Hurt locker: Latest injury list at every AFL club

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was almost Essendon’s matchwinner in his return VFL game, which was decided after the siren. See what unfolded here.

Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti made a successful return to football through the VFL on Saturday, but fell short of clinching a fairytale after-the-siren victory.

In his first game of the year since returning to the club following personal leave, the Bombers livewire scored two goals in Essendon’s 13.13 (91) 13.10 (88) loss to the Casey Demons on Saturday.

In his first hitout, McDonald-Tipungwuti ran out the game and had the chance to win the game for the Bombers when he was awarded a free kick 50m out from goal when the siren sounded.

His long-range kick made the distance, but he pushed it wide to give the Demons the win at Casey Fields.

He finished with 11 disposals and 2.2, including the first goal of the match with a trademark crumbing goal.

Despite his interrupted pre-season, Bombers coach Ben Rutten would be tempted to unleash the Essendon fan favourite in next Sunday’s must-win clash with Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.

Bombers first round draft selection Ben Hobbs is odds-on to make his AFL debut next weekend against the Crows after starring with 24 possessions and one goal on Saturday.

For the Demons, midfielder Oskar Baker had 24 disposals.

Rested and ready to go 😏

We go head to head with Casey Demons at 3pm! Make sure you tune in for all updates!https://t.co/dlGQFlFWVfpic.twitter.com/3yQXjs6Wmt

— Essendon VFL (@essendonvfl) April 1, 2022

TIPPA TO KICK AT THE HORN

— Essendon VFL (@essendonvfl) April 2, 2022

HAWKS SKIPPER SIDELINED BY SCARY INJURY

Hawthorn captain Ben McEvoy has been sidelined indefinitely after suffering a small fracture in his neck in a training mishap on Thursday.

McEvoy has been pulled from the Hawks’ squad to face Carlton on Sunday and is facing months on the sidelines after scans confirmed the fracture.

Hawthorn club doctor Liam West said the club had consulted medical specialists on the best course of action for the injury and would take a cautious approach.

“Once healed, this will have no impact on Ben’s ability to play football moving forward and at this stage we expect him to return to the team in the back half of the season,” West said.

“We’ll continue to assess Ben throughout his recovery following further specialist advice.”

McEvoy, 32, said while he was feeling sore, he was glad he would make a full recovery.

“I was pretty sore straight after, then (on Thursday) afternoon went to get some scans,” McEvoy said.

“It has been confirmed that I’ve got a small fracture in one of the lateral bones in my neck, but it’s all stable and safe.

“I’m going to have some time out of the game while that heals, but I’m really pleased that I’m going to make a full recovery with no ongoing complications.”

Ben McEvoy has been sidelined indefinitely.

The injury is a blow to the Hawks, who have made an unlikely 2-0 start to the season.

McEvoy had missed Round 1 under AFL Health and Safety Protocols, but returned against Port Adelaide last week and was one of the Hawks’ better players with 14 disposals, 16 hit-outs and eight score involvements.

Midfielder Jaeger O’Meara will serve as Hawthorn’s acting captain against the Blues this weekend.

HANNEBERY UNDERGOES SURGERY IN BID TO SAVE CAREER

Injury-cursed Saint Dan Hannebery will undergo surgery on his right calf on Thursday as club medical staff desperately try to rid him of his perennial soft-tissue woes.

The 31-year-old, who is out of contract this year, has played only 15 games in three seasons since crossing from Sydney on a lucrative deal – and suffered another setback on Saturday.

Coach Brett Ratten confirmed Hannebery would go under the knife to fix this latest issue and be sidelined for between six and eight weeks.

“It’s frustrating for Dan. He’s worked so hard, but I think this will allow him to maybe overcome the calf injuries that he’s had and hopefully it’s a clean slate for him when he gets back,” Ratten said.

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Dan Hannebery is set to undergo surgery on his right calf.

“So, hopefully it’s six weeks, he gets over it and before you know it, he’s playing the last part of the year and having an influence on games, which he can do.

“He is frustrated. You think of what he’s achieved in the game and then not to play the game that you love – it’s frustrating for anybody.

“So, he’ll have the operation, take a little bit of time, but he’ll be back and I think it will help him enormously.”

Ratten said they hadn’t sent Hannebery for surgery earlier because it hadn’t always been the same injury but they remain confident he can play regular senior football.

He was adamant there were no discussions about a mutual early parting between player and club despite his body continually breaking down.

“That hasn’t been talked of and it won’t be talked of,” Ratten said.

“Dan’s preparing himself to have an impact in the second half of the year. We’re at round 2, and let’s say he misses eight (weeks), that’s round 10.

“There’s a lot of footy to be played, so we’re not talking anything like that.

“We want Dan to be fresh, healthy and perform like he can. He’s a quality player, so we’ve got to get him out on the park to perform and I think he’ll overcome this injury and get back.”

— Marc McGowan

COVID CASE DELAYS DOGS’ RUCK PLANS

The Western Bulldogs have had to go back to the drawing board on selection this week after ruckman Stef Martin entered the AFL’s Covid protocols.

The veteran ruckman was in the frame to return to the team to partner Tim English against the Swans tomorrow night as the Dogs try to avoid a 0-3 start to the season.

Meanwhile, Richmond midfielder Kane Lambert has avoided surgery and ramped up his training as he eyes a return from a hip problem.

And Carlton is set to make some big changes as it aims to continue its unbeaten start to the season.

Scroll down to see the latest injury list from every club plus expert analysis.

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Stefan Martin has entered the AFL’s health and safety protocols. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

ADELAIDE

Rory Laird (hand) available

Rory Sloane (adductor) test

Andrew McPherson (hamstring) 1 week

Paul Seedsman (concussion) ongoing

Rory Laird might have missed the first two games of the season but the reigning Adelaide club champion will be cherry ripe if he returns in Friday night’s Showdown. Sloane is confident he can feature in the Showdown after tweaking his adductor early in the loss to Collingwood.

- Simeon Thomas-Wilson

BRISBANE LIONS

Keidean Coleman (hamstring) 4-6 weeks

Eric Hipwood (knee) 5-6 weeks

Keidean Coleman is “ahead of schedule” to make his return from a hamstring injury. Lions skipper Dayne Zorko also made it through the round 2 clash against Essendon after concerns surrounding his calf, and will be available to play in round 3.

- Chris Honnery

CARLTON

Jack Carroll (knee) 1 week

Adam Cerra (AFL Health and Safety Protocols) available

David Cuningham (knee) indefinite

Ed Curnow (knee) 3-5 weeks

Josh Honey (knee) 3-4 weeks

Caleb Marchbank (knee) 4-5 weeks

Jack Martin (AFL Health and Safety Protocols) available

Oscar McDonald (back) 1-2 weeks

Sam Philp (ribs) test

Adam Cerra and Jack Martin are as good as certain to return from the AFL’s health and safety protocols for Carlton’s clash with fellow unbeaten team Hawthorn on Sunday. Both players missed last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs but Martin has already resumed training, while midfield star Cerra is due back mid-week and expected to be fine. Key defender Oscar McDonald (back spasms) is an injury casualty, with coach Michael Voss foreshadowing a potential club debut for ex-Dog Lewis Young or a recall for rookie-listed Luke Parks.

- Marc McGowan

COLLINGWOOD

Isaac Chugg (abdominals) TBC

Charlie Dean (foot) 4-8 weeks

Nathan Kreuger (shoulder) 4-6 weeks

Beau McCreery (hip) 3-4 weeks

Nathan Murphy (ankle) 4-8 weeks

Jordan Roughead (shoulder) 2-4 weeks

Unbeaten Collingwood has lost Nathan Kreuger and Beau McCreery for the next month, but regains Mason Cox from his ankle setbackfor Saturday night’s clash against Geelong.

- Marc McGowan

Nathan Kreuger of the Magpies ices his shoulder. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Zach Merrett is a huge loss for the Bombers. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

ESSENDON

Dylan Shiel (side strain) test

Nik Cox (ankle) short term

Harry Jones (ankle) short term

Will Snelling (calf) short term

Zach Merrett (ankle) medium term

Kyle Langford (hamstring) long term

Michael Hurley (hip) indefinite

Vice-captain Zach Merrett faces up to two months on the sidelines after undergoing ankle surgery this week in a bitter blow for the struggling Bombers. Fellow midfielder Nik Cox also suffered an ankle injury against the Lions.

- Chris Cavanagh

FREMANTLE

David Mundy (Health and Safety Protocols) 1 week

Matt Taberner (hamstring) test

Nathan Wilson (shoulder) test

Sean Darcy (ankle) test

Josh Treacy (ankle) test

Nat Fyfe (back) TBA

Matt Johnson (ankle) TBA

Eric Benning (lower leg) TBA

Captain Nat Fyfe has declared he “will be playing footy this year” despite having surgery on a back injury that is expected to keep him out for another six weeks. Veteran David Mundy will miss Sunday’s western derby as he continues to isolate under the AFL’s health and safety protocols. Forward Matt Taberner is a chance to play his first game of 2022 as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in the lead-up to round 1. Ruckman Sean Darcy has also been listed as a test despite being subbed out of Sunday’s loss to the Saints with an ankle injury. Rebounding defender Nathan Wilson (shoulder) and forward Josh Treacy (ankle) are also a chance to come into the 22.

- Samantha Rogers, Mitchell Woodcock/WEST AUSTRALIAN

GEELONG

Toby Conway (hip) TBC

Flynn Kroeger (hip) TBC

Sam Menegola (knee) test

Gary Rohan (back and hip) TBC

Sam Simpson (concussion) TBC

James Willis (knee) TBC

Geelong will search for a quick turnaround in the midfield against Collingwood this week, with veteran Shaun Higgins to return after he was rested last weekend. Higgins was listed as “managed” for the round 2 loss to Sydney and was the first Cat to be rotated out of the side this season, a plan coach Chris Scott has mentioned multiple times in the past fortnight.

The 256-game midfielder is set to return to face the Magpies, while the Cats facing selection quandaries as Gryan Miers, Mark O’Connor and Sam De Koning are all fit and available to come in. Scott said regular rotations would be a feature of selection all season.

“That was the situation with Shaun last week and it will be the situation with others in the future,” he said.

- Josh Barnes

GOLD COAST

Jack Bowes (shoulder) 5-7 weeks

Charlie Constable (groin) 1-2 weeks

Ben King (knee) season

Bodhi Uwland (back) indefinite

Experienced midfielder Charlie Constable is edging closer to returning from injury but missed last week’s VFL season opener as he continues to recover from a groin concern. Jack Bowes will progress into full contact work in the next few weeks.

- Chris Honnery

GWS GIANTS

Jacob Hopper (knee) ongoing

Josh Fahey (shoulder) ongoing

Conor Stone (hamstring) 3-5 weeks

Zach Sproule (shoulder) 5 weeks

Brent Daniels (foot) 5-7 weeks

Daniel Lloyd (arm) 8-10 weeks

Phil Davis (hamstring) 2-3 months

Jack Buckley (knee) 3-4 months

A brutal hamstring injury to Phil Davis will see him spend nearly three months on the sidelines. Jacob Hopper is still battling a knee injury and won’t return this week.

- Will Hogan

Phil Davis of the Giants grabs at his left hamstring. Picture: Michael Klein

HAWTHORN

Chad Wingard (hamstring) test

Jarman Impey (foot) available

Connor Downie (hamstring) 1 week

Lachlan Bramble (foot) 2-3 weeks

Max Lynch (concussion) unavailable

Hawthorn forward Chad Wingard remains a chance to face Carlton at the MCG on Sunday after being subbed out of last week’s win over Port Adelaide with a hamstring concern. Wingard left the field in the second quarter after experiencing hamstring tightness. But scans have since cleared the Hawks star of serious injury and he will face a fitness test this week.

- Rebecca Williams

MELBOURNE

Kade Chandler - quad - test

Jake Lever - foot - 1-2 weeks

Michael Hibberd - calf - 2-4 weeks

Harry Petty - calf - 2-3 weeks

Daniel Turner - foot - 4-6 weeks

Christian Salem - knee - 5-7 weeks

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin revealed premiership defender Jake Lever could be sidelined beyond round 4 as the club takes an ultra-cautious approach to his return from a foot injury. Lever, who is overcoming plantar fasciitis, and premiership-winning teammate Michael Hibberd, who suffered a calf strain on the eve of the season, are yet to play in 2022 and won’t take the field against Essendon on Friday night at the MCG.

- Russell Gould

NORTH MELBOURNE

Tarryn Thomas (internal bruising) 4-8 weeks

Luke Davies-Uniacke (concussion) unavailable

Ben McKay (concussion) available

Matt McGuinness (foot) available

Will Phillips (glandular fever) 1-2 weeks

Rising star Tarryn Thomas faces at least a month and possibly double that on the sidelines with internal bruising after copping an accidental kick to the ribs while trying to apply a smother against the Eagles.

- Marc McGowan

Karl Amon and Charlie Dixon warm up at Port Adelaide training. Picture: Mark Brake

PORT ADELAIDE

Aliir Aliir (ankle) 4-5 weeks

Tom Clurey (knee) 2-3 weeks

Charlie Dixon (ankle) assess

Orazio Fantasia (knee) 6-8 weeks

Robbie Gray (knee) assess

Kane Farrell (knee) 2-3 weeks

Trent McKenzie (ankle) assess

Port Adelaide will be hopeful Charlie Dixon and Robbie Gray can return for the showdown. Trent McKenzie is also a test.

- Simeon Thomas-Wilson

RICHMOND

Jack Riewoldt (thumb) will be available of he completes training this week

Dylan Grimes (soreness) will play if he gets through training

Dion Prestia (hamstring) short term

Nick Vlastuin (hamstring) medium term

Thomson Dow (knee) chance to play

Kane Lambert (hip) TBC

Dustin Martin (personal leave) indefinite

Richmond says surgery is off the table for Kane Lambert, who has been upping his training loads as he recovers from a hip complaint. The Tigers are set to welcome back key forward Jack Riewoldt and co-captain Dylan Grimes for Sunday’s clash against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. Riewoldt missed last week’s win over GWS after thumb surgery but the Tigers say he would be available if he completes training this week. Grimes was a late withdrawal with soreness in round 2 but is also expected to play if he gets through raining. Dow was cleared of serious knee injury after being subbed out against the Giants and remains a chance to play.

- Rebecca Williams

Kane Lambert is ramping up his training. Picture: Michael Klein

ST KILDA

Jack Billings (hamstring) 2-4 weeks

Jack Bytel (conditioning) TBC

Hunter Clark (shoulder) 4-6 weeks

Nick Coffield (ACL) season

Dan Hannebery (calf) TBC

Zak Jones (personal leave) indefinite

Paddy Ryder (achilles soreness) available

The Saints will asses how ruckman Ryder trains this week after his first competitive hitout in the VFL last weekend since he was sidelined with achilles soreness late last year. Ryder played about three-and-a-half quarters of the match.

- Rebecca Williams

SYDNEY

Tom Papley (hamstring) TBC

Justin McInerney (knee sprain) test

Colin O’Riordan (eye) 2 weeks

Robbie Fox (hamstring) 2 weeks

The Swans are pleased with Papley’s progress from his hamstring injury, while McInerney faces a fitness test this week. O’Riordan suffered a poke to the eye in the VFL and he will miss a couple of weeks while the club gets his vision cleared and checked by specialists. Fox was also a casualty in the VFL, hurting his hamstring.

- Rebecca Williams

WEST COAST

Oscar Allen (foot) 4 weeks

Campbell Chesser (ankle) inactive

Greg Clark (shoulder) 3-4 weeks

Tom Cole (ankle) inactive

Jamie Cripps (pectoral) 3-4 weeks

Andrew Gaff (foot) test

Tom Joyce (ankle) 3 weeks

Jackson Nelson (knee) test

Dom Sheed (ankle) 6-8 weeks

Zane Trew (shin) TBC

Connor West (hamstring) test

Elliot Yeo (calf) 2 weeks

Nic Naitanui, Tom Barrass, Jack Redden, Jamaine Jones, Josh Rotham, Zac Langdon and Harry Edwards will finish their isolation period ahead of the weekend, but ruckman Bailey Williams will miss the game due to health and safety protocols.

- Ben Smith/WEST AUSTRALIAN

The Bulldogs say Aaron Naughton will play against the Swans. Picture: Michael Klein

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Hayden Crozier (illness) test

Aaron Naughton (calf) available

Jason Johannisen (calf) 2-3 weeks

Josh Bruce (knee) 4-5 months

Toby McLean (knee) 4-5 months

Sam Darcy (foot) indefinite

Stefan Martin (health and safety protocols) TBC

It’s understood Martin, 35, was right in the selection frame to play what would’ve been his 200th AFL match before he tested positive for coronavirus.

Martin had 14 disposals, five clearances and 24 hitouts in what was a disappointing day for the club’s VFL outfit last week.

Some players thought he was likely to get the nod as the Dogs prepare to take on 96kg Swans ruckman Tom Hickey. But Martin will instead watch on from isolation. The Bulldogs confirmed that he was unavailable under the AFL’s Covid protocols.

Aaron Naughton is certain to line up at full-forward and could be supported at times by Marcus Bontempelli, who is still nursing a sore ankle.

Naughton has shaken off a corked calf and been given the green light to spearhead the Dogs’ attack.

The Bulldogs are still investigating Hayden Crozier’s bizarre fainting episode but will regain Bailey Smith when they face a rampaging Sydney on Thursday night as they fight to avoid their worst start to a season under premiership coach Luke Beveridge.

- Sam Landsberger