pressure as the Swans’ defenders were allowed too many easy exits.
Northern Blues play later today where a few Blues, including Jack Silvagni, will press their chances.
— Sam Landsberger
INJURY LIST
Mitch McGovern (hamstring tightness) Test
Andrew Phillips (corked quad) TBC
David Cuningham (bruised kidney) 1-2 weeks
Charlie Curnow (knee) 1-2 weeks
Tom De Koning (knee) 6-8 weeks
Sam Docherty (knee) indefinite
Matthew Kreuzer (knee) test
Darcy Lang (foot) 1-2 weeks
Harrison Macreadie (back) 1-2 weeks
Jarrod Pickett (knee) indefinite
Tom Williamson back (2-4) weeks
COLLINGWOOD
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says his side is “thereabouts” but was disappointed it was “out-grunted” by West Coast after quarter-time at the MCG on Saturday night.
The 2018 grand finalist sits 1-2 after Round 3, not cause for alarm after three tough games but certainly not where Collingwood would like to be.
Defender Darcy Moore hurt his ankle in a marking contest in the second quarter on Saturday night but returned to the field and played out the game, Buckley dismissing any concerns post-match.
The only concern could be Taylor Adams, who will come under scrutiny of the match review officer for late contact with Luke Shuey during the second quarter of the 22-point loss to the Eagles.
The match was Adams’ first back from a finger injury that had seen him miss the first two rounds.
Collingwood meets the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, a team who the Magpies have lost to in six of the past seven meetings between the clubs.
“We’ve got to continue to grind away and to work at finding the improvement that is in every team to be playing better football as the season progresses,” Buckley said.
Ben Reid, Tim Broomhead and Nathan Murphy all returned from injury through the VFL on Saturday, with Reid (three goals) a standout up forward.
First-year draftee Isaac Quaynor also played well in that match.
— Chris Cavanagh
INJURY LIST
Lynden Dunn (knee) Indefinite
Will Kelly (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Nathan Murphy (calf) Test
Matt Scharenberg (knee) 9 weeks
Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee) 5-6 weeks
Daniel Wells (foot) 1 week
ESSENDON
They finally seemed back on track and after flashes last week, resembled the Bombers that were touted all pre-season. The way they kicked eight unanswered goals looked scary — albeit assisted by the Demons’ defensive worries — after a fortnight of woes.
Coach John Worsfold absorbed the spotlight like a sponge and played his typical straight bat to media post-game, but there was evident relief in the rooms after the players seemed able to cast off the shackles and rediscover some freedom.
Kobe Mutch missed all but a few minutes of the game after he was felled with a hamstring injury and will face scans, as will forward Shaun McKernan who played through his own hamstring issue.
The Lions — who have been impressive so far this season — await at the MCG and with the Bombers on the road back to business, they would have to be confident.
— Lauren Wood
INJURIES
Kobe Mutch (hamstring) test
Shaun McKernan (hamstring) test
Joe Daniher (calf) 1-2 weeks
Cale Hooker (calf) test
Jayden Laverde (ankle) test
Jake Long (shoulder) test
Trent Mynott (hip) test
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (ankle) test
FREMANTLE
All eyes were on Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe but the superstar midfielder, who had to be helped from the field after a sickening head clash with St Kilda’s Josh Battle, has been ruled out. With Lachie Neale gone, a Fyfe-less midfield has a big task against the reigning premier. The Dockers didn’t have any other injury concerns out of the fighting win against the Saints.
— Liam Twomey
INJURY LIST
Nat Fyfe (concussion) TBC
Griffen Logue (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Aaron Sandilands (calf) TBC
Luke Valente (groin) test
Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Harley Bennell (calf) TBC
Brennan Cox (hamstring) test
Connor Blakely (hamstring) 3 weeks
Stephen Hill (quad) TBC
Shane Kersten (foot) TBC
Brett Bewley (ankle) 1 week
GEELONG
Cats coach Chris Scott won’t declare his team a definite contender just yet but there’s plenty to like about Geelong. Its front half — filled with new faces — is doing the job but the side’s greatest strength comes at the back.
Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart and the back-again Harry Taylor are holding the AFL’s stingiest defence together in magnificent style, with the run and flair of first-year draftee Jordan Clark an added bonus.
Veteran defender Zach Tuohy, forced to watch his club’s impressive start to the year from the sidelines, couldn’t help but be impressed with the third-gamer’s long goal against the Crows.
The good news for Tuohy, and the Cats, is he’s nearing a return to football. And Geelong’s injury list will further shrink in coming weeks, starting with Cam Guthrie. Onto GWS at the Cattery.
— Ben Broad
INJURIES
Jed Bews (groin) 1-2 weeks
Nakia Cockatoo (adductor) 2-3 weeks
Lachie Fogarty (hip) 2-3 weeks
Jack Henry (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Tim Kelly (ankle) TBC
Mark O’Connor (thigh) test
Scott Selwood (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Zach Tuohy (knee) 1-2 weeks
GOLD COAST
The Suns are quickly proving the surprise packets of the season and shape as a very real chance to go 3-1 this weekend.
Gold Coast has fought out narrow wins over Western Bulldogs (five points) and Fremantle (three points) over the past two weeks, coming after a Round 1 loss to St Kilda by just a point.
They face a 0-3 Carlton team at Metricon this Sunday, a match they should enter as favourite.
“(We’re) trying to lay strong foundation for consistent footy which is the most important part because we could be 3-0 or we could be 0-3 but the main part for us is the competitiveness and fight and heart when the game’s on the line,” Suns coach Stuart Dew said after Sunday’s win over the Bulldogs.
Sam Day booted five goals in the NEAFL on Saturday, while Will Brodie (38 disposals) also performed well to help put pressure on spots at AFL level.
Stuart Dew says he is not surprised at the Suns’ rise, but the rest of the football world certainly is after the side had lost 17 of its past 18 games entering Round 2.
— Chris Cavanagh
INJURY LIST
Josh Corbett (knee) 1 week
Sam Fletcher (ankle) 1 week
Ben Ainsworth (knee) 2-4 weeks
Sean Lemmens (ankle) 2-4 weeks
Izak Rankine (hamstring) 2-4 weeks
Corey Ellis (ankle) 3-5 weeks
Rory Thompson (knee) season
Harrison Wigg (knee) season
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Mercurial small forward Toby Greene has missed the past two games for the Giants and has again been listed as a Test as GWS prepares to travel to Geelong.
Co-captain Callan Ward will press his claims to return from a knee injury against the unbeaten Cats during the week. Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson combined for 12 goals against the Tigers, the latter filling a more prominent forward role with Greene out of the side.
The Giants otherwise don’t have many key personnel out, with small forward Zac Langdon still a few weeks off from returning from a foot injury.
Josh Kelly played his first game of the season and gathered 22 possessions and seven tackles in a welcome return.
The Giants’ defence has been impressive in their two victories to date, restricting Richmond to 10 goals and Essendon to five.
— Tim Michell
INJURY LIST
Tom Sheridan (calf) TBC
Toby Greene (soreness) Test
Zac Langdon (foot) 2-3 weeks
Jon Patton (knee) TBC
Harry Perryman (punctured lung) TBC
Callan Ward (knee) 1 week
HAWTHORN
You have to admire Jaeger O’Meara and James Worpel. In the absence of Tom Mitchell, the two hard ball winners have been the mainstays of a depleted midfield and took the chocolates against the Kangaroos at the MCG.
Without Shaun Burgoyne and Liam Shiels, the patched-up midfield responded nicely after quarter time to notch the Hawks’ second win of the season. Jarryd Roughead missed the clash after copping a corkie in the quad in a training session on Saturday. He is expected to be available for Sunday’s battle against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
O’Meara faces a light week on the track after copping a knock to his hip against the Roos, while five-goal star Luke Breust also overcame a tight back.
— Jay Clark
INJURY LIST
Grant Birchall (calf) indefinite
Shaun Burgoyne (hamstring) 3 weeks
Darren Minchington (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Tom Mitchell (leg) season
Tim Mohr (dislocated knee) season
Liam Shiels (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
MELBOURNE
Everything hurts that little bit more when you’re 0-3. The coach is, too, he admitted after the loss to Essendon, with questions abound at the Demons this week. How does it turn so quickly, after making a preliminary final?
Not having the likes of Jake Lever didn’t help, with defensive issues seemingly the major sticking point on Friday night, while Steven May’s fitness over the pre-season continues to dominate the talk.
There has been no connection between each area for Melbourne, and nothing seems in sync as they work hard at one end and fail to capitalise on the other — both ways. Need a reboot and quickly.
Can still play finals, but as Dermott Brereton described it, the “character flaws” will be exposed by the better teams of the competition.
— Lauren Wood
INJURY LIST
Jeff Garlett (shoulder) test
Mitch Hannan (knee) 4-7 weeks
Jay Kennedy Harris (leg) 9 weeks
Jake Lever (knee) 4-7 weeks
Jordan Lewis (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Steven May (groin) test
Joel Smith (groin) 3 weeks
Charlie Spargo (jaw) test
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Guy Walker (shoulder) indefinite
NORTH MELBOURNE
The Kangaroos appeared to get through the clash with Hawthorn unscathed on the injury front but with Brad Scott’s team winless after three rounds, he could swing some changes at selection this week. The same can’t be said for the VFL team, with forward Mason Wood suffering yet another soft tissue injury in a major blow as North Melbourne search for a tall forward to help Ben Brown. Wood suffered “calf awareness” in the second term and took no firther part in the game. He will have scans this week. Jed Anderson (hamstring) and Sam Wright (quad) returned from injury via the VFL, while Nathan Hrovat put his hand up for a senior recall with 26 disposals and a goal in the loss to Werribee and Nick Larkey booted 3.3 from 11 disposals and seven marks. Paul Ahern was the AFL match-day emergency, so didn’t play in the VFL.
- Kate Salemme
INJURY LIST
Curtis Taylor (illness) test
Majak Daw (pelvis/hips) - indefinite
Sam Durdin (finger) - 2-3 weeks
Taylor Garner (groin) - test
Ben Jacobs (sinusitis) - indefinite
Tom McKenzie (back) - 2-3 weeks
Ed Vickers-Willis (ACL) - season
Will Walker (PCL) - TBC
Marley Williams (ankle) - 1 week
Tristan Xerri (osteitis pubis) - 2-3 weeks
PORT ADELAIDE
The whole week is likely to be Tom Rockliff watch, because the former Brisbane captain has had a great start to the year only to cop a concussion against his former team. Dougal Howard had a game to forget and Willem Drem was quiet.
Joel Garner was the travelling emergency and is banging loudly on the door for the Power. Todd Marshall was dropped for the weekend but everybody knows his potential.
Hamish Hartlett was very close to return from injury this week, as was Matthew Broadbent. Richmond has looked up and down this year and there is much to like about Port Adelaide’s start. The home ground advantage swings it in the Power’s favour. Port in a close one.
— Jesper Fjeldstad
INJURY LIST
Tom Rockliff (concussion) TBC
Jack Watts (broken leg, dislocated ankle) indefinite
Karl Amon (knee) 4-5 weeks
Charlie Dixon (leg/ankle) TBC
Jarrod Lienert (knee) 1 week
Jake Patmore (knee) Season
Sam Hayes (knee) 5-7 weeks
RICHMOND
The Tigers effectively played with 21 after Jayden Short dislocated his elbow and was in a sling from the opening minutes of their loss to GWS Giants. Damien Hardwick has three holes to fill in defence for the next few weeks, with Short and Bachar Houli missing from the halfback line and Alex Rance out for the rest of the season.
Jack Riewoldt will also be out for most of April with an arm injury, stretching Richmond’s depth. Noah Balta was recalled to fill the back-up ruck role with Shaun Grigg out indefinitely with a knee injury.
First-gamer Sydney Stack should hold his spot for at least a few weeks after he was one of Richmond’s best on debut, while Josh Caddy is expected to return after featuring against Geelong in the VFL.
Jack Ross could also be in line to debut after he had 21 disposals and 10 tackles against the Cats. Ross was taken at pick No.43 in last year’s draft and has been listed as an emergency in the early rounds.
— Tim Michell
INJURY LIST
Jayden Short (elbow) TBC
Ben Miller (appendicitis) 1-2 weeks
Bachar Houli (hamstring) 1-2 week
Jack Riewoldt (arm) 4 weeks
Shaun Grigg (knee) indefinite
Alex Rance (knee) season
ST KILDA
This could be the one that got away from the Saints.
A rare away win was there for the taking particularly with the Dockers losing Nat Fyfe midway in the third quarter for the rest of the match.
Jade Gresham gave the Saints a sniff with his goal with just over over four minutes left cutting the deficit to 11 points.
But the visitors didn’t score another major until there were eight seconds left on the clock despite having 10 of the last 17 inside 50s.
As a result the Saints slipped out of the top eight but showed they won’t be pushovers this season.
— Chris Vernuccio
INJURY LIST
Nathan Brown (head knock) TBC
Jack Bytel (back) season
Jake Carlisle (back) indefinite
Oscar Clavarino (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Dan Hannebery (hamstring/calves) indefinite
Max King (knee) 5-7 weeks
Paddy McCartin (concussion) TBC
Dylan Roberton (heart) season
SYDNEY SWANS
Sydney must replace Jarrad McVeigh and Will Hayward for Thursday night’s clash against Melbourne.
James Rose (39 disposals, 10 clearances and four goals) put in a brilliant NEAFL performance while former Roo Ryan Clarke and James Rowbottom also impressed.
Reserves coach Jeremy Laidler kept some of his players on limited minutes in the second half, given the five-day turnaround.
How will Buddy’s body pull up given the short break and small pre-season?
— Sam Landsberger
INJURY LIST
Jarrad McVeigh (Quad) TBC
Will Hayward Jaw TBC
Heath Grundy Back Test
Matthew Ling Toe Indefinite
Jack Maibaum Knee Season
Daniel Menzel Groin 2-3 weeks
Sam Naismith Knee TBC
Nick Smith Hamstring TBC
Durak Tucker Knee Indefinite
WEST COAST
The Eagles got midfielder Andrew Gaff back against Collingwood on Saturday night — and didn’t he hit the ground running.
Gaff logged a game-high 35 disposals as well as winning five clearances, five marks and recording five inside-50s.
It was the 2018 All-Australian’s first match since Round 20 last year, when he was suspended for eight games for striking Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw.
There were no injury concerns for the Eagles out of the win over Collingwood, in which just about every player played their role.
However, Jake Waterman put his hand up for a senior recall with five goals in the WAFL on Saturday, while veteran Will Schofield was strong at the other end in that match.
West Coast has won the past seven derbies against Fremantle dating back to Round 20, 2015.
— Chris Cavanagh
INJURY LIST
Liam Duggan (knee) 1 week
Kurt Mutimer (Achilles) Test
Jarrod Cameron (foot) Test
Willie Rioli (foot) 5-6 weeks
Nic Naitanui (knee) Indefinite
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Good news on the injury front for the Bulldogs, with coach Luke Beveridge giving defender Jason Johannisen a “big chance” of returning for Friday night’s bumper clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
Johannisen missed both the Bulldogs’ pre-season matches and their opening three games of the regular season with an ankle injury but is rated a chance of being thrust straight back into the AFL if he trains strongly this week.
Big man Tom Boyd is also expected to return from injury this week but he will do so through the VFL, having not played at any level since Round 18 last year due to a back injury.
The coach is pretty keen to see an improved performance after a “frustrating” five-point loss to Gold Coast Suns on Sunday which came after a promising opening two weeks of the season.
The Bulldogs lost to Collingwood by 35 points the last time the sides met in Round 10 last year but had won the previous five meetings between the sides.
— Chris Cavanagh
INJURY LIST
Tom Boyd (back) test
Jason Johannisen (ankle) test
Lin Jong (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Buku Khamis (knee) 2-3 weeks
Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Dale Morris (knee) indefinite
Originally published as Barometer: All the latest injury news at your club after Round 3
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