AFL injury list: All the latest injury news at your club after Round 5
UNLUCKY Gold Coast youngster Darcy MacPherson is set to miss the next three months after breaking his leg but there’s good news for Adelaide. Injury news and selection analysis from every club.
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PERTH Stadium’s turf continues to come under fire after two new injuries at the billion-dollar stadium.
Fremantle has lost Matt Taberner with a broken foot while Bulldog Tory Dickson suffered a hamstring injury and now Lance Franklin is out with a bruised heel sustained in Round 1.
Round 5 has also seen a litany of concussions, most notably suffered by Geelong’s Scott Selwood in a controversial clash with Lindsay Thomas.
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North Melbourne pair Shaun Higgins and Ed Vickers-Willis and St Kilda’s Jack Newnes will also be monitored at training this week.
Meanwhile, Adelaide is set to regain Matt Crouch, Eddie Betts and Rory Sloane from injury for Saturday night’s clash with Gold Coast, who will be without Darcy MacPherson.
Scroll down for the latest injury news and selection analysis from every team.
ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Kyle Hartigan (hamstring) TBC
Eddie Betts (hamstring) 2 weeks
Kyle Cheney (hamstring) 2 weeks
Brad Crouch (groin) 5 weeks
Matt Crouch (hamstring) 1 week
Sam Gibson (hamstring) 2 weeks
Alex Keath (ankle) 3 weeks
David Mackay (concussion) test
Andrew McPherson (groin) 5 weeks
Lachlan Murphy (hamstring) test
Rory Sloane (foot) test
Brodie Smith (knee) season
MATCH REPORT: TEX STANDS TALL AS CROWS STUN SWANS
ON THE BLOCK: Hard to imagine anyone from the Adelaide 22 who defied the odds by beating Sydney by 10 points at the SCG on Friday night will be sleeping nervously after the team review at West Lakes on Monday. And with a heavy injury count — now 13 — it is difficult to see major change at selection for the home clash with Gold Coast, a team still to find a way to beat the Crows.
ON THE CUSP: Coach Don Pyke expects vice-captain Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch to seek a return after having the week off to ease a foot problem. But Pyke says he will put the pair’s long-term needs ahead of eagerness to play. Specialist forward Eddie Betts thinks he can make it back after one week on the sidelines with a grade-one hamstring strain. He might be optimistic. Kyle Hartigan’s addition to the soft-tissue injury count (with a left hamstring strain) forces Pyke to look at his defensive options such as Kyle Cheney and Alex Keath.
MICHELANGELO RUCCI’S FORECAST: Home sweet home for the Crows as they play their next four games at Adelaide Oval, and it begins with Adelaide’s bunnies, the Suns, who have not won a game in 10 attempts against the Crows. Should be an easy week for Pyke, captain Taylor Walker and the Crows.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURIES
Mitch Hinge (hamstring) test
Jack Payne (shin) 2 weeks
Daniel Rich (ankle) test
Sam Skinner (knee) indefinite
Toby Wooller (finger) 9 weeks
MATCH REPORT: RAYNER MISS HANDS SUNS QCLASH CLASSIC
ON THE BLOCK: If Dayne Zorko is quiet, the Lions simply don’t win. Coach Chris Fagan will be demanding more from his star midfielder this week after just 10 disposals. Youngster Zac Bailey could pay the price after he had 10 touches.
ON THE CUSP: Sam Mayes put his hand up for an immediate recall with 31 disposals in the Lions’ NEAFL romp against the Suns. Rhys Mathieson (27 touches, one goal) and Tom Bell (26 disposals) are also in the selection frame. No.18 draft pick Brandon Stacevich edged closer to an AFL debut with 20 possessions and two goals.
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: As a club, Brisbane will not be happy dropping the QClash to the Suns on their home deck. A strong response will be needed just to get close to GWS next week, with the Giants also dirty on two dropped points after a draw with St Kilda.
CARLTON
INJURIES
Cam O’Shea (head) TBC
Ciaran Byrne (quad) 2 weeks
Sam Docherty (knee) season
Matthew Kennedy (ankle) TBC
Matthew Kreuzer (groin) TBC
Matthew Lobbe (quad) 2 weeks
Caleb Marchbank (ankle) 2 weeks
Cillian McDaid (foot) 4 weeks
Marc Murphy (foot) 3 weeks
Jarrod Pickett (wrist) 8 weeks
Alex Silvagni (hamstring) test
Jacob Weitering (thigh) test
Tom Williamson (back) 2 weeks
MATCH REPORT: EAGLES SURVIVE AS BLUES SHOW PROMISE
ON THE BLOCK: Jarrod Garlett will be lucky to survive the selection axe after a horror outing against West Coast that saw him collect just five disposals. Jack Silvagni was quiet again but showed some promise as Carlton surged in the last quarter.
ON THE CUSP: The Northern Blues had a bye in the VFL, meaning Carlton’s fringe players missed out on a chance to impress. Jacob Weitering is a chance to return after a thigh niggle and we’re waiting to find out the Blues’ plans for Matthew Kreuzer. Back-up Andrew Phillips was OK against the Eagles.
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: Carlton was much improved, no doubt. However, the Blues still couldn’t find their first win of the season. That search could end on Friday night when they meet the Western Bulldogs, who are coming back from Perth on a six-day break. The Blues’ tall forward line will stretch the Dogs, who can turn the ball over like few other teams.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURIES
Taylor Adams (hamstring) test
Tim Broomhead (broken leg) season
Jamie Elliott (hamstring) 1 week
Tyson Goldsack (knee) season
Levi Greenwood (knee and quad) 1 week
Kayle Kirby (heart) indefinite
Darcy Moore (hamstring) 1 week
Josh Smith (hamstring) 1 week
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: Nathan Buckley said Taylor Adams was a chance to play on Wednesday but wasn’t named. We won’t see Darcy Moore or Jamie Elliott, who is also set to miss the Round 6 clash against Richmond. Anzac Day is a toss of the coin. Collingwood certainly has the quality to win, as proved by its win over Sydney, but that was 12 days ago.
ESSENDON
INJURIES
Orazio Fantasia (groin) TBC
Patrick Ambrose (suspension) 1 week
Mitch Brown (calf) test
Travis Colyer (foot) 2 weeks
Matt Dea (leg) 1 week
Aaron Francis (mental health) indefinite
Martin Gleeson (ankle) 7 weeks
Conor McKenna (suspension) 2 weeks
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: Which Essendon will turn up at the MCG on Wednesday? Will we see the lacklustre Bombers who were overrun by the Bulldogs or the impressive Bombers who ended Port Adelaide’s winning run? Orazio Fantasia’s absence is huge.
FREMANTLE
INJURIES
Matt Taberner (broken foot) TBC
Harley Bennell (calf) TBC
Sean Darcy (knee) TBC
Hugh Dixon (ankle) TBC
Stefan Giro (knee) test
Brady Grey (hamstring) 2 weeks
Bradley Hill (knee) test
Griffin Logue (foot) TBC
Lee Spurr (knee) TBC
MATCH REPORT: DOCKERS HONOUR YARRAN, DOGS IN DISARRAY
ON THE BLOCK: Just as he was starting to look at home in the Dockers’ best 22, Matt Taberner fractured a metatarsal bone in his left foot against the Bulldogs at Perth Stadium on Saturday night. Coach Ross Lyon said the tall forward would be out for a “while”. In-form defender Alex Pearce also went for scans but is confident of playing in the western derby. It’s hard to see too many changes after Fremantle’s impressive 54-point win over the Dogs.
ON THE CUSP: Speedster Bradley Hill could return from a knee injury sustained against Essendon in Round 2. Versatile tall Brennan Cox and former Cat Shane Kersten will be the front-runners to replace Taberner. Athletic defender Ethan Hughes was also in good form for the Dockers’ WAFL affiliate, Peel Thunder, before its bye at the weekend.
JORDAN McARDLE’S FORECAST: There was a lot to like about the Dockers’ performance on Saturday night, with captain Nat Fyfe leading from the front and Michael Walters dominating up forward. Ross Lyon’s men are yet to drop a game at Perth Stadium ahead of the inaugural derby at the Burswood venue. It’s going to be a huge test against their cross-town rivals in front of a record crowd, with West Coast atop of the AFL ladder with a 4-1 record. A win should put Fremantle in the top eight, something which looked little more than a dream before the season.
GEELONG
INJURIES
Tom Hawkins (back) test
Scott Selwood (concussion) TBC
Gary Ablett (hamstring) 2 weeks
Nakia Cockatoo (knee) TBC
Cory Gregson (foot) TBC
Cam Guthrie (ankle) 7 weeks
Lachie Henderson (knee) indefinite
Lincoln McCarthy (quad) 1 weeks
Quinton Narkle (knee) 5 weeks
Harry Taylor (foot) indefinite
MATCH REPORT: UNDERMANNED CATS STUN PORT IN FIERY CLASH
ON THE BLOCK: All eyes will be Scott Selwood throughout the week as he recovers from the brutal bump from Lindsay Thomas. His potential omission would be forced, while the potential return of some high-profile teammates might have some anxious. Jordan Murdoch, James Parsons and George Horlin-Smith, despite having an impact against Port Adelaide, could be unlucky if forced out.
ON THE CUSP: Could Gary Ablett return to face the Swans at GMHBA Stadium this weekend? It’s a chance, with Chris Scott suggesting he was in calculations for what should be one of the games of Round 6. Tom Hawkins (back spasms) is likely to return, while Zac Guthrie is also in the mix. The Cats’ VFL team enjoyed a good win over Footscray, with Stewart Crameri playing through the midfield while the Cats took further steps to finding back-up defensive options by deploying Aaron Black to the other end of the ground. He impressed but won’t play AFL footy just yet.
BEN BROAD’S FORECAST: The Cats are now joint flag favourites in some markets. Geelong was outstanding against Port, its organised, undermanned back half particularly impressive. Horlin-Smith deserves to keep his place and has previously done a number on the out-of-sorts Josh Kennedy. Despite the Swans’ midfield woes, they have had Geelong’s measure the last two times they’ve met at the Cattery. But this is a different-looking Cats outfit. It’s a crunch fortnight for Scott’s side as they meet both Sydney teams at home. While one victory from the two would be a pass mark, two wins could really set up Geelong’s season.
GOLD COAST SUNS
INJURIES
Steven May (finger) TBC
Darcy MacPherson (broken leg) 14 weeks
Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) 1 week
Pearce Hanley (dislocated shoulder) 11 weeks
Sean Lemmens (broken hand) 3 weeks
Tom Nicholls (shoulder) 15 weeks
Jack Scrimshaw (cheekbone) 5 weeks
MATCH REPORT: RAYNER MISS HANDS SUNS QCLASH CLASSIC
ON THE BLOCK: Darcy MacPherson will definitely miss after being carried from the ground with what looked an ankle injury. Steven May should play despite being listed on the injury report. Don’t expect Stuart Dew to mess too much with a winning combination.
ON THE CUSP: There wasn’t a lot to like as the NEAFL Suns were hammered by Brisbane. However, Aaron Hall responded well to his dumping with 25 possessions and nine tackles. Expect him to come straight back in. Max Spencer could get a call-up after 15 touches and two goals.
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: Gold Coast returned to Queensland and the winner’s list on Sunday with a thrilling QClash victory. While Dew might not be happy with the Suns giving up a five-goal lead, a win is a win for the developing team. Next up, a trip to Adelaide. With the Crows also back to form, we’ll call it a learning experience.
GWS
INJURIES
Nick Haynes (knee) TBC
Matt Buntine (knee) test
Brent Daniels (knee) 1 week
Josh Kelly (groin) test
Adam Kennedy (knee) 1 week
Rory Lobb (knee) test
Tom Scully (ankle) 9 weeks
Will Setterfield (knee) season
Lachie Tiziani (knee) season
Zac Williams (Achilles) season
MATCH REPORT: CONTROVERSY AS SAINTS, GIANTS DRAW
ON THE BLOCK: Defender Nick Haynes is the only question mark in regards to fitness after battling on with a corked thigh against the Saints. Dawson Simpson will come under pressure to hold his spot from a fit Rory Lobb.
ON THE CUSP: Josh Kelly and Rory Lobb lead a host of players who will be looking to prove their fitness for Saturday’s clash against the winless Brisbane at Spotless Stadium. Explosive small forward Zac Langdon (broken hand) was very close to playing against the Saints.
NEIL CORDY’S FORECAST: The Giants play their first game at Spotless Stadium for the year against the winless Brisbane Lions. Josh Kelly has already missed two weeks with a nagging groin complaint and could possibly play against the Lions but Leon Cameron would be keen to have his star midfielder 100 per cent. Kelly carried the same injury throughout the entire 2017 season. He may get another rest on the weekend.
HAWTHORN
INJURIES
Liam Shiels (back) TBC
Grant Birchall (knee) 7 weeks
Shaun Burgoyne (hamstring) test
Jon Ceglar (back) test
Dylan Moore (shoulder) 3 weeks
Paul Puopolo (hamstring) 5 weeks
Cyril Rioli (knee) 5 weeks
MATCH REPORT: WHAT SPOON? NORTH PROVING DOUBTERS WRONG
ON THE BLOCK: Tom Mitchell and Ryan Burton will find out today whether they will be suspended for high hits. Liam Shiels is also under a cloud after spending some of the second half off the ground with a back problem. Tim O’Brien could be in the gun for a quiet game against the Roos.
ON THE CUSP: Ryan Schoenmakers kicked three goals in the VFL and could press for selection. Jonathan O’Rourke and Teia Miles were Box Hill’s best two players in Box Hill’s win on Saturday. Shaun Burgoyne will also attempt to prove his fitness from a hamstring injury.
JAY CLARK’S FORECAST: A dreadful first half cost Hawthorn against North Melbourne. Alastair Clarkson said the hunger and appetite was missing. They will want a much better effort, in particular, in the aerial battle against St Kilda in Launceston on Saturday night.
MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Jordan Lewis (hand) 2 weeks
Tom McDonald (toe) 2 weeks
Pat McKenna (hamstring) indefinite
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) 9 weeks
Jack Viney (foot) 3 weeks
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: A huge test awaits Melbourne on Anzac Day eve. The Demons were simply terrible in the Round 4 loss to Hawthorn and tests don’t come much bigger than the reigning premier at the MCG. It’s hard to see the Dees getting up here but this round has been full of upsets already, so over to you, lads.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Shaun Higgins (concussion) TBC
Ed Vickers-Willis (concussion) TBC
Declan Watson (knee) indefinite
MATCH REPORT: WHAT SPOON? NORTH PROVING DOUBTERS WRONG
ON THE BLOCK: Shaun Higgins and Ed Vickers-Willis are both under a concussion cloud after suffering head knocks on Sunday. They will have tests and face a light week on the track.
ON THE CUSP: Brad Scott said the players from the VFL team who were pressing hardest for selection were the big guys. But north’s key-position players are all flying. If anything, maybe Paul Ahern looms as a possible replacement for Higgins if he fails to play next week. Ahern was third-best in the VFL team.
JAY CLARK’S FORECAST: We agree with Brad Scott. The first half against Hawthorn was one of the most impressive performances in his eight year stint in charge. They will be confident of causing another upset in Saturday’s clash against an under-the-pump Port Adelaide.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Lindsay Thomas (suspension) 1 week plus
Matthew Broadbent (ankle) TBC
Willem Drew (foot) TBC
Joel Garner (shoulder) TBC
Cameron Hewett (shin) TBC
Todd Marshall (concussion) test
Tom Rockliff (calf) test
Paddy Ryder (Achilles) 2 weeks
MATCH REPORT: UNDERMANNED CATS STUN PORT IN FIERY CLASH
ON THE BLOCK: Lindsay Thomas’s time in the Power side looks to be short-lived after he was reported for a heavy bump on Scott Selwood that ended the Cat’s night with concussion before halftime on Saturday. The other two inclusions for the game were Jack Hombsch and Jake Neade who both did enough to stay put this week.
ON THE CUSP: The Magpies play the SANFL’s grand final rematch against Sturt on Wednesday which means it’s unlikely anyone who stars will be right to back up and play North Melbourne three days later. But Todd Marshall should recover from concussion and Tom Rockliff from a minor calf strain, while Sam Powell-Pepper is still in limbo, with the AFL set to hand down its findings of an investigation into his behaviour at a nightclub.
REECE HOMFRAY’S FORECAST: After a 3-0 start, Port Adelaide’s bubble has burst and while competitive against Geelong on Saturday night they faded badly in the last quarter. Despite initial fears for Ollie Wines’ ankle in the final term he played out the game and should be fine to front the Kangaroos this weekend in what is the start of a huge month on the road. The Power’s only game at Adelaide Oval in the next five rounds is the Round 8 Showdown as it prepares for trips to Melbourne, Perth, Tasmania and Shanghai. Expect Todd Marshall and Tom Rockliff to return this week and they will be back on the winners’ list against North Melbourne.
RICHMOND
INJURIES
Jack Graham (suspension) 1 week
Daniel Rioli (foot) TBC
Nick Vlastuin (not specifed)
Josh Caddy (not specified)
AL PATON’S FORECAST: The Tigers will make three changes with replacements needed for suspended midfielder Jack Graham plus Nick Vlastuin and Josh Caddy, who were ruled out by Damien Hardwick on Monday. The coach didn’t specify their condition, saying only the were “injured”. Jack Higgins, Sam Lloyd and Nathan Broad sat out the VFL on the weekend and are the obvious ins. Coming off an 11-day break, the Tigers willl be wary of complacency and a fired-up Melbourne, which has won three of its past five against the Tigers.
ST KILDA
INJURIES
Jack Newnes (concussion) test
Josh Bruce (back) 7 weeks
Nathan Freeman (hamstring) 1 week
Doulton Langlands (glandular fever) indefinite
Darren Minchington (knee) 6 weeks
Dylan Roberton (heart) indefinite
Koby Stevens (concussion) indefinite
MATCH REPORT: CONTROVERSY AS SAINTS, GIANTS DRAW
ON THE BLOCK: Jack Newnes will be monitored after he was concussed in the first quarter against GWS. Tim Membrey had no impact after being recalled, could the Saints go from three tall forwards to one?
ON THE CUSP: Jimmy Webster (hip) and Rowan Marshall (concussion) are chances to return and David Armitage had another big day for Sandringham, picking up 32 disposals and a goal in the Zebras’ first loss of the season.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: St Kilda put in clearly its best performance of the season against GWS, surpassing the Round 1 win against Brisbane. The “Saints footy” brand was clear, winning the tackles 79-63. Unfortunately, the starkest feature of St Kilda’s games this year has been wasteful conversion – booting just 10 goals from 67 forward 50m entries on Saturday and kicking 45.54 for the season. If they can find a way to get more reward for effort they are a big chance to record win No.2 against an injury and possibly suspension-hit Hawthorn on Saturday.
SYDNEY SWANS
INJURIES
Lance Franklin (bruised heel) TBC
Dan Hannebery (groin) TBC
James Bell (hamstring) 5 weeks
Jordan Dawson (quad) 5 weeks
Jordan Foote (toe) 5 weeks
Alex Johnson (groin) 5 weeks
Sam Naismith (knee) season
Toby Pink (ankle) 4 weeks
Sam Reid (quad) 9 weeks
MATCH REPORT: SWANS RUE MISSES IN LOSS TO CROWS
ON THE BLOCK: The Swans were rocked on Tuesday when Lance Franklin and Dan Hannebery were ruled out through injury. Harry Marsh was among the better players in the loss to Adelaide but if Lewis Melican is to return it’s hard to see who else would be dropped to make way for him. Will Hayward was quiet against the Crows with just seven possessions for the match and no goals.
ON THE CUSP: Melican was very close to playing against Adelaide on Friday night after suffering hamstring tightness in the win over the Giants. He will almost certainly come back into the team to take on the Cats in Geelong on Friday night, having grown up in nearby Birregurra. The Swans reserves had the bye in the NEAFL so it was impossible for players like Aliir Aliir and Nic Newman and Ben Ronke to push their claims
NEIL CORDY’S FORECAST: The Swans were eliminated from the finals race by Geelong in their last meeting, a semi-final at the MCG. But they have a strong recent record against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium, beating them easily in their past two meetings by 46 and 38 points in the last two years. Look for a response from Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery who were all quiet against the Crows.
WEST COAST EAGLES
INJURIES
Hamish Brayshaw (knee) 3 weeks
Eric Mackenzie (toe) indefinite
Tony Olango (knee) test
Liam Ryan (ankle) 10 weeks
Nathan Vardy (adductor) test
Daniel Venables (ankle) 1 weeks
MATCH REPORT: EAGLES SURVIVE AS BLUES SHOW PROMISE
ON THE BLOCK: Tom Barrass was unusually quiet, collecting just three disposals and two marks. However, don’t expect Adam Simpson to make too many changes after a rare injury-free week.
ON THE CUSP: It’s tough to break into the West Coast forward line with Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy firing but top draft selection Jarrod Brander (pick No.13) is pressing his case after 18 touches and two goals in the WAFL. Fellow draftee Brayden Ainsworth was also impressive in East Perth’s WAFL clash against Perth with 23 disposals.
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: Reckon there might be a bit of goalkicking practice at training this week after a 10.19 effort in the win over Carlton. The Eagles won’t be able to afford profligacy like that against Fremantle in the first derby at Perth Stadium.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURIES
Tory Dickson (hamstring) 6 weeks
Marcus Adams (ankle) 5 weeks
Kieran Collins (ankle) 4 weeks
Hayden Crozier (knee) 2 weeks
Tom Liberatore (knee) season
Brad Lynch (hamstring) 8 weeks
Dale Morris (knee) 7 weeks
Liam Picken (concussion) indefinite
Jack Redpath (knee) TBC
Clay Smith (knee) 6 weeks
Jackson Trengove (shoulder blade) test
Josh Schache (ankle) test
MATCH REPORT: DOCKERS HONOUR YARRAN, DOGS IN DISARRAY
ON THE BLOCK: Is it too much to say the entire 22? Some of the Dogs’ turnovers were rightly labelled comical on Saturday night and it’s a nasty habit that has surfaced this season. Tory Dickson is a definite out with a hamstring injury. How Billy Gowers continues to get a game is unknown, after nine disposals, two tackles and no score, he needs a spell.
ON THE CUSP: Jackson Trengove made a successful return in the VFL as Footscray was
overrun in the final quarter by Geelong in Geelong. Shane Biggs responded well to his axing with 29 disposals across half-back. Lewis Young also impressed.
BEN HIGGINS’ FORECAST: What do we make of the Bulldogs? Two horrible performances, two impressive performances and now a Perth horror show. It doesn’t bode well if the trend continues with Carlton waiting on Friday night. Returning from WA on a six-day break, expect the Dogs to have a light week on the track and hopefully rediscover their best.
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