The Barometer: AFL injury list, selection analysis ahead of Round 3
RICHMOND could regain three key players, while Collingwood champion Dane Swan to have surgery on Wednesday. INJURY NEWS AT YOUR CLUB
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WHO’S hurt and who’s in line for selection at your club for Round 3? See the latest injury list and predictions from the Herald Sun footy experts.
ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Curtly Hampton (foot) 6 weeks
ON THE CUSP: The Crows made it two Showdown wins on one weekend with a 26-point win against the Port Magpies in the SANFL. Mitch Grigg (29 disposals), Jarryd Lyons (26) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen (25) all got plenty of the ball with Nathan Van Berlo and Andy Otten controlled the half-back line.
ON THE BLOCK: Any player dropped from the team that dismantled Port Adelaide would definitely consider themselves hard done by. It was a complete performance from the Crows. Hard to see Don Pyke tinkering with the line-up.
MICHELANGELO RUCCI’S FORECAST: Pyke’s vision of “total team football” has emerged — and perhaps even quicker than he could have expected after Crows chalked up record score against the Power on Saturday and showed impressive work in not only defending but rebounding from defence. The Crows also are showing eagerness to play corridor football that will make them difficult to counter on the fast deck at the Docklands.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURIES
Tom Rockliff (calf) test
Daniel Rich (hamstring) test
Dayne Beams (knee) indefinite
Justin Clarke (concussion) retired
Rhys Mathieson (cheekbone) 4 weeks
Mitch Robinson (calf) test
ON THE BLOCK: Tom Rockliff (calf) and Daniel Rich (hamstring) will both be sent for scans on Monday after being sore and sorry at Lions recovery on Sunday. Rockliff had a painkilling injection in his calf and both he and Rich are considered “touch and go’’ for the Round 3 assignment against Geelong. An eight-day break will help their cause but Brisbane officials are not overly confident.
ON THE CUSP: Mitch Robinson is a strong chance to return after missing on Saturday night with a calf injury. Jaden McGrath kicked three goals in the NEAFL loss to Sydney while first-year midfielder Ben Keays racked up 39 disposals in the reserves.
GREG DAVIS’S FORECAST: It doesn’t get any brighter for Brisbane with their brutal fixture taking the Lions to Geelong for a clash with the Cats this Sunday. Brisbane are kicking more points in 2016 but they leaking plenty too with schoolboy errors getting severely punished. The Lions are having a dig but need to start hitting more targets or it could get ugly at the Cattery.
CARLTON
INJURIES
Dennis Armfield (hamstring) test
Ciaran Sheehan (hip) 3 weeks
Harry McKay (back) 9 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Andrew Walker was a late withdrawal with calf tightness. Blaine Boekhorst copped a corked thigh during the Swans loss, but he is expected to be available for selection this week. Jed Lamb was quiet, while Andrew Phillips couldn’t repeat his promising Round 1 showing.
ON THE CUSP: Walker is likely to return and Matthew Dick and Mark Whiley (24 possessions apiece) had solid games in the Northern Blues final VFL practice match. Dylan Buckley and Ciaran Byrne were emergencies against Sydney.
SAM EDMUND’S FORECAST: Simply beaten, and beaten well, by a better side. Smashed inside and then bullied in the territory battle by Sydney in a reminder of a long road ahead for the “resetting” Blues. After a promising summer and highly encouraging Round 1 loss to Richmond, this was the first time Bolton’s Blues have really been gotten hold of, but it won’t be the last. Nevertheless, there were positives. Much-maligned Dale Thomas will feel a whole lot better going into this week’s clash against the Gold Coast after a successful return. Charlie Curnow showed signs on debut and Matthew Wright’s 26 touches show his growing influence. Saturday night’s meeting with the Suns now looks more daunting than it did pre-season, but as Bolton keeps saying, it’s all about the “little sprouts” of encouragement.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURIES
Dane Swan (leg/ankle) 8-12 weeks
Steele Sidebottom (suspended) 1 week
Jamie Elliott (back) indefinite
Tim Broomhead (shoulder) test
Travis Varcoe (hamstring) test
Jarrod Witts (hand) test
Matt Scharenberg (knee) season
ON THE BLOCK: Unlike Round 1, the Magpies appeared to get through relatively unscathed against the Tigers and can look with more confidence to Saturday’s clash with St Kilda. James Aish was quiet in his first outing in black and white but kicked a crucial goal in the last quarter. Brent Macaffer will be under the pump after again failing to impact the game, as is Corey Gault.
ON THE CUSP: Jeremy Howe had his match-day report from the VFL thrown out and is edging closer to his first game for the Pies. Matthew Goodyear’s good form continued in the VFL, Mason Cox took a super mark in the forward line, while Jesse White is playing down back at the moment. Rookie Josh Smith made his return to the VFL from an ankle injury, while Alan Toovey and Tyson Goldsack also performed OK. Meanwhile, the Magpies confirmed Swan would have surgery on his busted foot on Wednesday with the club hopeful of more clarity on the injury following the procedure.
GLENN McFARLANE’S FORECAST: Nathan Buckley will be reluctant to make too many changes, though Corey Gault could be the player under the most pressure this week after struggling to have an impact in attack.
All clear. @howie0038's VFL report has this morning been thrown out due to a 'lack of sufficient force'. #sidebyside pic.twitter.com/gBgL565ZDb
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) April 4, 2016
ESSENDON
INJURIES
Jason Ashby (knee) 7 weeks
Tom Wallis (hamstring) TBC
James Polkinghorne (calf) 1 week
ON THE BLOCK: Orazio Fantasia looked as if he had hurt his leg in the second term against the Demons, but after getting some treatment, he returned to the fray without any ongoing issues. Patrick Ambrose will be sweating on his report for rough conduct on James Harmes in the second quarter.
ON THE CUSP: Shaun McKernan responded to his demotion and a serve from John Worsfold by kicking six goals before going down with an ankle injury in a 77-point VFL practice match win against Richmond. Sam Grimley booted four while Jake Long off a wing and Aaron Francis across half-back were also impressive.
GLENN McFARLANE’S FORECAST: Make A Stand ... well the Bombers did that just as well as their supporters on Saturday, but the task won’t be easy against an angry Port Adelaide on Friday night. But there is a lot to like about young players such as Joe Daniher, Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish.
FREMANTLE
INJURIES
Michael Apeness (knee) 2 weeks
Harley Balic (wrist) indefinite
Harley Bennell (calf) 2 weeks
Sean Hurley (hip) 10-11 weeks
Anthony Morabito (hamstring) test
ON THE BLOCK: Some injury worries during the game with Matthew Pavlich (hip), David Mundy (jaw), Tommy Sheridan (hamstring) and Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) all getting work during the game, but all should be available for selection in the Derby. Plenty of Dockers struggling for form — it wouldn’t surprise if Garrick Ibbotson, Alex Pearce, Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon were sent back to the WAFL ... and we could go on.
ON THE CUSP: Matt Taberner and Tendai Mzungu had plenty of the ball in Peel Thunder’s 52-point win against Swan Districts. Anthony Morabito was listed last week as being one week away from another comeback attempt.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Can Ross reinvent the Dockers? Freo’s trademark defensive walls has crumbled in the first two rounds, conceding 29 goals to the Bulldogs and Fremantle. And it will be put to the test on Saturday by a WA rival on the rebound from the Grand Final rematch. The Dockers have North Melbourne away the next week and while you bet against Lyon at your peril, a 0-4 start would be pretty hard to overcome.
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GEELONG
INJURIES
Mitch Duncan (concussion) test
Mitch Clark (calf) TBA
Cam Delaney (hamstring) TBA
Sam Menegola (knee) 1-2 weeks
Scott Selwood (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Billie Smedts (shoulder) 3 weeks
Nathan Vardy (foot) 5 weeks
Tom Read (knee) TBA
Jackson Thurlow (knee) season
ON THE CUSP: Daniel Menzel continues to put his name forward as a possible inclusion, kicking two goals in Geelong’s 50-point loss to Collingwood in a VFL practice match on Saturday. Rookie Tom Ruggles also impressed, providing plenty of dash off the halfbackline with 25 disposals. Jed Bews was also among the best players.
ON THE BLOCK: Mitch Duncan wasn’t having a great day and to make matters worse then felt the full force of Shane Mumford in the third quarter and didn’t return to the field. Jordan Murdoch was quiet, managing only 12 disposals and also spent time off the ground after copping a knock from Mumford, while Shane Kersten presented well without getting much of the ball.
KATE SALEMME’S FORECAST: It wasn’t a good day in Canberra for the Cats, who were disappointing after knocking off the Hawks. Had their chances to stamp their authority on the game early but wasted opportunities. The fast ball movement of GWS highlighted a potential lack of pace through the midfield, slicing through the Cats full ground defence with ease. Cats coach Chris Scott will be looking for a strong response against Brisbane on Sunday at Simonds Stadium.
Certainly picked the wrong bloke to run into yesterday. All in all feeling good today. Thanks for the messages #greatwallofmummy
— Mitch Duncan (@mitchduncan22) April 4, 2016
GOLD COAST SUNS
INJURIES
Jaeger O’Meara (knee) 5-6 weeks
David Swallow (knee) indefinite
ON THE BLOCK: Callum Ah Chee is sore and was heavily bandaged on his right leg on the flight home from Perth on Sunday. Despite impressing greatly in his two starts to date, including two goals playing in front of his home crowd at Subi, the Suns may opt to rest him for this week’s match with Carlton. Several Suns suffered extreme cramp late in the game in Perth and Brandon Matera had his ribs iced in the rooms.
ON THE CUSP: Matt Rosa (calf) and Touk Miller (ankle) will push for selection after missing the trip to Perth. However, the Suns are in form and there is no player who’s head is on the block. If he is cleared fit Miller looms as a replacement for Ah Chee if he is rested. Rosa’s fate however might rest on one of his teammates pulling up sore.
ANDREW HAMILTON’S FORECAST: Gold Coast have made the best start to a season in their short history and will be desperate to extend their winning streak against the Blues. After both of their wins Eade stressed the Suns could get better. He asks his side to be ruthless and would love to see them really put an opponent to the sword. There appears to be a real quest for redemption after the disaster of last season among the group and there should be no easing off.
GWS
INJURIES
Paul Ahern (knee) season
Jeremy Cameron (suspended) Round 5
Jeremy Finlayson (knee) 2 weeks
Caleb Marchbank (ankle) TBA
Cam McCarthy (personal leave) indefinite
ON THE BLOCK: Caleb Marchbank is set to miss after rolling his ankle against the Cats. Matt Buntine, Adam Kennedy and Rhys Palmer were quiet while Jon Patton kicked three behinds in his first game for the year as well as spraying a shot that could have iced the game with a couple of minutes left after marking just outside the goalsquare.
ON THE CUSP: It will be hard to overlook Adam Tomlinson’s numbers in the NEAFL: 35 disposals, 18 marks, three goals. The second-tier side opened its season with a win against Sydney University, with Sam Reid booting four goals and James Stewart two.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Get your tickets early for the Battle of the Bridge. Under fire for being too selfish in Round 1, the Giants responded with a complete performance against the Cats in Canberra, with Stevie J proving an inspired recruiting decision. Dropping a game to Melbourne might come back to bite them but the Swans are followed by an out of form Port Adelaide and the Saints, giving GWS the chance to set up a finals tilt.
HAWTHORN
INJURIES
Luke Hodge (arm) 4-6 weeks
Liam Shiels (wrist) test
Matt Spangher (calf) 3 weeks
Brad Hill (wrist) 5 weeks
Jarryd Roughead (knee) 10-12 weeks
Alex Woodward (knee) TBA
Zac Webster (quad) 2 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: The Hawks desperately needed a win and a clean injury sheet in Round 2 and that’s precisely what they got, but the list of unavailable and experienced players is still far longer than coach Alastair Clarkson would prefer. But while Jarryd Roughead, Brad Hill and Luke Hodge are still likely to be out of action for long periods, Liam Shiels could return against the Bulldogs. Whatever the scenario, Clarkson is determined to play the club youngsters as often as possible as part of his integration process.
ON THE CUSP: The Box Hill Hawks lost a VFL practice match to Casey by five goals, with No. 22 draft pick Kieran Lovell picking up 23 disposals and two goals. Rookie Kade Stewart kicked four goals and Tim O’Brien snagged a couple. Liam Shiels is a chance to return but the big names are still a few weeks away. The Hawks have cleared draftee Ryan Burton of knee damage after he copped a knock in the VFL, a big relief for the young forward who suffered a badly broken leg in 2014.
LEO SCHLINK’S FORECAST: The Hawks’ brutal start to the season hardly gets easier with an appointment with the rampant Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, but they were justifiably heartened by the gaping 46-point win over West Coast. With veterans Josh Gibson, Sam Mitchell and Shaun Burgoyne showing the way, small forwards Cyril Rioli and James Sicily returned to form. Hawthorn’s defensive unit was again impressive against the Eagles — and it will need to be at its best against the Bulldogs.
FORECAST:
MELBOURNE
Chris Dawes (calf) 2 weeks
Ben Newton (ankle) 3 weeks
Jake Spencer (foot) 4-6 weeks
Oscar McDonald (ankle) test
Max King (ankle) test
INJURIES
ON THE BLOCK: No noticeable health issues for the Demons, except for dented pride and some deflated egos. Perhaps the only concern sits around Jesse Hogan. He was out of sorts for much of the game, and you had to wonder if it had to do with a moment in the first term when he pulled up looking sore from a contest. He spent the quarter-time break down in the rooms receiving treatment, but played out of the game.
ON THE CUSP: Christian Petracca is tempting the senior coaches to pick him sooner rather than later after collecting 20 disposals in a half for Casey Scorpions. It was Petracca’s first game in 18 months so he won’t be rushed. Jack Trengove picked up 18 disposals and two goals in a dominant first half and Alex Neal-Bullen had 36 touches.
GLENN McFARLANE’S FORECAST: Reckon Paul Roos had every reason to roast some of his players for going into the match with “big heads”. Others, he remarked, looked tired, including Angus Brayshaw in his first AFL game back and Round 1 Rising Star nominee Clayton Oliver. Hopefully, some of the youngsters won’t need to be rested this week.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Scott Thompson (soreness) test
Kayne Turner (hamstring) test
Jed Anderson (hamstring) 7-9 weeks
Joel Tippett (back) 4-6 weeks
Ed Vickers-Willis (shoulder) 5-7 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Lachie Hanson was a late inclusion for Scott Thompson and could make way if the key defender comes good, as expected. Kayne Turner missed with a hamstring but could struggle to get back into the seniors after Ben Jacobs’ shutdown job on Daniel Rich. Turner might need some footy in the VFL before knocking on the door again. Joel Tippett copped a knee to the back in the VFL and will miss 4-6 weeks with bruising and a fracture of the transverse process, which is a small bony projection off the side of his vertebrae.
ON THE CUSP: Thompson went within a whisker of playing against the Lions and Brad Scott says he should be right for Round 3. He was suffering from a some general soreness after a knock last week and could not hit full pace in a fitness test on Saturday.
GREG DAVIS’S FORECAST: The Kangas are off to their best start since 2005 with two wins from two outings and should make it a hat-trick when they take on Melbourne in Hobart this Sunday. The old fellas are firing, the young blokes are contributing and everyone in between are playing their roles. They absorbed Brisbane’s best shots and the sweltering conditions at the Gabba then kicked away convincingly.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) test
Jay Schulz (back) test
Tom Clurey (foot) 2 weeks
Billy Frampton (foot) 2 weeks
Dan Houston (hip/groin) 2 weeks
Nathan Krakouer (jaw) 1-2 weeks
Matt White (pectoral) 12-14 weeks
ON THE CUSP: Hamish Hartlett had hamstring soreness during training last week and was pulled out of the team to face Adelaide, and Port says it won’t take any chances against Essendon. Jay Schulz (back) is a better chance to return. Forward John Butcher booted four goals in the SANFL, while Kane Mitchell had 37 disposals and Sam Colquhoun had 20. Meanwhile, Matt White has been placed on the long-term injury list, with no replacement nominated yet.
ON THE BLOCK: Chad Wingard spent time on the bench late in the Showdown after suffering hamstring spasms but the club says he will be right to face Essendon on Friday night, along with Justin Westhoff (dislocated finger) and Travis Boak (knee). On form Ken Hinkley could nearly drop anyone except Robbie Gray who is playing a lone hand for the Power this season. Wingard had a stinker, Jared Polec was unsighted, Dougal Howard barely had a sniff in his first AFL game and Matthew Lobbe is really struggling. But who have they got to replace him?
MICHAELANGELO RUCCI’S FORECAST: Has Port Adelaide been worked out — and does coach Ken Hinkley have more than one theme to his playbook? The questions are valid — and will be heard often this week — as the Power deals with having conceded 244 points in the opening two games. Most concerning for Hinkley is how often St Kilda and Adelaide scored “over the back” of the high-pressing Power defence. The Crows went “coast-to-coast” too easily on Saturday to score 10.2 on rebound from defensive 50.
RICHMOND
INJURIES
Dylan Grimes (hamstring) 2 weeks
Shane Edwards (hand) test
Brett Deledio (quad) test
Nathan Drummond (knee) TBC
Reece Conca (hamstring) 6-7 weeks
Chris Yarran (foot) 5 weeks
Ivan Maric (back) test
ON THE BLOCK: Dylan Grimes was a casualty in the one-point loss, with scans revealing a “low hamstring” injury. Damien Hardwick said it was “a tendon issue behind the knee”. There will be plenty of other Tigers just as nervous about being axed following another unacceptable fadeout.
ON THE CUSP: Shane Edwards (hand) should return, but Brett Deledio continues to be frustrated by a quad injury. He hasn’t counted himself out of a return this weekend and as of Friday Deledio was running well, but still unable to kick without discomfort. Ivan Maric (back), who has missed the Tigers’ opening two games, is listed as a “test” on the Richmond website. The VFL side was belted by Essendon, but Adam Marcon (25 possessions, eight clearances) and Andrew Moore (21 and five) could press for promotion.
GLENN McFARLANE’S FORECAST: It’s going to be fascinating to see Hardwick’s reaction to the loss to Collingwood. Does he make wholesale changes or stick with the group that he has? Brett Deledio is unlikely to be back for the clash with the Crows, with the belief he is still another week away with his quad issue. Ivan Maric (back) will be monitored, while the Tigers will be desperately hoping Shane Edwards (hand) is not far away.
ST KILDA
INJURIES
Nathan Freeman (hamstring) 2 weeks
Nick O’Kearney (broken arm) 4-6 weeks
Brenton Payne (leg) 2-4 weeks
ON THE CUSP: Blake Acres led the disposal count for Sandringham with 27 and Tom Curren had 26 and Darren Minchington kicked five goals, backing up his three from the week before. The Saints’ VFL affiliate suffered a 22-point loss in its final practice match.
ON THE BLOCK: All went smoothly for the Saints on Saturday night, with the medical staff going relatively unbothered at Etihad Stadium. Young forward Paddy McCartin got through unscathed — albeit struggling to have an impact — in his first appearance for the season after a hamstring injury in the NAB Challenge. Skipper Nick Riewoldt spotted having some work on his calf which he then had re-strapped, but he later insisted he was fine with the body feeling “really good” after a 16th preseason.
LAUREN WOOD’S FORECAST: The fired up Magpies await, with Saints coach Alan Richardson admitting his men could do worse than looking to their looming opponents who bounced back from a heavy loss with a narrow win over Richmond. Need to clean up disposal-wise and find more avenues to goal. Five goals won’t win many games of footy, as they found out on Saturday night. Stopping Adam Treloar is a must, but with no traditional tagger, it’ll be interesting to see just how they do it.
SYDNEY SWANS
INJURIES
Alex Johnson (knee) season
Jarrad McVeigh (knee) test
Sam Reid (hamstring) test
Gary Rohan (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: No fresh injury concerns for the Swans, with veteran defender Ted Richards getting through his comeback from a calf injury unscathed. But Zak Jones might be worried his 10 touches against Carlton won’t be enough to keep Ben McGlynn out of the side.
ON THE CUSP: McGlynn’s class shone in another outing in the NEAFL, this time gathering 21 possessions and kicking a goal against the Brisbane Lions seconds. James Rose and Abe Davis continued their good form with three goals apiece.
SAM EDMUND’S FORECAST: Carlton coach Brendon Bolton declared them “up and about early in the season” and there’s no doubt the Swans are that. The midfield has been prolific, Buddy is lively again and Callum Sinclair’s partnership with Kurt Tippett is looking ominous after the pair combined for seven goals and 14 marks against the Blues.
An intriguing derby awaits against GWS.
WEST COAST EAGLES
INJURIES
Corey Adamson (hamstring) test
Mitch Brown (finger) 6 weeks
Chris Masten (ankle) test
Dom Sheed (pectoral) 7 weeks
Simon Tunbridge (back) 4 weeks
Alec Waterman (illness) indefinite
Sharrod Wellingham (knee) 2 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Luke Shuey was almost a late withdrawal against Hawthorn after rolling his left ankle in the rooms in the warm-up. He decided to play and was serviceable with 24 disposals but lacked his trademark effectiveness — like many of his teammates in a flat display that raised plenty of doubts over Adam Simpson’s team. Simpson will almost certainly regain Chris Masten for the Derby against Fremantle, but a more pressing issue is to find a solution for the club’s mental fragility.
ON THE CUSP: Chris Masten made a successful return from an ankle injury for East Perth with 28 disposals and six tackles. Will he come straight back in? Tom Lamb was the other standout in the state league with 23 touches and four goals.
LEO SCHLINK’S FORECAST: The Eagles play three of their next four matches at home, starting against the wallowing Dockers and then Richmond. Failures in either of those clashes would raise more serious questions marks over West Coast’s flag aspirations. The Eagles were beaten in every facet against a bustling Hawthorn side in a soft display and Freo will be busting to adopt similar approach in Perth. There is simply too much talent among the Eagles’ best ... but is the hunger there?
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURIES
Tom Campbell (ankle) test
Tory Dickson (adductor) available
Will Minson (hamstring) test
Clay Smith (knee) indefinite
Roarke Smith (knee) TBA
ON THE CUSP: Jordan Roughead has been excellent in the ruck over the first two rounds but Tom Campbell should get the call-up for the big clash against the Hawks, after suffering a rolled ankle in the final NAB game. Campbell’s return will allow Roughead to play as a dynamic swing man. Lin Jong was also outstanding in the VFL again and could get the nod. Tory Dickson will remain sidelined with a quad problem.
ON THE BLOCK: Could the Dogs drop anyone after a stunning 2-0 start? Josh Dunkley didn’t do a lot on Saturday night but it’s hard to make a case for anyone else. Luke Dahlhaus returned to the fray after being flattened in the first quarter and is good to go against the Hawks.
JAY CLARK’S FORECAST: The Dogs play fast-paced football that has excited the competition but their defence and contested ball have been the key to their winless start. Luke Beveridge has been ecstatic with the way the back line held Fremantle and St Kilda to five goals each in the first two games. Marcus Adams has been a revelation at full back, on only his first two games at AFL level.
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.