Clubs fume at AFL’s SSP deadline in wake of pre-season injuries

Two season-ending injuries occurred in the AFL’s pre-season clashes on Saturday, however, the SSP deadline closed on Friday. The results have left clubs fuming at the AFL. Have your say.

Angry clubs will lobby the AFL to re-open the supplemental selection period window this week after two clubs lost players to serious knee injuries.

Carlton and Melbourne could be left short on its list by one player until the mid-season draft after losing players to ACL injuries on Saturday.

The Blues lost Jagga Smith and Melbourne’s Andy Moniz-Wakefield both went down with season-ending ACL injuries.

But the clubs cannot replace them under the AFL’s rules unless the league makes a call on Monday to extend the window this week.

Jagga Smith will miss the 2025 season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Strangely, the SSP deadline was late Friday before the North Melbourne versus Melbourne and Carlton versus St Kilda clash on Saturday.

The Herald Sun can reveal club officials are lobbying the league to re-open the SSP window in the firm belief Friday’s deadline put the clubs who played the Saturday matches at a distinct disadvantage.

Melbourne and Carlton could both add players this week if the AFL re-opens the window until 5pm Monday.

The two clubs would have to wait until the mid-season draft to replace the two injured players if the league does not extend the SSP deadline.

Melbourne has midfielder Jai Culley waiting in the wings.

Melbourne confirmed on Sunday defender Moniz-Wakefield would miss the rest of the season after a triple knee blow.

Another defender, Marty Hore, is also out for an extended period after fracturing his hand.

The twin injuries deplete the club’s defensive stocks.

Andy Moniz-Wakefield of the Demons is helped off the ground by trainers after injuring himself late in the game . Picture: Michael Klein

Football boss Alan Richardson said Moniz-Wakefield hurt his anterior, posterior and medial ligaments in the incident on Saturday as part of a horrific knee injury.

“This is incredibly disappointing news for Andy, who has had a really strong pre-season,” Richardson said.

“We have been so impressed by his attitude and will to get better, and he was starting to reap the rewards of his hard work.

“Andy will undergo surgery in the near future, before beginning to work through his recovery.

“As a club, we will wrap our arms around him and make sure he is well-supported.

“Despite being on the sidelines, we know Andy will still play an important role for us this season, particularly with the positive energy he brings to the club every single day.”

Hore will meet with a surgeon this week after fracturing his hand early in the clash against the Kangaroos.

“It’s another unfortunate outcome from Saturday’s game, with Marty needing to undergo surgery on his hand,” Richardson said.

“Once Marty has met with the surgeon, we will have a better understanding of what his recovery timelines will look like.”