All the latest AFL injury news from around the competition
Harry McKay is set for surgery after his troublesome knee injury, giving Carlton’s finals hopes a big blow – while a small forward will miss the rest of the season. Plus, the latest on Jason Horne-Francis.
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Carlton’s chances of fighting into finals contention have been dealt a blow with Harry McKay to miss at least a month as he heads for knee surgery.
Fellow forward Matt Cottrell will also have surgery and miss the rest of the season due to a navicular stress fracture in his foot.
In better news for the Blues, Charlie Curnow is still in the running to play North Melbourne on Saturday after feeling calf tightness during a win over West Coast last week.
The Blues will have to remake their forwardline with youngster Hudson O’Keeffe to miss four weeks due to a low-grade hamstring injury.
McKay will have an arthroscope on his knee after visiting a specialist, having missed the last two matches due to knee soreness.
“While a minor procedure isn’t ideal for Harry, it gives him the best opportunity to return to play in the back end of the season,” Blues footy boss Brad Lloyd said.
Carlton’s finals hopes were already teetering, with midfielder Sam Walsh (foot) out for at least the next five weeks, with the Blues likely needing to win at least seven of their final 10 games of the season to make the eight.
Cottrell missed each of the last six of Carlton’s games after injuries limited him to 14 appearances last year.
Carlton could still yet regain rebounding defender Nic Newman before the end of the year.
The backman has not played since injuring his knee in the pre-season but will return to full training this week and be put through a month-long block of work before putting his hand up for selection.
BROWNLOW MEDALLIST TO MISS WEEKS, HORNET FIT AND FIRING
Port Adelaide star Jason Horne-Francis will be available to take on Sydney this weekend, key defender Aliir Aliir will be in the mix, but Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines won’t take on the Swans with a knee injury.
The Power has received varying news on its injuries from its win over Melbourne on Sunday at Adelaide Oval.
The good is that Horne-Francis is going to be available to take on last year’s grand finalists after he sprained his shoulder against the Demons.
Scans cleared it of any structural damage and he took part in light training on Tuesday.
Aliir was subbed out of the game after a knee knock and scans have revealed he has suffered a medial ligament sprain.
He was briefly on the track at Alberton but will be assessed throughout the week as he races the clock to take on his former side.
While it was good news for those two the Power suffered an unwanted surprise with Wines to miss up to two weeks with a medial knee injury.
Wines managed to play out the game after suffering the injury but scans have revealed that he needs to miss at least the clash against the Swans.
Defender Lachie Jones is listed as a test for this weekend, while key forward Jack Lukosius is two to three weeks away from making his long awaited return to action.
Lukosius hurt his knee in Round 2 against Richmond but has been dealing with a back issue in recent weeks.
GWS DEALT MASSIVE BLOW
The Giants’ hopes of pushing for the top four have been handed a massive blow with All-Australian defender Sam Taylor set to miss at least the next month with a broken toe.
Taylor suffered the injury in the Giants’ dramatic win over the Lions, but played through the pain to play his role in the victory. The 26-year-old again led the Giants for intercept possessions with eight, while also registering six score involvements and six spoils.
It’s not the first time the GWS star has played on despite suffering an injury, playing through a ruptured testicle in last year’s win over Port Adelaide at home.
Taylor is now set to spend a fortnight in a moon boot before recommencing his rehabilitation program.
It’s yet another injury for Adam Kingsley to deal with, as Brent Daniels is also set to be sidelined after suffering a recurrence of his abdominal issue after a heavy collision. Daniels has missed two months already this season, with his return date not known as he prepares to consult with specialists.
In better news, skipper Toby Greene is primed to return for Sunday’s clash against Gold Coast after missing the win over Brisbane with a cork in his glute. Jake Stringer could also make his first appearance since a hamstring strain against Geelong in round nine.
Vice-captain Stephen Coniglio is targeting a return to the team after the bye following strong progress with the nerve issue in his back and glute. Kieren Briggs also continues to eye off GWS’ clash against West Coast in round 17 for his comeback.
KING TO CONSULT SPECIALISTS
Luckless St Kilda forward Max King will consult with further medical specialists amid his “frustrating” ongoing knee concern.
The two-time Saints leading goalkicker has undergone further scans on his troublesome knee that has flared again in the wake of a second arthroscopic surgery this year.
The club said on Tuesday evening that it would canvass a raft of experts before any decision on a path forward for King would be mapped.
“It’s a very frustrating situation for Max, who has done everything possible to put his body in the best position to play this year,” head of football David Misson said.
“Our priority is Max’s long-term health and setting him up for a successful career here at the Saints, not rushing him back before he’s ready.
“Max and our medical team are currently obtaining additional expert opinions, which will help us make the most informed decisions heading into the back half of the season.
“Once we consolidate this information, we’ll be best placed to make a decision on what the next couple of months look like for Max.”
Mattaes Phillipou is in line to return this weekend against Collingwood after missing last week’s loss to the Bulldogs after rupturing his plantaris tendon.
While coach Ross Lyon said Fox Footy on Monday night that first round draftee Alix Tauru will ”more than likely” make his AFL debut after battling injury and suspension in recent months, having notched 16 disposals and 12 marks in the VFL last weekend.
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