AFL preliminary finals injury news: Kane Farrell outside chance to return, Lachie Neale update
Brisbane star Lachie Neale has admitted he’s been carrying a ‘significant’ heel issue for two months. Will he be 100 per cent on Saturday? Plus, there might a be a surprise inclusion at Port.
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Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale has shrugged off any chance he will miss Saturday’s preliminary final against Geelong as he hobbles through a “fairly significant” heel issue.
The ball magnet was seen in a moonboot as the Lions returned north from Saturday night’s stunning semi-final win over GWS Giants, after being spotted feeling for his foot and heel in the final quarter of that match.
The co-captain has been dealing with a left heel problem for more two months but refused to let that affect his availability for the meeting with the Cats.
“Certainly not in any doubt but yeah probably over the last 8-10 weeks I have had a fairly significant issue with my heel but on game day it feels 100 per cent most of the time,” he told SEN.
“It was probably the first game where it flared up a bit (against GWS). Obviously take some painkilling stuff to help that and it must have worn off a bit and I must have moved in a different way and it was grabbing a bit more than usual.
“I don’t do much (training) early in the week and Thursdays if you watch training you probably think I am not going to play, that is how badly I have been moving. But game day I feel 100 per cent. (I will) definitely play but carrying a bit of foot and heel soreness at the moment.”
Neale’s usually sky-high standards slipped a little on Saturday against Giants tagger Toby Bedford, as the dual Brownlow medallist registered just 19 touches and had a greatly reduced impact.
Only one in his last 54 games has he had less than 19 touches.
The Cats will put plenty of time into stopping Neale this week but won’t be able to call on Mark O’Connor to do the job, as Chris Scott has in the past.
O’Connor is out for the season with a knee problem, making hard-nut Tom Atkins the most likely option to man Neale.
Season not over? Port defender’s shock comeback chance
– Matt Turner
Less than three weeks on from being ruled out for the season, Kane Farrell may make a surprise return for Port Adelaide’s preliminary final against Sydney.
The half-back, who is recovering from a high-grade hamstring strain sustained in the last minor round, is considered an outside chance to face the Swans at the SCG on Friday night.
Farrell resumed running earlier this month and the Power was leaving the door open for him on Sunday to be chosen if he got through training unimpeded.
While his selection was viewed as unlikely, the left-footer would provide a boost because of his penetrating kick and ability to generate attacking forays from the backline.
Port deemed his season to be over after he was subbed off with the injury in the Power’s win against Fremantle in Perth in round 24.
Coach Ken Hinkley said post-game on Saturday night that Farrell could be a chance to play in Sydney, but the club would not take unnecessary risks.
“He’s running pretty well,” Hinkley said.
“But all that information will come out through the week.”
Defender Ryan Burton will be listed as a test after being sidelined for the home semi-final win over Hawthorn on Friday night due to a calf niggle.
The Power turned to Jase Burgoyne and Josh Sinn to fill the holes at half-back in the absence of Farrell, Burton and dual All-Australian Dan Houston (suspension).
Burgoyne, who had performed well on a wing this season, was arguably best-on-ground, while Sinn, the 12th pick in the 2021 national draft, held his own in just his ninth AFL match.
The 21-year-olds, along with mid-season recruit Logan Evans, 18, played crucial roles on the Hawks’ dangerous small forwards in the Power’s three-point victory.
That would be encouraging for Port for the remainder of these finals and beyond considering Houston was expected to move to a Victorian club at season’s end.
If Farrell or Burton were available, the Power might consider making Quinton Narkle or Francis Evans the substitute and dropping first-year wingman/half-back Will Lorenz, who was the sub against Hawthorn.
Port will be forced into one change, losing forward Todd Marshall to concussion.
Spearhead Charlie Dixon, a late withdrawal on Friday because of illness, loomed as the likely replacement.
LACHIE TO FIGHT THROUGH THE PAIN
- Jon Ralph
Dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale is set to fight through the pain of a debilitating heel issue that will require pain-killing injections to suit up in the preliminary final against Geelong.
Neale clutched at his lower leg in the final moments of the dramatic 44-point comeback against Greater Western Sydney but will play against the Cats.
It is understood the issue is a bone-related concern near his heel but he has successfully managed the concern for some months.
So while he was in a moon boot on Sunday and is often hobbling around in the early stages of the week he hasn’t missed a beat despite dealing with the issue for much of the back-end of the season.
Defender Jack Payne had a slow start as he conceded five goals to the brilliant Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan but had a strong final quarter despite coming into the game with a medial ligament concern.
There is every chance the Lions will go into the contest unchanged given a clean bill of health.
Third forward Logan Morris was subbed out for the a goalless final and was replaced by Conor McKenna, who was excellent in his time on the ground.
The Lions lost a VFL preliminary final against Werribee and while utility Bruce Reville was excellent he came off late, with Brisbane hopeful it was only a hamstring cramp.
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