AFL injury news: Western Bulldogs Liam Jones, Tim O’Brien sidelined, Demons cautious on Clayton Oliver

Will Clayton Oliver play this week? Demons coach Simon Goodwin provided an update on his fitness on Monday morning as the Dogs look for replacements for an injured duo.

Liam Jones will be out for a while with a broken arm. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne midfield star Clayton Oliver could be ruled in or out of Thursday’s blockbuster clash with Geelong as soon as Tuesday, but is no certainty to return from injury.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin revealed the no-risk approach on Monday morning as he confirmed his team would travel to Geelong on Wednesday and train on the Cats’ home ground the day before the match for the first time, treating it “just like any other away game” in the hope of enhancing their preparation.

Oliver spent five days in hospital with an infected blister after recovering from a hamstring injury, and while Goodwin was “hopeful” for a return against the Cats, he wasn’t prepared to lock it in.

Melbourne was set to train on Monday after players had a four-day break across their bye weekend and Goodwin was not ready to declare either Oliver or Harrison Petty, who is coming off a foot injury, would definitely play the Cats.

“We’ll know a bit more today where’s at, both physically and whether he’s ready to perform at the level,” Goodwin said on Monday morning.

“He’s progressing well, we’re hopeful. Both he and Harrison Petty are in the same position.

“We’re hopeful but not certain. We need to make sure they train and pull up well. We’re not declaring them at this point.”

Clayton Oliver is put through his paces on the MCG after Melbourne’s win on King’s Birthday. Picture: Michael Klein

Goodwin said the five-day stint in hospital for Oliver, who was put through a rigorous training session on the MCG after his team’s King’s Birthday win over Collingwood, had impacted the on-baller.

“Spending five days in hospital isn’t ideal,” he said.

“It is about performance, making sure they are ready to perform and we won’t take any risks with any players.”

Melbourne is going the extra mile to prepare for the Cats, changing the dimensions of their oval at Casey Fields to match GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.

Following that the squad will travel to Geelong on Wednesday and stay overnight to put themselves in the best position for success.

The Demons have lost four of the past five clashes against the Cats in Geelong.

“We’ve played down there a lot in the last four of five years, we’ve had some success, but we’ve also had some poor performances,” Goodwin said.

“We want to train down there, get used to the environment. We’re going to leave no stone unturned.”

Melbourne is currently third on the AFL ladder while Geelong are in 10th with just one win in their past five games.

Wounded Dogs eye defensive replacements

– Shane Jones

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is confident Aaron Naughton playing in defence will be a once-off and won’t happen for the rest of the season.

The key forward was forced to play a key defender role during the second half after the Bulldogs lost Liam Jones and Tim O’Brien to injury during the first half of their 21-point win over North Melbourne on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

Jones was taken to hospital with a fractured arm and will be out for some time with surgery required.

“He’ll need that plated,” Beveridge said.

“He left the building during the game to get scans. We’re hoping to get him in (for surgery) and get that repaired. I don’t know how long he’ll be out but he’ll be out for a while.”

O’Brien could be out for a couple of weeks with his hamstring.

Liam Jones faces a stint on the sideline after fracturing his arm against North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Despite losing both key players for a period of time, Beveridge won’t be tempted to use Naughton up back.

Instead, others will be looked to cover the role.

“If we didn’t have anyone else who could play there on our list then you’d have to consider it,” Beveridge said.

“James O’Donnell, Josh Bruce, Ryan Gardiner were all pretty solid in Footscray’s win over Williamstown out there.

“There are some boys there who can come in and play those important roles.

“Aaron is really important for us forward, so it’s unlikely because we’ve got options.”

Tim O'Brien looks on after being subbed from the match with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty Images

The game will be remembered for the six-goal haul to Cody Weightman who had his best game for the club in his 50th AFL match.

Forced to play more game time, 10 per cent more than usual with rotations down due to injury, Beveridge was impressed with the way he went about it.

“Cody was outstanding and stayed out there for a lot longer, which is a good one for us to consider,” he said.

“He was really obviously influential in the game.”

The Bulldogs enter the bye at 8-6 for the season and inside the top eight in seventh, one game from the top four.

Beveridge said it was about where the team deserves to be.

“We’re just a margin off the best teams in the competition,” he said.

“We’ve given ourselves a look and it’s our objective in the last nine games to see if we can get to the heels of the more established sides at the top end.”

The Bulldogs’ next match is against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday July 1.