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AFL DAILY: Dion Prestia injury scare, rolling footy news for Monday, August 26, 2019
Richmond has received some unwelcome news on the eve of the finals with All-Australian candidate Dion Prestia suffering an achilles problem after the win against Brisbane. RECAP TODAY'S FOOTY NEWS
Richmond expects Dion Prestia will play against Brisbane despite achilles soreness after the best season of his AFL career.
Prestia was today named in the All-Australian squad and, after joining Tom Lynch in playing every game this year, could take out the Tigers' best-and-fairest.
He was exceptional in the win over Brisbane with 30 possessions, 669 metres gained and 116 ranking points.
But he has some achilles soreness from the game which football boss Neil Balme said should settle down in time to play the Lions on Saturday week.
RECAP ALL TODAY'S FOOTY NEWS IN THE BLOG BELOW
"I think he was a bit sore but (the medicos) are not worried about it," Balme said.
"He was a bit sore towards the end and they would rather he wasn’t but they are not too concerned about it.”
Richmond plays Essendon in the VFL finals on Saturday, which means ruckman Toby Nankervis will get a run after groin issues.
The club is worried about his capacity to play as many as four finals in a row but hopeful he will continue to improve after mid-year groin surgery.
Trent Cotchin would have likely played if available to get more miles into his legs after only 11 games this year and one since Round 19.
But all players who took part in the Round 23 AFL game are ineligible for the VFL finals.
The Tigers VFL side had a bye last weekend so it will be a critical hit-out for the club’s depth players, including Ryan Garthwaite, Mabior Chol, Jacob Townsend, Patrick Naish and Connor Menadue.
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Updates
– Jon Ralph
Richmond expects Dion Prestia to play against Brisbane despite suffering achilles soreness after the best season of his AFL career.
Prestia was today named in the All Australian squad and, after joining Tom Lynch in playing every game this year, could take out the Tigers best-and-fairest.
He was exceptional in the win over Brisbane with 30 possessions, 669 metres gained and 116 ranking points.
But he has some achilles soreness from the game which football boss Neil Balme said should settle down in time to play Brisbane on Saturday week.
“I think he was a bit sore but (the medicos) are not worried about it. He was a bit sore towards the end and they would rather he wasn’t but they are not too concerned about it.”
Richmond plays Essendon in the VFL finals on Saturday, which means ruckman Toby Nankervis will get a run after groin issues.
The club is worried about his capacity to play as many as four finals in a row but hopeful he will continue to improve after mid-year groin surgery.
Trent Cotchin would have likely played if he was available to get more miles into his legs after only 11 games this year and one since Round 19.
But all players who took part in the Round 23 AFL game are ineligible for the VFL finals.
The Tigers VFL side had a bye last weekend so it will be a critical hitout for the club’s depth players including Ryan Garthwaite, Mabior Chol, Jacob Townsend, Patrick Naish and Connor Menadue.
Injury scare for red-hot Tiger
– Jon Ralph
Richmond expects Dion Prestia to play against Brisbane despite suffering achilles soreness after the best season of his AFL career.
Prestia was today named in the All Australian squad and, after joining Tom Lynch in playing every game this year, could take out the Tigers best-and-fairest.
He was exceptional in the win over Brisbane with 30 possessions, 669 metres gained and 116 ranking points.
But he has some achilles soreness from the game which football boss Neil Balme said should settle down in time to play Brisbane on Saturday week.
“I think he was a bit sore but (the medicos) are not worried about it. He was a bit sore towards the end and they would rather he wasn’t but they are not too concerned about it.”
Richmond plays Essendon in the VFL finals on Saturday, which means ruckman Toby Nankervis will get a run after groin issues.
The club is worried about his capacity to play as many as four finals in a row but hopeful he will continue to improve after mid-year groin surgery.
Trent Cotchin would have likely played if he was available to get more miles into his legs after only 11 games this year and one since Round 19.
But all players who took part in the Round 23 AFL game are ineligible for the VFL finals.
The Tigers VFL side had a bye last weekend so it will be a critical hitout for the club’s depth players including Ryan Garthwaite, Mabior Chol, Jacob Townsend, Patrick Naish and Connor Menadue.
Match review: Demon, Sun fined
The final match review of the season has been completed with just two charges laid.
Melbourne defender Marty Hore was charged with rough conduct against Kangaroo Jared Polec and fined $2000.
Gold Coast midfielder Touk Miller was fined $1500 for making contact with an umpire.
– Nick Smart
Tom Liberatore and Tory Dickson are a chance to play finals but Bulldogs aren't planning mass changes for their clash against GWS.
The Bulldogs romped into the finals with a barnstorming 8-3 run in the second half of the season.
The team is in form and coach Luke Beveridge said today he expected to go into the side’s first final at Spotless Stadium virtually unchanged.
“The boys played pretty well against Coburg at state league level, but obviously we made a couple (of changes against Adelaide) and we kept Lewis Young in the team and Jackson Trengove was a bit stiff," Beveridge said on Monday.
“But we don’t anticipate we’ll make too many changes.”
Forward Tory Dickson (hamstring) missed last Sunday’s win over Adelaide, and Beveridge said he would “possibly be available for selection” for the Giants clash.
Midfielder Tom Liberatore has not played since Round 20 with a knee injury, and Beveridge said he was still in the mix for a finals return if the Bulldogs can go deep into September.
“He’s had some issues with one of his knees,” he said.
“There’s a chance he’ll be available.
“He’s cross training, not doing a lot of running at the moment.
“So he’s up our sleeve at the moment.”
When asked if he would roll the dice on playing Liberatore, Beveridge said:
“No, it’s not a situation where we are going to need to roll the dice,” he said.
“Every player in the 22 deserves to be there.
“Libba’s had an impact this year but we won’t take any risks.
“We were probably in a position a while ago where that was worthwhile, (but) it’s definitely not needed this time.
“If Tom start to train fully and we win (against GWS) then we’ll consider it if we get an injury or something.”
Beveridge said premiership player Caleb Daniel (hamstring) was closer to a return, declaring him to be a better chance of being considered than Liberatore during September.
Libba in mix for finals return
– Nick Smart
Tom Liberatore and Tory Dickson are a chance to play finals but Bulldogs aren't planning mass changes for their clash against GWS.
The Bulldogs romped into the finals with a barnstorming 8-3 run in the second half of the season.
The team is in form and coach Luke Beveridge said today he expected to go into the side’s first final at Spotless Stadium virtually unchanged.
“The boys played pretty well against Coburg at state league level, but obviously we made a couple (of changes against Adelaide) and we kept Lewis Young in the team and Jackson Trengove was a bit stiff," Beveridge said on Monday.
“But we don’t anticipate we’ll make too many changes.”
Forward Tory Dickson (hamstring) missed last Sunday’s win over Adelaide, and Beveridge said he would “possibly be available for selection” for the Giants clash.
Midfielder Tom Liberatore has not played since Round 20 with a knee injury, and Beveridge said he was still in the mix for a finals return if the Bulldogs can go deep into September.
“He’s had some issues with one of his knees,” he said.
“There’s a chance he’ll be available.
“He’s cross training, not doing a lot of running at the moment.
“So he’s up our sleeve at the moment.”
When asked if he would roll the dice on playing Liberatore, Beveridge said:
“No, it’s not a situation where we are going to need to roll the dice,” he said.
“Every player in the 22 deserves to be there.
“Libba’s had an impact this year but we won’t take any risks.
“We were probably in a position a while ago where that was worthwhile, (but) it’s definitely not needed this time.
“If Tom start to train fully and we win (against GWS) then we’ll consider it if we get an injury or something.”
Beveridge said premiership player Caleb Daniel (hamstring) was closer to a return, declaring him to be a better chance of being considered than Liberatore during September.
A family of Western Bulldogs fans received an unexpected expert preview of yesterday's clash against Adelaide when they stopped to pick up a hitchhiker on the Western Highway.
Their passenger was four-time premiership coach David Parkin, who found himself in need of a ride after the ABC commentary team's bus suffered a flat tyre on the way to the ground.
The Grandstand calling team – Matt Clinch, Corbin Middlemas and Brad Sewell – made it to Mars Stadium in time after an emergency call to ABC tech support in Melbourne. But Parkin was already there.
"We lost one of our members along the way because I was driving the team bus – I had Sewell, Parkin and Middlesmas in the car," Clinch said later.
"Parko got chatting to a couple of Bulldogs fans and decided to go with them, he wasn't interested in waiting."
Parkin, who coached 518 games with Hawthorn, Carlton and Fitzroy, said: "I was in conversation with a lovely family of Western Bulldogs supporters, who very kindly offered to drive me, and feed me, and have a very pleasant conversation. They dropped me off at the door, so I walked straight in. They had to drive about 4km to find a car park."
– Jon Ralph
Adelaide’s twin reviews after another botched season will decide the fate of Crows coach Don Pyke.
The Crows will conduct an internal review into every aspect of their football club and also hire external consultants to review their inner workings.
That approach at Collingwood saved coach Nathan Buckley, with player backing and strong support from within the club seeing him handed another contract.
But the Herald Sun understands Adelaide will be open-minded about the future of Pyke, who has two years on a lucrative contract but two failed seasons after 2017’s Grand Final loss.
If those review findings reflect poorly on Pyke’s communication, tactical acumen and relationship with the players it would provide evidence to move him on.
But, like Geelong in 2006 under Brian Cook’s review of the club, it could also provide evidence to support Pyke in the long-term with a revamped team around him.
Adelaide has already embarked upon a list transformation, having moved on Andy Otten and Richard Douglas and with significant changes ahead.
Alex Keath and Hugh Greenwood are holding out for deals longer than two seasons and could find their way to Melbourne clubs.
Club favourites Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins are both contracted next year and are keen to stay but could still end up at rivals clubs.
Adelaide has been plagued by speculation about poor morale, with senior players continuing complaining about being dropped to the SANFL while captain Taylor Walker remained in the side.
The club’s captaincy arrangement could also come under review, with Walker and Rory Sloane co-captains this year but Sloane seen as the heart and soul of the club.
Crows chairman announced the review today, saying results this year had fallen well short of expectations.
“We must identify any deficiencies, challenge ourselves and focus on improvement with a view to delivering consistent performances and sustained success in a fiercely competitive league," he said.
“Having a number of experts with specific skill-sets and expertise, as well as intimate knowledge of the modern game and high performance environments, will ensure there is meaningful feedback that can support positive change.”
Crows review to decide Pyke's future
– Jon Ralph
Adelaide’s twin reviews after another botched season will decide the fate of Crows coach Don Pyke.
The Crows will conduct an internal review into every aspect of their football club and also hire external consultants to review their inner workings.
That approach at Collingwood saved coach Nathan Buckley, with player backing and strong support from within the club seeing him handed another contract.
But the Herald Sun understands Adelaide will be open-minded about the future of Pyke, who has two years on a lucrative contract but two failed seasons after 2017’s Grand Final loss.
If those review findings reflect poorly on Pyke’s communication, tactical acumen and relationship with the players it would provide evidence to move him on.
But, like Geelong in 2006 under Brian Cook’s review of the club, it could also provide evidence to support Pyke in the long-term with a revamped team around him.
Adelaide has already embarked upon a list transformation, having moved on Andy Otten and Richard Douglas and with significant changes ahead.
Alex Keath and Hugh Greenwood are holding out for deals longer than two seasons and could find their way to Melbourne clubs.
Club favourites Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins are both contracted next year and are keen to stay but could still end up at rivals clubs.
Adelaide has been plagued by speculation about poor morale, with senior players continuing complaining about being dropped to the SANFL while captain Taylor Walker remained in the side.
The club’s captaincy arrangement could also come under review, with Walker and Rory Sloane co-captains this year but Sloane seen as the heart and soul of the club.
Crows chairman announced the review today, saying results this year had fallen well short of expectations.
“We must identify any deficiencies, challenge ourselves and focus on improvement with a view to delivering consistent performances and sustained success in a fiercely competitive league," he said.
“Having a number of experts with specific skill-sets and expertise, as well as intimate knowledge of the modern game and high performance environments, will ensure there is meaningful feedback that can support positive change.”
Commentary team's highway drama
A family of Western Bulldogs fans received an unexpected expert preview of yesterday's clash against Adelaide when they stopped to pick up a hitchhiker on the Western Highway.
Their passenger was four-time premiership coach David Parkin, who found himself in need of a ride after the ABC commentary team's bus suffered a flat tyre on the way to the ground.
The Grandstand calling team – Matt Clinch, Corbin Middlemas and Brad Sewell – made it to Mars Stadium in time after an emergency call to ABC tech support in Melbourne. But Parkin was already there.
"We lost one of our members along the way because I was driving the team bus – I had Sewell, Parkin and Middlesmas in the car," Clinch said later.
"Parko got chatting to a couple of Bulldogs fans and decided to go with them, he wasn't interested in waiting."
Parkin, who coached 518 games with Hawthorn, Carlton and Fitzroy, said: "I was in conversation with a lovely family of Western Bulldogs supporters, who very kindly offered to drive me, and feed me, and have a very pleasant conversation. They dropped me off at the door, so I walked straight in. They had to drive about 4km to find a car park."
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