AFL round 19 injury list: Tigers hit with another blow, as Yze hits back at Dusty critics
Tigers coach Adem Yze says he doesn’t care what people think of their handling of Dustin Martin, as another key name was added to Richmond’s injury list after their loss to the Power.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir admits he is “nervous” about a knock to skipper Alex Pearce’s broken arm which saw the skipper subbed out of the Dockers 50-point win over Melbourne.
The injury concern was the only downside to an emphatic Fremantle win which put them back inside of the top four and gave the Dees a mountain to climb to make the finals.
It was Pearce’s first game back since suffering a fracture in the arm against Gold Coast a month ago.
Fremantle had wins against Sydney and Richmond but a loss to Hawthorn in Pearce’s absence and he is widely regarded as one of the club’s most important players.
Asked what he knew about Pearce’s injury, Longmuir said: “Not much yet. He got a knock on that arm and I don’t know too much more. It is sore. The game was done so we thought we would sub him off. He will have to get a scan and we will go from there.”
Asked how he was feeling about it Longmuir said: “Nervous. We will see what the scan says. Drapes (Josh Draper) is in good form and he has played a lot of footy. If he gets another opportunity I am sure he will be ready to take it.”
“The funny thing was he was due to come off a couple of minutes before because he was due to come off. It was sore when he came off. It is not as sore now, by all reports. We will just get a scan and we will get the information to you.”
Longmuir said Pearce was “probably a little bit nervous and frustrated. He would have liked to have come through the game obviously. Being the captain of the club and having been in such good form all year he wants to be out there competing with his brothers. Fingers crossed he will be out there next week.”
The Dockers also pulled Matt Johnson out of their selected team with “foot soreness” which meant that Michael Walters came off the subs bench and into the team. Walters made the most of it and kicked three goals.
Longmuir expected Johnson to miss next week’s derby as well.
“We probably just need to give him a couple of weeks off and get on top of it. He would be likely to miss next week as well.”
“He pulled up a little bit sore from training. He reported it in and we got it scanned. It looks like we got it early and he might need a couple of weeks.”
TIGERS COP ANOTHER INJURY BLOW AS YZE HITS OUT
Richmond coach Adem Yze says he “doesn’t care” what critics say about the club’s handling of Dustin Martin with the club hopeful he might join Nick Vlastuin and Tim Taranto in taking on Collingwood next week.
But the club’s ruck stocks have taken a battering with Toby Nankervis in the concussion protocol and Samson Ryan having to battle through an ankle issue that nearly saw him subbed off against the Power.
Richmond was competitive for three quarters despite having 18 players on its injury list before the Power flexed its muscles at Adelaide Oval.
The Tigers initially subbed Nankervis off with what it said were tactical reasons but Yze said post-match the decision was based on a SCAT6 test the captain was about to undertake.
“We subbed him out. He was going down for a concussion test for 15 minutes so that took out half of the last quarter anyway. We decided to sub him. I think he would mostly likely go into concussion protocols
“We were about to sub (Samson Ryan), he had a sore ankle and we were about to put the paperwork through for that and touch wood he should be OK, but the big skipper will go into the protocols.”
Richmond will need to build up Martin’s fitness base so he’s no guarantee to face Collingwood, but Yze declared himself uninterested in outside criticism of the club’s management of the triple Norm Smith star.
“I don’t really care what other people say. He needed some time away and he wasn’t going to be available to play and he will come back into our program and hopefully be fit to play.
“He did (go to New Zealand). The week before he had some time away, his back was a bit crook so he’s come back and hopefully train this week and hopefully be available for the Collingwood game.
“He was a bit sore when he got back so we need a full week of training so he can be available, whenever that is.”
“Nick Vlastuin (back) and Tim Taranto (concussion) will be available next week and they will come back into the team but we only had three or four players to choose from that didn’t get game a today, so that side of it, we are really proud of the way our players are fighting but at the same time we need to get better.”
Jack Graham missed with a minor hip issue so could also be available against the Pies.
“We just want to win, and I was rapt with the mindset around our last quarter to win the game and not have an honourable loss. But our boys are hurting,” Yze said.
“Our fans expect a lot from us and so do we and I would hope the fans are proud of our performance up to three quarter time but we have to get better.”
SAINTS SPEEDSTER RULED OUT FOR SEASON
– Jay Clark
St Kilda livewire Liam Henry will be sidelined for the rest of the year after surgery to repair a cartilage problem on his knee.
The club confirmed on Sunday Henry, 22, will require a procedure after hobbling off Marvel Stadium in the 72-point win over West Coast with the left knee injury.
It continues a tough season for the former Docker who also missed six matches with a serious hamstring injury earlier in the year.
Henry is one of the Saints’ most important players because of the polish he adds to the forward half.
Saints’ football boss David Misson said the surgery would allow Henry to be ready to start pre-season training with the rest of his teammates in preparation for 2025.
“Scans today have shown Liam has significant cartilage damage to his knee,” Misson said.
“This will require surgery and unfortunately see Liam miss the remainder of the season.
“Liam has had a rough run with injuries this year which has been disappointing, but we’ve also been able to see the impact he can have when he is up and running.
“We’re confident that after this period of rehab we’ll see Liam back to his best in 2025.”
Spearhead Max King is also out for the rest of the year with a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Saints’ win on Saturday elevated the club to 28 points in 15th position.
CROWS BREATHE SIGH OF RELIEF AS MURRAY AVOIDS SECOND ACL BLOW
– Tim Michell
Adelaide defender Nick Murray has dodged a second ACL injury in a huge boost for Adelaide after its last-gasp win over Essendon on Friday night.
Murray was subbed out during the two-point triumph amid fears he had reinsured the same knee which ended his 2023 campaign in round 19.
But the Crows revealed on Saturday Murray had been cleared of ACL damage.
“We are very pleased that the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) has not been ruptured and there is no significant damage to Nick’s knee,” Adelaide’s high performance manager Darren Burgess said.
“We took a no-risk approach to sub him out on Friday night and he will consult his specialist this week about the next steps.
“Best-case scenario is he is available for selection next weekend, but again we will be conservative with him given his recovery from a knee reconstruction last year.”
Nick Murray's in good spirits after his knee injury earlier tonight 🙠pic.twitter.com/CstjuxO2x5
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 19, 2024
If there truly is a merciful, loving God, then Nick Murray's knee will only be a small injury. pic.twitter.com/jkB9CV18N5
— Baron von Klar Esq âœ ðŸ›©ï¸ *Atlas Network Approved (@BaronvonKlar) July 19, 2024
But the news was not all positive for Adelaide, which came from behind to defeat the Bombers despite being without Murray and Jordon Butts for much of the second half.
Butts has sustained a lisfranc issue in his left foot, with Adelaide uncertain how long the key defender will be sidelined for.
“Unfortunately, Jordon will miss some football but we need more information on the injury before knowing exactly how long he will be out for,” Burgess said.
“It is obviously disappointing for him, but he will require further assessment before any decision is made.”
History made as two Crows share Malcolm Blight Medal
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson joined an exclusive club as a back-to-back winner of the Malcolm Blight Medal as the count finished in a historic tie for the first time.
Read more
‘It’s our journey’: Twins pledge to carve own navy blue legacy
They are the sons of Blues royalty. Now, Ben and Lucas Camporeale are ready to carry on their dad’s legacy in navy blue — and can’t wait to get started.
Read more