The Barometer: Every club’s injury list after Round 22
Essendon could bring in big gun Tom Bellchambers for its blockbuster with Collingwood, but Hawthorn didn’t quite “shoot Bambi”, even though retiring great Jarryd Roughead won’t make the trip to WA. EVERY CLUB’S INJURIES
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Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers is almost certain to return from a calf injury this week, but whether he is thrust straight back in at AFL level remains to be seen.
Bombers coach John Worsfold said he was “expecting” Bellchambers to be available for selection this week but he could line up in either the AFL or VFL.
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Bellchambers has missed the past seven games with the injury after playing the first 14 games of the year.
“I’m expecting he’s available to play footy this week,” Worsfold said.
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“He has been a key part of some of our best footy over the last couple of seasons. He’s been in really good form for us so we’d love to have him back in the team when he’s ready.”
In further good news, Cale Hooker is also set to return from injury for Essendon’s clash with Collingwood on Friday night.
“We’re confident that the soreness he’s been carrying over the last couple of weeks, missing a game should clear most of that,” Worsfold said.
However, the Bombers have lost star midfielder David Zaharakis, who required surgery on his damaged ankle.
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ROUGHY WON’T GO TO PERTH
A trip to Perth to face the reigning premier has proven a bridge too far for retiring Hawthorn champion Jarryd Roughead.
After announcing his retirement last week, Roughead was at his stunning best in booting six goals in a dominant farewell performance against the Gold Coast Suns.
The vintage effort prompted calls for the Hawks to give the much-loved forward one last hurrah in Perth, and coach Alastair Clarkson said leaving him out of the Round 23 clash would be “like shooting Bambi”.
But Roughead put everything into last Sunday’s performance and was left physically spent. He felt his 32-year-old body was not up to a trip across the country on the back of a six-day break.
“You honestly could not have written a better script than the way things panned out on Sunday,” Roughead told the Hawks’ website.
“That being the case, I’ve made the call to officially hang them up. This week is a big game for the footy club and like all Hawthorn fans, I’ll be sitting back and hoping for another fairytale result for the brown and gold this weekend.
“I’d like to thank everyone for making Sunday so special. The atmosphere in the stadium was incredible and I’ll cherish the memories forever.”
Roughead’s six goals gave him 578 for Hawthorn — two short of fellow 2004 draftee and great mate Lance Franklin in fifth-place on the Hawks’ all-time list. Some had hoped he might surpass Buddy, but the glorious night at Marvel Stadium is now a fitting footnote to his magnificent career.
Hawthorn’s general manager of football Graham Wright said the club and player had reached a mutual decision.
“Sunday’s match could not have been any more of a fairytale finish for Rough,” Wright said.
“He was able to wind back the clock and provide his teammates, family and our supporters with a pretty special memory.
“Rough has made the call to officially hang up the boots this week, but he will remain a part of the squad for as long as our 2019 season is alive.
“Rough is a champion of our football club and we are incredibly proud of the way in which he has finished up his career in the brown and gold.”
GRIMES ‘PROBABLE’ FOR TIGERS
Richmond defender Dylan Grimes is “probable” to play in Sunday’s blockbuster against Brisbane after hurting his ankle against West Coast last weekend.
Grimes said of the injury on Monday “It was pretty painful when it first happened”, but has since pulled up well.
The Dylan Grimes leg injury
— Lace out (@laceoutofficial) August 18, 2019
#AFLTigersEagles pic.twitter.com/3rlg8i4F6C
“Today he’s walking around pretty good. At this stage he’s probable for this week and we’d anticipate him doing a little bit of training potentially later in the week,” Richmond football boss Peter Burge said.
“I’d say he’s a really good chance to play on Sunday.”
Ruckman Toby Nankervis (adductor) has all but been ruled out of playing again this week but is set to be fit for finals.
Captain Trent Cotchin will return from a hamstring if he gets through training this week.
Dylan Grimes back running up and down boundary. Ankle rolled outwards which isn't the syndesmosis. Great news all around
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 18, 2019
ADELAIDE
If Adelaide was hoping for reinforcements for its final game against the Bulldogs in Ballarat then there weren’t a lot of names jumping off the page in the SANFL on Sunday.
Alex Keath made a successful return after a month off with an ankle injury and should force his way into the backline, while Hugh Greenwood laid 15 tackles and may be considered for a spot in the midfield that was smashed by Collingwood on the weekend.
Josh Jenkins has now almost certainly played his last game for the Crows after only eight touches and no score in the reserves, but Rory Atkins who was dropped last week had 27 disposals and may be in line for a recall.
Riley Knight was a late withdrawal from the Crows’ team on Saturday with a hip injury but has pulled up well this week.
However, Chayce Jones probably did enough to keep him out.
— Reece Homfray
INJURIES
Riley Knight (hip soreness) test
Jake Kelly (shin) test
Will Hamill (hamstring) test
Tom Doedee (knee) season
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (shin) season
Paul Hunter (foot) 2 weeks
Ned McHenry (back) 1 week
Andrew McPherson (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
BRISBANE
Good news for the Lions, with Allen Christensen only suffering a minor hamstring strain from the weekend’s clash with Geelong which is set to see him miss only one week.
The veteran pulled his hamstring in the second quarter against Geelong and had scans on Monday.
There’s an opportunity for a small forward to walk into his position and potentially make it their own, but in Saturday’s comfortable NEAFL win no one made a solid claim.
The best-performing players were midfielders. There isn’t a standout pressure forward at the moment, Ben Keays would be the most like-for-like replacement. Chris Fagan has shown he is happy to play players in different positions so Zac Bailey could potentially play permanently forward with another midfielder-wingman coming onto the bench.
— Andrew Hamilton
INJURIES
Allen Christensen (hamstring strain) 1 week
Tom Joyce (shin) 3 weeks
James Madden (hamstring) test
CARLTON
The Teague Train rolls on, with the coach admitting he wishes it wasn’t time to return to the depot in just a week.
Before then, one of the most difficult tasks in football awaits with the Blues heading down the highway to Geelong for the first time since Round 10 last year.
A lot has changed since then, but the Cats have a lot to play for as the top four continues to take shape.
Jacob Weitering is set to return for Carlton after his late withdrawal on Saturday with a low-grade groin issue.
His replacement for that game, Darcy Lang, hurt his ankle and will have surgery on Wednesday and miss the final round.
— Lauren Wood
INJURIES
Jacob Weitering (groin) test
Kym LeBois (hamstring) test
Michael Gibbons (shoulder) test
David Cunningham (knee) test
Charlie Curnow (knee) season
Sam Docherty (knee) season
Liam Jones (throat) season
Pat Kerr (shoulder) season
Darcy Lang (ankle) season
Caleb Marchbank (neck) season
Tom Williamson (back) season
COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood will wrestle with the decision of where to play Darcy Moore — back or forward — as the key-position Magpie prepares to return in Friday night’s final round clash against Essendon at the MCG.
But star forward/midfielder Jordan De Goey will be reserved for the first final as he works to overcome his hamstring injury.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley suggested Moore was on track to play his first game on Friday night since the club’s Round 17 win over West Coast.
There had been speculation Moore could return in a forward role in the absence of Mason Cox, but the success of Collingwood’s revamped small forward set up in recent weeks might keep it as a status quo.
Buckley said after the dominant win over the Crows: “We need a few results to go our way.”
“We’ve got Essendon … we need to narrow our focus on that and execute the footy we’re capable of and building towards whatever September looks like for us.”
— Glenn McFarlane
INJURIES
Daniel Wells (knee) test
Darcy Moore (hamstring) test
Brayden Sier (calf) test
Jordan De Goey (hamstring) 1 week
James Aish (shoulder) 1 week
Dayne Beams (hip/mental health) season
Mason Cox (eye) season
Lynden Dunn (knee) season
Will Kelly (hamstring) TBC
Tom Langdon (knee) season
Sam Murray (provisional suspension) TBC
Isaac Quaynor (foot) TBC
Ben Reid (hamstring) TBC
Jaidyn Stephenson (suspended) 1 week
ESSENDON
David Zaharakis was the major injury worry out of Saturday night’s gutsy win against the Dockers that locked in a return to September.
The veteran looked in a lot of pain and was on crutches after the game, with surgery this week ending his year.
Swingman Cale Hooker (groin) was a late withdrawal against Fremantle, but is expected to return, along with ruckman Tom Bellchambers (calf).
Irving Mosquito’s year is over after having hamstring surgery on Tuesday
In the VFL the Bombers suffered a narrow loss to Richmond with David Myers picking up 31 disposals.
INJURIES
Tom Bellchambers (calf) test
Cale Hooker (groin) test
Zac Clarke (leg) 1 week
Will Snelling (foot) 1 week
David Zaharakis (ankle) season
Joe Daniher (groin) season
Sam Draper (knee) season
Matt Guelfi (knee) season
Irving Mosquito (hamstring) season
Kobe Mutch (knee) TBC
Devon Smith (knee) season
James Stewart (groin) season
FREMANTLE
Will veterans Aaron Sandilands and Hayden Ballantyne travel for the Dockers’ final game against Port Adelaide?
Given their brilliant send-off in Perth, it would be fitting if that’s it for the champion duo.
Fremantle has been cruelled by a spate of injuries in the second half of the year, with Jesse Hogan, Nathan Wilson, Matt Taberner, Alex Pearce and Rory Lobb among the key Dockers sidelined.
Could Brad Hill be about to play his last game for Fremantle? Trade speculation has been rampant that the star wingman will return to Victoria.
Stephen Hill has also been linked with a trade, but ongoing injury issues might deny him a Docker farewell.
David Hale will coach this weekend after the sacking of Ross Lyon on Tuesday.
Midfielder Bailey Banfield will surely earn a recall after 38 disposals and 13 tackles in the WAFL.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Brennan Cox (hip) test
Scott Jones (shoulder) test
Tobe Watson (knee) test
Luke Ryan (hamstring) test
Stephen Hill (quad) TBC
Nathan Wilson (toe) TBC
Stefan Giro (knee) season
Jesse Hogan (foot) season
Rory Lobb (shoulder) season
Lloyd Meek (foot) season
Alex Pearce (ankle) season
Matt Taberner (foot) season
Luke Valente (groin) season
Best chairing off ever?
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) August 17, 2019
Farewell to two @freodockers legends ðŸ‘👠pic.twitter.com/J0WsSo9pZS
GEELONG
Disappointing finish for the Cats on the weekend in a match which they controlled for the most part.
The ruck remains a serious issue. Big man Rhys Stanley had 19 touches and a couple of goals in the VFL to push his case, while fellow ruckman Zac Smith also played.
Sam Menegola finished as the game’s leading possession winner with 29 touches, while Charlie Constable continues to push his case at the lower level but will hope to avoid sanction after an incident in the VFL.
Gary Rohan is expected to be available to return this week.
Tom Atkins will miss the final round of the season after having surgery on an injured hand.
Nakia Cockatoo should return through the VFL this week after signing a one-year contract extension for 2020.
— Ben Broad
INJURIES
Gary Rohan (knee) test
Ben Jarvis (ankle) test
Tom Atkins (hand) 1 week
Jordan Clark (elbow) 1-2 weeks
Jordan Cunico (ankle) 1-3 weeks
Lachie Fogarty (hamstring) 1 week
He wasn't happy with Charlie Constable's hit 😡#VFL pic.twitter.com/owNeotkEmn
— 7VFL (@7VFL) August 18, 2019
GOLD COAST
Will Stuart Dew give in to temptation and give highly touted draftee Izak Rankine his senior debut in the final round of the season against GWS?
Rankine made his anticipated return from a hamstring injury in Gold Coast’s 35-point NEAFL win over the Sydney Swans on Saturday and Dew made sure he was on hand to see it before making the trip to Melbourne.
The No. 3 pick from last year’s national draft booted a goal and had his hand in numerous others.
A senior game could provide added spark and confidence to Rankine going into the off-season.
— Thomas Boswell
INJURIES
Sam Day (migranes) test
Jack Martin (knee) test
Izak Rankine (hip) test
Anthony Miles (ankle) season
Brayden Crossley (personal leave) season
Callum Ah Chee (ankle) season
Will Brodie (hamstring) season
Sam Collins (hip) season
Nick Holman (back) season
Jack Hombsch (ankle) season
Wil Powell (knee) season
Rory Thompson (knee) season
Harrison Wigg (knee) season
GWS GIANTS
The Giants should be stronger for next week’s final-round away clash with Gold Coast — and gee they would want to be.
Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson, Daniel Lloyd, Sam Taylor and Shane Mumford all expected to be available to return for the must-win clash with the Suns.
“We need to right the wrong quickly and I’m confident we can do that,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“But it doesn’t always work out that you just bring in three or four, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got to get our system right.”
The bad news is defender Nick Haynes, though, who will miss between two and four weeks with a fractured larynx.
INJURIES
Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) test
Jeremy Finlayson (hamstring) test
Daniel Lloyd (calf) test
Sam Taylor (hamstring) test
Jacob Hopper (hamstring) 1 week
Zac Langdon (ankle) 1 week
Stephen Coniglio (knee) 2 weeks
Nick Haynes (throat) 2-4 weeks
Brett Deledio (calf) retired
Matt Flynn (knee) season
Jonathon Patton (knee) season
Callan Ward (knee) season
HAWTHORN
Talk about a tough decision.
Jarryd Roughead bagged six goals to bury Gold Coast on Sunday in what was more of a magic carpet ride than a farewell. Alastair Clarkson always said he would play Roughy if his form warranted it and the team needed him. Well, Clarko, the Hawks need to upset West Coast on Saturday night then hope Adelaide rolls Western Bulldogs on Sunday in Ballarat to get back to the big stage.
Mitch Lewis has hurt his shoulder and faces a big fitness test this week.
If Lewis is no go, Roughead must stay in, surely.
— Jay Clark
INJURIES
Will Golds (ankle) test
Mitch Lewis (shoulder) 1 week
Harry Morrson (broken jaw) season
Grant Birchall (hamstring) 1 week
Ryan Schoenmakers (calf) 1 week
Darren Minchington (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Jarman Impey (knee) season
Harry Jones (knee) season
Tom Mitchell (broken leg) season
Tim Mohr (dislocated knee/ACL) season
MELBOURNE
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, a Melbourne side desperate for the season to end gets belted by a 15th-placed Sydney.
This is a group beaten up by a season of disappointment and the humiliating loss to the Swans perhaps their most galling.
It wasn’t just a feeling of disappointment in the rooms, there was an air of acceptance too. Acceptance that they are a bottom four team.
Max Gawn came to the bench early as a precaution with a tight hamstring, but is set to see the season through in Hobart this week.
Jordan Lewis copped a corked calf but has pulled up well and will play what will be his final AFL game, having announced his retirement.
Kade Chandler fractured his finger against the Swans and will miss the final round.
— Sam Edmund
INJURIES
Tom Sparrow (knee) 1 week
Kade Chandler (finger) season
Jeff Garlett (shoulder) season
Neville Jetta (knee) season
Steven May (hamstring) season
Kade Kolodjashnij (head) season
Tom McDonald (knee) season
Joel Smith (groin) season
Tim Smith (foot) season
Aaron vandenBerg (foot) season
Sam Weideman (jaw/hip) season
NORTH MELBOURNE
A few injury worries for the Roos in an incredible night at Marvel Stadium.
Paul Ahern (hamstring) was a late withdrawal while Jed Anderson (hamstring) and Robbie Tarrant (ankle) both went down in the first half.
North Melbourne will finish its season with a clash against Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday.
INJURIES
Paul Ahern (hamstring) test
Robbie Tarrant (ankle) test
Scott Thompson (concussion) test
Jed Anderson (hamstring) TBC
Tom McKenzie (back) test
Luke Davies-Uniacke (shoulder) season
Majak Daw (hamstring) season
Aaron Hall (personal leave) indefinite
Kyron Hayden (achilles) season
Ben Jacobs (head/neck) season
Luke McDonald (fractured fibula) season
Bailey Scott (foot) season
Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) season
Will Walker (knee) season
Declan Watson (knee) season
Sam Wright (hamstring) retired
PORT ADELAIDE
No injury excuses for the Power’s disastrous performance against Collingwood.
Ryan Burton got through unscathed in his first game back from a four-week absence with a hamstring injury.
Paddy Ryder and Peter Ladhams were absolutely schooled by Todd Goldstein, which has prompted a lot of Port people to ask why would you leave your big off-season recruit — Scott Lycett — in the SANFL for such a crucial game and against a star ruckman.
Young gun Xavier Duursma finished the loss to Collingwood with a bruised heel and will face a fitness test this week.
— Matt Turner
INJURIES
Xavier Duursma (foot) test
Brad Ebert (knee) 1-2 weeks
Jake Patmore (knee) season
Jack Watts (leg) indefinite
RICHMOND
Just when the Tigers’ injury list seemed to be thinning out, some bad news from the VFL with Sydney Stack spotted on crutches after the game.
Stack hurt his ankle after a blistering first half and had surgery on Monday which will see him miss the rest of the season.
Noah Balta gave senior selectors something to think about with 18 disposals, two goals and 21 hit-outs, while Patrick Naish also shone in the tough win against Essendon.
Dylan Grimes has pulled up well after hurting his ankle against West Coast.
Toby Nankervis is back running but is almost certain to miss this week.
Captain Trent Cotchin will return from a hamstring if he gets through training this week.
INJURIES
Trent Cotchin (hamstring) test
Dylan Grimes (ankle) test
Toby Nankervis (adductor) 1 week
Sydney Stack (ankle) indefinite
Jack Higgins (brain bleed) season
Alex Rance (knee) season
Justin Leppitsch on 3AW on Sydney Stack: "He probably needs surgery. There is only a small chance he could play again this year." The syndesmosis tear that saw Libba get back in a miracle recovery in 2016 but most players need months to recover from
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 18, 2019
ST KILDA
Frustration was the overriding feeling at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, and rightfully so. The Saints had their chances against the Blues and simply failed to take them — unlike a week prior.
And Brett Ratten let them know, admitting it was his most forthright post-match address to players — he didn’t hold back.
The Saints travel to Sydney in what could be an emotional night for the Swans, with the potential that Lance Franklin could line up for his 300th game and Jarrad McVeigh his last, with the two teams evenly poised on the ladder.
Ratten was firm that the wasteful nature of Saturday had no place for this team and he was adamant that there would be a number of things he saw against the Blues that he doesn’t want to see again.
Unfortunately, there’s not many to return from injury, with forward Jade Gresham the only chance with a test on his eye injury.
— Lauren Wood
INJURIES
Jade Gresham (eye socket) test
David Armitage (personal) indefinite
Logan Austin (shoulder) indefinite
Jack Bytel (back) season
Nick Coffield (shoulder) season
Jarryn Geary (leg) season
Dean Kent (quad) season
Max King (ankle) season
Billy Longer (concussion) season
Paddy McCartin (concussion) season
Lewis Pierce (concussion) indefinite
Dylan Roberton (heart) season
SYDNEY
The young Swans are primed to finish the season positively after emerging from their commanding win over the Demons unscathed.
Arguably the greatest win for Sydney for was Aliir Aliir’s ruckwork as he largely negated the influence of Max Gawn despite losing the hit-outs 52-12. The Swans’ ruck stocks have been decimated for much of the campaign but Aliir has at least emerged as a legitimate stop gap in the role.
Lance Franklin joined in training on Tuesday as he looks to feature in his 300th game this week. Buddy has not played since Round 14. Retiring veteran Jarrad McVeigh (calf) is a chance to feature in a farewell game after a decorated career with the club which included leading the Swans to the 2012 flag.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Lance Franklin (hamstring) test
Jarrad McVeigh (calf) test
Harry Cunningham (groin) season
Will Hayward (hip) season
Jack Maibaum (knee) season
Colin O’Riordan (groin) season
Callum Sinclair (shoulder) season
Nick Smith (hamstring) season
Durak Tucker (hamstring) TBC
WEST COAST
Nic Naitanui isn’t ready yet despite his encouraging progress with his ankle injury while Will Schofield was out as a selection decision on Sunday. Does Adam Simpson bring back Jarrod Cameron despite only seven touches and a goal in torrid conditions in the WAFL? Probably not. The Eagles were exhilarating yesterday early and late but now need to beat Hawthorn at home to endure they push for a home final given the Cats could still slip up against Carlton. The Eagles will need to replace Mark Hutchings after he pulled up with a hamstring strain, a key out given his tagging abilities.
— Jon Ralph
INJURIES
Liam Duggan (ankle) test
Luke Foley (calf) test
Fraser McInnes (quad) test
Brodie Riach (stress fracture) 1 week
Josh Smith (hamstring) 2 weeks
Mark Hutchings (hamstring) TBC
Jarrod Brander (hamstring) season
Nic Naitanui (ankle) indefinite
Daniel Venables (concussion) season
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Several tough calls loom at selection for Luke Beveridge this week.
Defender Lewis Young made a frantic trip from Victoria to New South Wales on Sunday after Tim English was ruled out through illness and had 17 disposals and seven marks.
English is clearly in the Bulldogs’ best side as the No. 1 ruckman, so how does Beveridge find a spot for Young?
Josh Schache booted three goals in the club’s win over GWS, so it won’t be the key forward who is axed.
The Bulldogs have had a blessed run on the injury front and left Sydney without any major concerns.
Their VFL side edged home against North Melbourne at the weekend with Ben Cavarra and Rhylee West among the best.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Lin Jong (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Ryan Gardner (knee) 1-2 weeks
Caleb Daniel (hamstring) 5-7 weeks
Tom Liberatore (knee) indefinite
Mitch Wallis (ankle) indefinite
Fergus Greene (shoulder) season
Dale Morris (knee) season
Originally published as The Barometer: Every club’s injury list after Round 22