Barometer: AFL injury list, selection analysis ahead of Round 10
SUPERCOACHES will get some relief with Suns pair Gary Ablett and Aaron Hall and Dockers veteran Michael Barlow set to return. LATEST INJURY NEWS AT YOUR CLUB
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GOLD Coast captain Gary Ablett is a definite starter for the trip west while the Suns are confident Aaron Hall will pass a fitness test on his injured shoulder.
“Gaz is back, which is great. He pulled up really well Monday (and) is training today. Looks likely he’ll be fine and fit to train again Thursday ready for Sunday’s game,” football manager Marcus Ashcroft said on the club’s website on Tuesday.
“(Hall) hurt his shoulder last weekend and again pulled up really well on Monday. He’s training again today and will look likely to train Thursday ready for the weekend’s game.”
Who’s hot and who’s hurt at your club? Our experts look at every club’s playing stocks after Round 9 as well as their predictions for the upcoming weekend
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon told Perth media Michael Barlow will be recalled after the veteran racked up 39 and 44 disposals in the WAFL in the past two weeks.
But forward Matthew Pavlich could be rested against St Kilda because of Etihad Stadium’s hard surface, and captain David Mundy is likely to miss with a calf complaint.
North Melbourne expects star Daniel Wells to return for Friday night’s season-defining clash against Sydney.
Wells missed last week’s win over Carlton with achilles soreness after sitting out the previous week with a corked quad.
The 31-year-old trained lightly at the club but North football manager Geoff Walsh said Wells just had to get through Wednesday’s main training session to play against the Swans.
The match against the Swans is seen as a test of North Melbourne’s premiership credentials.
“We’ve got a six-day turnaround, so there won’t be a hell of a lot of time on the training track, but tomorrow will be our main session and the report was we expect Daniel to train fully, so that’s good news,” Walsh told SEN radio on Tuesday.
“If he gets through training, that’s what we’re looking for, then he’ll play.”
Tagger Ben Jacobs will miss up to 10 weeks with surgery needed to repair a stress fracture in his foot.
Meanwhile, Western defender Matthew Suckling is a likely starter against Collingwood on Sunday.
Suckling has been sidelined since hobbling off with an ankle injury Round 5, but Dogs coach Luke Beveridge is confident the recruit will prove his fitness.
The Bulldogs will also be boosted Matthew Boyd and Jack Redpath’s return from suspension, but forward Tom Boyd is at least another fortnight away.
ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Matt Crouch (soreness) test
Curtly Hampton (foot) 3 weeks
Alex Keath (knee soreness) test
Jake Kelly (Hand) test
Riley Knight (ankle) test
Rory Laird (toe) test
David Mackay (hamstring) 3 weeks
Sam Shaw (concussion) test
MATCH REPORT: CROWS CRUISE OVER INJURY-HIT SUNS
ON THE BLOCK: Former captain Nathan van Berlo didn’t do much wrong in his first game back into the senior side since Round 1 – but nor did he play the type of jaw-dropping game which had a lot to do with him becoming the club captain. He provides leadership and is an important mentor for the younger players, but he looks like he will remain one of those players who spend time both in the seniors and the reserves this season.
ON THE CUSP: Both of the Crouch brothers, Matt (general soreness) and Brad (still finding form) have a case when match committee sits down this week for the Crows’ match against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Rory Laird, one of the club’s most important players, is also on the brink of returning.
JESPER FJELDSTAD’S FORECAST: Adelaide is slowly building again, even though the Suns were so wracked by injury it was difficult to say how much the Crows had lifted from its previous fortnight’s losses. But morale is up again, some of the out-of-form players such as Richard Douglas and Paul Seedsman were influential again, captain Taylor Walker is kicking goals and there’s a spring in the step of the Crows. GWS at home is the ideal test to find out where Adelaide sits in the greater scheme of things, because the youngest club is a step up from the Gold Coast.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURIES
Dayne Beams (knee) indefinite
Tom Rockliff (hamstring) test
Harris Andrews (foot) test
Hugh Beasley (back) 2 weeks
Michael Close (wrist and foot) 2 weeks
Tom Cutler (shoulder) test
Cian Hanley (groin) indefinite
Jaden McGrath (foot) indefinite
Sam Skinner (knee) 4 weeks
Rohan Bewick (groin) test
MATCH REPORT: DEMONS BRUSH PAST HAPLESS LIONS
ON THE BLOCK: No injuries to report from the loss to the Demons but Nick Robertson is the likely fall guy for Rohan Bewick. He had 13 touches against Melbourne and did not demand to be picked again. A running defender will have to make way for Tom Cutler. Sam Mayes has been better the past two weeks so Ryan Harwood might face the axe after a number of errors against the Dees.
ON THE CUSP: Tom Rockliff is an outside chance to make his comeback from a hamstring but is more likely the week after. Jarrad Jansen was the travelling emergency and is close to his first senior game. Rohan Bewick (groin) and Tom Cutler (shoulder) should come back next week.
GREG DAVIS’ FORECAST: Trouble. The Lions host Hawthorn at the Gabba this Saturday afternoon and the Hawks will be hurting after falling to Sydney. What could possibly go wrong? Apart from the horror show against Collingwood, Brisbane have been reasonable at home in 2016. They have a six-day break after travelling so there will be precious little time to prepare for the Hawks. Defence and contested possession will be the focus.
CARLTON
INJURIES
Levi Casboult (broken leg) 5-7 weeks
Matthew Kreuzer (knee) 2-3 weeks
Charlie Curnow (glandular fever) TBC
Harry McKay (back) 3 weeks
Andrew Phillips (hamstring) 1 week
MATCH REPORT: NORTH WIN SEALS BEST EVER START
ON THE BLOCK: Hard to judge the game of former Sun Daniel Gorringe in his Blues debut given the dominant opposition he had in All-Australian ruck star Todd Goldstein. But the Blues will have to sort the tapwork situation out given Matthew Kreuzer will be missing for the next month. Simon White the likely one to make way for Michael Jamison’s return, but the decision is made much more difficult given his performance on Saturday. Tough calls for Bolton and co. this week.
ON THE CUSP: Former Giant Kristian Jaksch made a push for his long-awaited Carlton return with four goals in the VFL and was named among the best players. Son of SOS Jack Silvagni chipped in with three of his own. Michael Jamison is expected to return after missing Round 9 due to illness.
LAUREN WOOD’S FORECAST: The Blues might not have been able to continue their winning run, but things don’t get any easier this weekend. Geelong awaits – and a smarting Geelong, at that, after the Cats fell to Collingwood. Coach Brendon Bolton knows it’s a big ask, but wants to see a lot more consistency than what the side showed on Saturday night. Any lapse and the Cats will pounce.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURIES
Tim Broomhead (ankle) 2 weeks
Nathan Brown (hamstring) test
Jamie Elliott (back) indefinite
Corey Gault (concussion) test
Tom Langdon (ankle) test
Jackson Ramsay (knee) season
Matt Scharenberg (knee) season
Dane Swan (broken leg/foot) indefinite
MATCH REPORT: MAGPIES BLITZ HUMBLES CATS
ON THE BLOCK: Hard to see too many changes to the Collingwood side that dismantled premiership favourites Geelong on Saturday. It was a first-class performance. Particularly pleasing for Nathan Buckley was the form of Jeremy Howe in defence, Jesse White in attack, the ruck grunt of Brodie Grundy and the continued development of Mason Cox.
ON THE CUSP: More good news on this front. Out of favour forward Travis Cloke had his best performance in the VFL yet he will still miss out next week. But at least he is building back to some form. The Pies’ VFL side had a solid win and at last it appears as if the injury crisis has dissipated. A host of VFL players will be looked at over the next month or so.
GLENN McFARLANE’S FORECAST: Blue skies make a big difference to the tempest that has preceded it. As the coach said, it all comes back to work ethic and attitude, and that will be tested again this week against the Western Bulldogs. If the Magpies can bring that blue-collar attitude, they are a chance of causing another upset. It won’t be easy, but nothing of value ever is.
ESSENDON
INJURIES
Courtenay Dempsey (hamstring) TBC
Nathan Grima (hip) TBC
Jayden Laverde (shoulder) 5-6 weeks
Mathew Stokes (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Jonathan Simpkin (hamstring) 9 weeks
MATCH REPORT: SAINTS UNLEASH THREE-HEADED MONSTER
ON THE BLOCK: Draftee Mason Redman and Irishman Conor McKenna were hardly sighted against the Saints and could be sent back to the VFL to find touch. Top-up player James Polkinghorne is only just going while with so many kids getting minutes pumped into them, the “managed” selection is always a chance.
ON THE CUSP: The baby-faced Will Hams must be a chance to rise into the squad after 38 disposals in a quality VFL game against Footscray. Indigenous livewire Shaun Edwards collected 29 disposals to press his claims for the Dreamtime clash against Richmond while Jackson Merrett and Ryan Crowley remain on the fringe. No.6 draft pick Aaron Francis collected 11 disposals and improved late in his first game for the season.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S FORECAST: The Bombers are playing relatively competitive footy as they hit another stretch of prime-time matches. The Richmond blockbuster looks a much tougher ask suddenly after consecutive Tiger wins and after that it’s Fremantle (Subiaco) on a Saturday night and the Hawks on a Friday night. That Dockers game is suddenly huge in the race for this year’s spoon – and coveted No.1 pick – while the impending run on AFL Broadway will give the wider footy community the chance to appreciate just how damn exciting Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is, as well as the career-best form of discarded Tiger Matt Dea. Tippa is a star and would remain a lock in the best 22 if the 12 suspended blokes came back this week.
FREMANTLE
INJURIES
David Mundy (calf) test
Alex Pearce (tibia) season
Zac Dawson (report) TBC
Stephen Hill (adductor) test
Harley Balic (wrist) TBC
Harley Bennell (calf) season
Nat Fyfe (fractured leg) season
Sean Hurley (hip) 5 weeks
Michael Johnson (knee/hamstring) indefinite
Anthony Morabito (hamstring) 1 week
Aaron Sandilands (ribs) 2 weeks
Alex Silvagni (calf) 1 week
Shane Yarran (calf) test
MATCH REPORT: TIGERS EASE PAST GLOOMY DOCKERS
ON THE BLOCK: Fremantle’s injury curse continues, with Alex Pearce the latest casualty with a broken tibia. Pearce had surgery on Monday and can’t put any weight on his leg for six weeks. “After that six-week period, we will be better placed to provide a timeframe for Alex’s return but he will miss the rest of the season,” football manager Chris Bond said. And the side’s backline could further be weakened after Zac Dawson was reported for striking Richmond’s Steve Morris in a clumsy incident. Throw in the long-term absence of Michael Johnson and the Dockers’ defensive stocks are looking thin.
ON THE CUSP: Stephen Hill (adductor) failed to prove his fitness for the clash with the Tigers, but is likely to press for a recall against St Kilda. Michael Barlow is doing all he can to put his name in the forefront of selectors’ minds following a strong fortnight for Peel at WAFL level, including a whopping stat line of 44 touches, 13 tackles, seven inside 50s and three goals at the weekend. Cam Sutcliffe had 25 disposals for Peel in the same game.
CHRIS ROBINSON’S FORECAST: Ross Lyon’s self-described “Annus Horribilis” rolls on, with the mounting injury toll failing to provide optimism that a strong of wins lie just around the corner. The improving Saints at Etihad Stadium will be a significant test as the Dockers look to prevent their 2016 losing streak from reaching double digits.
GOLD COAST
INJURIES
Gary Ablett (concussion) available
Aaron Hall (shoulder) test
Darcy MacPherson (knee) TBC
Callum Ah Chee (concussion) TBC
Brayden Fiorini(knee) 7 weeks
Mitch Hallahan (foot) 2-3 weeks
Trent McKenzie (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Touk Miller (ankle) test
Jaeger O’Meara (knee) indefinite
Matt Rosa (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Adam Saad (hamstring) 3 weeks
Alex Sexton (arm) 2-3 weeks
Danny Stanley (hamstring) 3 weeks
David Swallow (PCL) indefinite
MATCH REPORT: CROWS CRUISE OVER INJURY-HIT SUNS
ON THE BLOCK: Another week, more injuries for the Suns. Darcy MacPherson will have scans this week to determine the extent of a PCL injury he suffered in the second quarter against Adelaide. Callum Ah Chee sat out the game after copping a high knock in the third quarter. Nearly everyone is out of form but can Rocket afford to drop anyone?
ON THE CUSP: A couple of decent names in Ablett and Hall. Both could return for the trip to Perth to face West Coast. Steven May will return after serving his five-match suspension for knocking out Lion Stefan Martin. The Suns’ NEAFL side lost to Redland by 14 goals with Tom Nicholls, Clay Cameron and Jarrod Garlett named in the best.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: How do you judge a team with an injury list like this? Outspoken chairman Tony Cochrane passionately defended Rodney Eade on Saturday (and gave former coach Guy McKenna a decent clip along the way), pointing out he had never coached Jaeger O’Meara and had Ablett, Andrew Swallow and Dion Prestia together just twice. But the ugly facts are the Suns have lost four in a row by more than 70 points and play the Eagles in Perth next week. Oh dear.
GWS GIANTS
INJURIES
Phil Davis (hamstring) test
Matt Buntine (concussion) test
Nick Haynes (concussion) test
Tim Mohr (hamstring) 5-6 weeks
Will Hoskin-Elliott (quad) test
Aiden Corr (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Ryan Griffen (back) 2 weeks
Jake Barrett (hip) 1-2 weeks
Caleb Marchbank (ankle) 4-6 weeks
Devon Smith (knee) 7-9 weeks
James Stewart (leg) 1 week
Jarrod Pickett (foot) season
Paul Ahern (knee) season
MATCH REPORT: SNOWBALLING GIANTS ROLL OVER BULLDOGS
ON THE BLOCK: Luckless defender Mohr is set for some more time on the sidelines and Matt Buntine didn’t return after copping a high bump in the first quarter. Rhys Palmer was quiet but there aren’t many form issues for the all-conquering Giants. Jonathan Patton played down back and took nine marks.
ON THE CUSP: Adam Tomlinson surely gets a crack this week after 52 disposals in the NEAFL. Phil Davis could be back if he passes a fitness test, Jack Steele also starred in the NEAFL win against Brisbane and academy product Matthew Kennedy (three goals) must be close to an AFL debut.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: The Giants look irresistible at the moment but they face three very testing weeks - the Crows in Adelaide, Geelong at Simonds Stadium and a cross-town derby against the Swans. If they can win one of those three they will stay in top-four discussions, win two and they’ll be hard to dislodge. Win three and Eddie McGuire will be on the next flight out of the country.
GEELONG
INJURIES
Tom Lonergan (concussion) test
Mitch Clark (calf) 2 weeks
Nakia Cockatoo (calf) 5 weeks
Jordan Cunico (knee) TBC
Cam Delaney (knee) TBC
Lincoln McCarthy (hip) test
Sam Menegola (knee) test
Tom Read (knee) 2 weeks
Scott Selwood (foot) 3 weeks
Jackson Thurlow (knee) season
Jake Kolodjashnij (broken hand) 1-2 weeks
MATCH REPORT: MAGPIES BLITZ HUMBLES CATS
ON THE BLOCK: Tom Ruggles, who was a late replacement for Tom Lonergan (concussion) in Geelong’s selected side, didn’t have a great game and would be an obvious candidate for the axe if full back Lonergan returns for Sunday’s clash with Carlton. Tall forward Rhys Stanley (one goal) had little impact and his decision-making skills with ball in hand were questionable. George Horlin-Smith was another struggler.
ON THE CUSP: Tom Lonergan was a late withdrawal with concussion and should come straight back in, while Lincoln McCarthy must be close to overcoming a hip injury. Billie Smedts starred in the VFL with 25 disposals. The other player player to catch the eye was Irishman Padraig Lucey, who booted three goals playing in the ruck.
GREG BUCKLE’S FORECAST: Geelong coach Chris Scott is determined to find a way to fix his side’s goal-kicking yips, which hit a low point in the loss to Collingwood when Jimmy Bartel and Patrick Dangerfield missed a pair of sitters. We are unlikely to see a repeat of Geelong’s goalless opening term this weekend. Tom Hawkins booted four second-half goals against Collingwood and could be set for a big bag this week.
HAWTHORN
INJURIES
Jarryd Roughead (melanoma) indefinite
Ryan Burton (leg) indefinite
Luke Hodge (knee) 3 weeks
Zac Webster (hamstring) test
Alex Woodward (knee) 3 weeks
MATCH REPORT: HAWKS CAN’T ESCAPE BUDDY, SWANS
ON THE BLOCK: Key position youngsters Kaiden Brand, Tim O’Brien and James Sicily haven’t cemented their spots in the team, the latter two needing to put more goals on the board. But despite a disappointing loss caused partly by poor finishing in front of goal, coach Alastair Clarkson can be expected to keep faith in his current line-up who have delivered a 6-3 start after nine rounds.
ON THE CUSP: Matt Spangher has now played four solid games in the VFL. Jono O’Rourke, Brendan Whitecross, Angus Litherland and Teia Miles were the standouts in Box Hill’s six-point loss to Casey Scorpions in the VFL, while Ryan Schoenmakers also returned from injury.
GREG BUCKLE’S FORECAST: Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Cyril Rioli are some of the stars who struggled in the 14-point loss to Sydney but the Hawks should have little trouble accounting for Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday and they can all be expected to have a big day out.
MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Angus Brayshaw (concussion) indefinite
Clayton Oliver (corked thigh) test
Cam Pedersen (illness) test
Dom Tyson (illness) test
Jay Kennedy-Harris (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Mitch King (knee) season
Heritier Lumumba (concussion) test
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) 2 weeks
MATCH REPORT: DEMONS BRUSH PAST HAPLESS LIONS
ON THE BLOCK: Paul Roos says tiredness more than anything else might see him make changes against Port Adelaide. Clayton Oliver was sore with a corked thigh but battled on against Brisbane, while Cam Pedersen (ill), Dom Tyson (flu) and Neville Jetta (suspension) all missed. It’s hard to know who might need that rest, but given a six-day break before the Adelaide game, Roos says three or four changes are a certainty. Billy Stretch, Alex Neal-Bullen, James Harmes, Viv Michie and late inclusion Ben Newton were all solid against the Lions.
ON THE CUSP: So many options are available for Roos, who has Jack Trengove finally ready to put his hand up for AFL selection after getting a solid chunk of VFL under his belt after navicular issues. He had 25 touches in another solid outing. Christian Salem, dropped this week, put his hand up for 28 touches off half back. Jack Grimes will be considered too after 34 possessions, while Chris Dawes has now played three games after calf issues. He kicked three goals but with Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts again solid might have to keep banging down the door.
JON RALPH’S FORECAST: What’s not to like about the Demons, who take on Port Adelaide in Alice Springs with a 5-4 win-loss record for the season, and with the Power likely to be missing several key players. Tom Jones will be suspended, Robbie Gray will probably miss a week after his third low-level incident for the year, and Hamish Hartlett will be sore after a corked thigh. It means they are ripe for the picking, especially given their ruck situation. Max Gawn was quiet around the ground for the second straight week but has a great match-up against Jackson Trengove.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Mason Wood (concussion) test
Jed Anderson (hamstring) 2 weeks
Taylor Garner (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Mitchell Hibberd (knee) 1-2 weeks
Shaun Higgins (knee) 10 weeks
Lachie Hansen (concussion) test
Kayne Turner (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Daniel Wells (leg) test
Sam Wright (ankle) test
Ben Jacobs (foot) 8-10 weeks
MATCH REPORT: NORTH WIN SEALS BEST EVER START
ON THE BLOCK: Hard to fault a side that’s 9-0 and on the march into its toughest block of games. Kangaroos coach Brad Scott lauded the efforts of Trent Dumont and Farren Ray in their first appearances for the year and at the club respectively, and both should stay in after their showing against the Blues. Problem is, if Wells returns, someone has to make way for him. Could be Robin Nahas.
ON THE CUSP: Brad Scott wasn’t keen to dub it a sure thing after defeating Carlton, but the club is hopeful that Daniel Wells will return this week from an Achilles issue.
LAUREN WOOD’S FORECAST: There’s a view held by many that the Kangaroos’ credentials haven’t really been proven. Enter Sydney. North Melbourne might be undefeated and sitting pretty atop the AFL ladder, but there’s still doubters. And they can be swiftly put to bed should the side manage to topple another premiership hopeful at the SCG on Friday night. If Todd Goldstein can replicate his across-the-board domination as seen on Saturday evening, there’s a very big chance of exactly that happening.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Tom Jonas (report) TBC
Robbie Gray (report) TBC
Hamish Hartlett (shoulder/quad) TBC
Darcy Byrne-Jones (ankle) TBC
Billy Frampton (ankle) 2 weeks
Aidyn Johnson (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Matthew Lobbe (knee) 10 weeks
Jay Schulz (back) indefinite
Will Snelling (foot) indefinite
Matt White (pectoral) indefinite
MATCH REPORT: EAGLES FINALLY FIND JOY ON THE ROAD
ON THE BLOCK: Where do we start with Port Adelaide’s potential problems this week? Defender Tom Jonas is certain to get a lengthy suspension for his hit on Andrew Gaff on Saturday while Robbie Gray would be nervous about his report for tripping. Hamish Hartlett was banged up in the loss to the Eagles hurting his shoulder and quad while pacy young defender Darcy Byrne-Jones hobbled off late in the game with an ankle injury and may also miss this week’s clash with Melbourne.
ON THE CUSP: Jonas’ impending suspension is likely to pave the way for Alipate Carlile to return to the side given he has now played two games in the SANFL since recovering from a broken wrist. Midfielder Sam Gray (32 disposals and eight clearances) and Jimmy Toumpas (28 disposals and two goals) also did their best to push for a recall with strong games in the reserves.
REECE HOMFRAY’S FORECAST: The Power is again under pressure and won’t exactly be brimming with confidence heading to Alice Springs to face a resurgent Melbourne this weekend. You’d expect Carlile to come for Jonas and Toumpas for Byrne-Jones if he doesn’t get up, with Toumpas to face his old side for the first time. The game is a genuine 50-50 and the Dees will be favourites if Gray and Hartlett are missing.
RICHMOND
INJURIES
Ty Vickery (report) TBC
Steve Morris (concussion) test
Nathan Drummond (knee) test
Todd Elton (foot) TBC
Bachar Houli (wrist) 7-9 weeks
Kane Lambert (rib/lung) test
Kamdyn McIntosh (ankle) 11 weeks
Chris Yarran (foot) TBC
MATCH REPORT: TIGERS EASE PAST GLOOMY DOCKERS
ON THE BLOCK: Ty Vickery could find himself in hot water after he was reported for striking Nick Suban in another forgettable trip to Subiaco Oval for the big Tiger. Youngster Jayden Short had little influence against Fremantle with just five touches and could be squeezed out of the senior side for Saturday’s clash with Essendon.
ON THE CUSP: Corey Ellis is a near-certainty to return after missing the win over the Dockers with soreness. Ellis had put together a strong three weeks of form up until his rest and could be used to provide drive out of defence in the absence of Bachar Houli. Daniel Rioli is likely to return after a brief personal stint away from the club.
CHRIS ROBINSON’S FORECAST: Richmond enters Saturday night’s Dreamtime at the ‘G clash with a full head of steam following wins over two of last season’s top-four sides. A victory would vault the Tigers back to 4-6 for the year and fuel hopes of another finals berth.
ST KILDA
INJURIES
Nil
MATCH REPORT: SAINTS UNLEASH THREE-HEADED MONSTER
ON THE BLOCK: An impressive all-round performance by the Saints might not require much tinkering. Defender Dylan Roberton looked a bit scratchy as he acclimatises back into senior football while youngsters Jade Gresham and Jimmy Webster didn’t see a lot of the ball. Daniel McKenzie had 20 pressure acts in his return which will please the coaching panel.
ON THE CUSP: Blake Acres responded to his axing by having 36 possessions for Sandringham while Jack Lonie also responded to his demotion, kicking three last-quarter goals - he finished with four and 28 touches - in the Zebras’ victory over Werribee. Fellow goalsneak Eli Templeton continued to play well at VFL level with one goal and 30 disposals.
SCOTT GULLAN’S FORECAST: With the three-headed monster forward structure of Paddy McCartin, Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey now clicking, there’s not a lot of need for tinkering required for the Saints, who will start favourites against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
SYDNEY
INJURIES
Ted Richards (concussion) test
Jordan Dawson (calf) test
Alex Johnson (knee) indefinite
Daniel Robinson (shoulder) 10 weeks
Michael Talia (foot) 1-2 weeks
MATCH REPORT: BUDDY MAGIC FINISH STEALS THE SHOW
ON THE CUSP: Sam Reid will play his first game of the year in the NEAFL this week after struggling with hamstring and calf injuries. Reid hasn’t played since the qualifying final loss to Fremantle last year after he tore his hamstring in that game. Like McVeigh, McGlynn and Rohan he has taken the long and conservative road to recovery so should be ready for senior action soon. Aliir Aliir looks the likely replacement for Ted Richards who is set to miss after suffering another concussion.
ON THE BLOCK: The forced resting of Ted Richards looks like the only change for John Longmire’s men with Aliir set to play the second game of his career after making his debut in Round 6 against Brisbane. Richards’ head knocks are becoming a worry. He was playing in only his second game back after fracturing his eye socket against West Coast in Round 5. He also suffered a nasty concussion when knocked out in a sling tackle from Port’s Jay Schulz in Round 14 last year.
NEIL CORDY’S FORECAST: The Swans will take a load of confidence into Friday night’s clash at the SCG against North Melbourne for the opening to Indigenous Round. The win over Hawthorn at the MCG was their most impressive this year and only the third win against the Hawks in the last 11 matches. The Swans are very close to full strength with Reid, Richards and Tom Papley the only players with a chance of forcing their way back into the team.
WEST COAST
INJURIES
Mitch Brown (finger) 1-2 weeks
Dom Sheed (pectoral) 1-2 weeks
Alec Waterman (illness) indefinite
Andrew Gaff (concussion) TBC
MATCH REPORT: EAGLES FINALLY FIND JOY ON THE ROAD
ON THE BLOCK: Andrew Gaff is still seeing stars after being collected by Tom Jonas while Mark Hutchings and Scott Lycett will be feeling sore at recovery on Monday. Liam Duggan had a quiet game, Jack Darling gave away five free kicks and Jeremy McGovern had one of his cold weeks.
ON THE CUSP: Hard to get a read on form from East Perth’s WAFL game, with the Royals kicking just three goals in a deluge. Tom Barrass had 22 disposals but Lewis Jetta (13 touches) wasn’t named in the best.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Eagles fans won’t like it but that win doesn’t entirely put to rest the travel queries after West Coast held off a fast finish from mid-table Port Adelaide. Josh Kennedy showed he can fire away from Subiaco but where was Mack LeCras? A fixture at home against Gold Coast this week doesn’t offer much opportunity to silence the doubters but it should provide a good percentage boost.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURIES
Lin Jong (report) 2 weeks
Marcus Adams (finger) test
Tom Boyd (shoulder) 2 weeks
Matthew Suckling (ankle) available
Zaine Cordy (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Jason Johannison (hamstring) 5 weeks
Rourke Smith (knee) indefinite
Clay Smith (knee) indefinite
Robert Murphy (knee) season
Josh Prudden (knee) season
MATCH REPORT: SNOWBALLING GIANTS ROLL OVER BULLDOGS
ON THE BLOCK: Lin Jong can expect a holiday after his front-on bump on Matt Buntine. Toby McLean, Bailey Williams and Caleb Daniel might all be feeling nervous this week.
ON THE CUSP: Matthew Boyd will be a welcome inclusion after serving his one-game suspension and Jack Redpath is also available. Marcus Adams will return after two weeks out following surgery on a fractured finger provided he gets through training and Matthew Suckling is also a strong chance. Josh Dunkley might get another crack after 29 disposals in the VFL, while Nathan Hrovat had 19 touches in his return from an ankle injury. Clay and Rourke Smith are a fair way off senior footy but both have returned to training after serious knee injuries.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: The Dogs’ depth has been impressive this season but you can only cover so many outs without feeling the pinch, which they certainly did at Spotless Stadium. Sitting fifth, the Bulldogs have a chance to set up their season in the next month with games against Collingwood, West Coast, Port Adelaide and Geelong leading into a Round 14 bye. Are they a genuine top-four chance or battling West Coast and Hawthorn for the right to host a home elimination final?
AFL TIPS: Crows favoured to make it six straight
The Advertiser/Sunday Mail football experts have tipped Adelaide to stretch its winning streak to six straight, in Round 8 against Port Adelaide in Showdown 44.
Experts favour Power to shock Geelong
The Advertiser/Sunday Mail football tipsters believe Port Adelaide can bounce back from its loss to the Bombers and topple the Cats at Adelaide Oval.