AFL round 5 injury news: Blues’ defensive rejig, Max King escapes scare, surgery for Clayton Oliver

The Blues are still sporting from a shock loss to the Crows, but the pain is set to continue with two key backman under injury clouds, while GWS’ Sam Taylor will miss at least one week.

Carlton star Sam Walsh says he is ready to build on his sparkling return from a back injury as the Blues will be forced to rejig their backline against the GWS Orange Tsunami on Saturday.

Walsh pulled up well from his return from back issues but Carlton lost a trio of prime movers to hamstring strains, starting with Adam Cerra’s low-level strain at training on Thursday.

Mitch McGovern and Adam Saad will both miss multiple weeks after in-game injuries in a development that robs the club of significant drive off the half back flank.

Carlton gave up a 16 point lead with only minutes remaining as coach Michael Voss admitted the club’s defensive efforts had been off for most of the contest against Adelaide.

Adam Saad and Mitch McGovern were both injured in the Blues’ loss to the Crows. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

But he is optimistic the club’s game is in good shape ahead of the Marvel Stadium clash against an unbeaten Greater Western Sydney on Saturday at 4.35pm.

Caleb Marchbank could return from the concussion protocols and back soreness to replace McGovern as the Blues depth is tested by injury.

Alex Cincotta and Lachie Cowan are both in solid VFL form and will be in the picture to replace Saad.

The Giants will lose Sam Taylor to concussion protocols after his sickening collision with St Kilda’s Jack Steele on Saturday.

He was released from hospital on Saturday night and driven home from Canberra by the club’s welfare officer and was in good spirits on Sunday.

The dramatic nature of his collision, as he lost consciousness and then required an oxygen mask as the game was delayed for 10 minutes, means the Giants will not rush his recovery.

TIGERS YOUNGSTER RUPTURES ACL

Richmond sent No.30 draft pick Judson Clarke back onto the ground with knee heavily strapped before the ACL diagnosis that will further stretch the decimated Tigers this season.

Clarke was on Sunday ruled out for the rest of the season after he ruptured the ACL that he first tore in 2019.

Clarke injured his knee in the VFL on Saturday but returned to the ground heavily strapped to kick a long goal before limping badly as he ran to the bench.

Richmond’s doctor would have conducted a structural integrity test on his anterior cruciate but clearly believed he did not have existing ACL damage.

It continues a torrid run of luck for a club that had hoped to fast-track the development of players like Clarke given an already-lengthy injury list.

Judson Clarke has injured his ACL. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

The injury list has hit 15 players, with Dustin Martin also missing two games with calf issues this year.

The club’s No.8 draft pick from the 2021 draft, Josh Gibcus, is also out for the season after tearing his ACL against Carlton earlier this season.

Richmond’s best-and-fairest winner Tim Taranto will miss up to six weeks after breaking his wrist this week, while dual premiership forward Tom Lynch (hamstring tendon) could miss another 12 weeks.

Noah Balta will miss another 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, Dion Prestia is out for three weeks with a hamstring issue and Jacob Hopper is out for 2-3 more weeks with a knee injury.

Jack Ross is also out for eight weeks with a foot stress fracture.

James Trezise (3-5 weeks, ankle), Jacob Bauer (4-6 weeks, hamstring), Mate Colina (back, long-term) and Liam Fawcett (back, long-term) are also on the injury list.

Richmond football boss Tim Livingstone said the Clarke injury was unfortunate for a player who was keen to build on his 17 AFL games.

“We are all feeling for Judson, who works so hard behind the scenes, to give himself the best chance to perform,” he said.

“Unfortunately, Judson injured his knee yesterday in the VFL game at Werribee.

“Our Club will support Judson to return fitter and stronger next season. We know he will attack his rehab with great energy and commitment.”

KING CLEARED OF SERIOUS INJURY

St Kilda’s Max King has avoided serious knee injury and is a chance to play against Western Bulldogs on Thursday night.

King had scans on Sunday which showed a contusion and no major ligament damage.

It is good news for the Saints who are hopeful he can take on the Dogs pending his ability to train this week.

St Kilda almost pinched a massive upset win over GWS late but went down by one point to the Giants in Canberra on Saturday.

King could still face the Dogs this week. Photo by Phil Hillyard

OLIVER GOES UNDER KNIFE, GUN DEFENDER TO MISS CHUNK OF YEA

- Jay Clark and Jon Ralph

Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver has undergone surgery on his finger while the Demons will lose gun defender Christian Salem for up to six weeks.

In a major blow for the club which lost Angus Brayshaw to a career-ending concussion this season, the Demons will also have to replace Salem as well in the midfield until the mid-point of the season.

Oliver went under the knife on Friday to fix a problem which has been bothering in recent weeks after dislocating it at training.

The Demons are hopeful he will be available to play against Richmond on ANZAC Day eve, giving the brilliant onballer 12 days to recover.

A banged-up Oliver played against Brisbane despite his finger injury amid speculation he also had multiple sore spots including a rib issue.

Oliver struggled against the Lions. Picture: Getty Images

The decision backfired given he was again fumbly and lacked impact for the second game in a row as Brisbane torched the Demons onball unit.

Oliver had 18 touches in the loss on Thursday night after only 16 touches in the win over Adelaide, the first time he has had under 20 disposals in back-to-back matches since his debut season in 2016.

Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson said the injury had hampered Oliver, but were confident he would be in the mix to play the Tigers in Round 7.

“Clayton has been managing a finger issue over the past few weeks, and has today undergone a small procedure,” Richardson said.

“The required surgery will alleviate some pain Clayton has been experiencing, which will allow him to play and perform at his best for the rest of the season.

“With the extended break we have before our next match, and with everything going to plan, we expect Clayton not to miss any footy and to be available for our Round 7 clash against Richmond.”

Oliver has been playing with a guard on his hand since dislocating his finger in the lead-up to the Round 3 loss to Port Adelaide.

Salem came off the MCG early in the loss to Brisbane and had scans on his right hamstring on Friday, confirming a serious hamstring strain.

Christian Salem leaves the field with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty Images

“This is unfortunate for Christian, who is such an important player in our team”, Richardson said.

“Christian has had his fair share of injury battles, so while this is another frustrating setback for him, we know he will attack his rehab with the utmost professionalism.

“He is as resilient as they come.”

Salem’s loss only highlights the retirement of Angus Brayshaw, who was medically retired by the AFL and could have played midfield or defence this season.

He fell over in a marking contest and hobbled off the ground in the opening minutes of the loss.

Salem had battled hamstring issues on both legs in 2015 and 2017 but had avoided those soft-tissue concerns until last week.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin could turn to playmaker Bailey Laurie to help fill the void as Jake Bowey recovers from a shoulder injury and Lachie Hunter attempts to build his fitness after a long layoff with a calf problem.

It is unclear whether Hunter will be able to re-enter the selection mix after an interrupted summer.

The Demons, who are 4-2 to start the season, are entering one of the toughest phases of their 2024 fixture, with games against Richmond, Geelong and Carlton following next weekend’s bye.

Players have been given four days off.