AFL injury list: All the latest injury news at your club after Round 6
Carlton’s depth will be put to the ultimate test this week, with Kade Simpson, Nic Newman and Matthew Kreuzer ruled out of the club’s huge clash with North Melbourne. SEE YOUR CLUB’S INJURY LIST
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Carlton has been dealt a triple injury blow, with Kade Simpson, Nic Newman and Matthew Kreuzer ruled out of this week’s clash with North Melbourne.
The Blues’ backline depth will be tested for an extended period of time, with Simpson and Newman to miss the next three weeks.
Carlton high performance manager Andrew Russell said Simpson’s issues started with hamstring tightness against the Hawks on Sunday.
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“We assessed him, and we thought it was a good idea that we didn’t put him back on,” he said.
“He has got some low-grade damage in his hamstring and we expect him to miss the next three weeks.
“Nic Newman had some knee soreness, he’s got some low-level damage to his patella tendon.
“These can be quite challenging to manage and at this stage we probably expect him to miss around the next three weeks.”
In some positive news, Kreuzer is expected to be back for the club’s Round 8 clash against arch rival Collingwood.
“Matty Kreuzer got a cork to his hamstring in the game, which caused him to change his running mechanics,” Russell said.
“He’s actually got a bit of muscle overload to his adductor region and inside hamstring. It will probably see him miss a week.”
ADELAIDE
With their 29-point win at Marvel Stadium against St Kilda, the Crows found some of the free-flowing, high-scoring spark for which they’d become known, and did it so without experienced midfielder Bryce Gibbs who was a late withdrawal with gastro.
He was replaced by youngster Jordan Gallucci, who kicked one of the Crows’ 15 goals.
The question now, as Adelaide prepares to face Fremantle at home next Sunday, is whether coach Don Pyke sticks with the youth (Gallucci, Elliott Himmelberg, Myles Poholke) or goes with experience and recalls big forward Josh Jenkins, who’s now spent a fortnight in the SANFL.
Jenkins pushed for a recall this weekend, kicking 3.0, racking up 18 disposals and winning 12 hit-outs in the reserves.
— Liz Walsh
INJURIES
Bryce Gibbs (gastro) test
Shane McAdam (calf) test
Wayne Milera (AC joint) TBC
Andrew McPherson (hamstring) 1 week
Luke Brown (ankle) 1 week
Paul Seedsman (knee) 2-4 weeks
Richard Douglas (syndesmosis) 3 weeks
Sam Jacobs (knee) 4-5 weeks
Tom Doedee (ACL) season
BRISBANE
Chris Fagan must have had his tongue firmly in check when he suggested Harris Andrews and to a lesser extent Rhys Mathieson might struggle to get back into the Lions’ side after their big win over Gold Coast.
“I don’t know, they were running pretty well by the end of the week, couldn’t be 100 per cent certain, it is hard to change a side that has just won,’’ he said before breaking into a chuckle.
The pair suffered what the club has labelled minor hamstring injuries in the Easter Thursday loss to Collingwood.
They will be tested this week. Andrews, the vice-captain, will play if he is declared fit to take on the Swans at the Gabba and Mathieson also should have enough runs on the board after a solid start to the season.
— Andrew Hamilton
INJURIES
Marcus Adams (knee) 1-2
Brandon Starcevich (hamstring) 2-3
Zac Bailey (hamstring) 2-3
Harris Andrews (hamstring) test.
Rhys Mathieson (hamstring) test.
CARLTON
Carlton has been dealt a triple injury blow, with Kade Simpson, Nic Newman and Matthew Kreuzer ruled out of this week’s clash with North Melbourne.
The Blues’ backline depth will be tested for an extended period of time, with Simpson and Newman to miss the next three weeks.
Carlton high performance manager Andrew Russell said Simpson’s issues started with hamstring tightness against the Hawks on Sunday.
“We assessed him, and we thought it was a good idea that we didn’t put him back on,” he said.
“He has got some low-grade damage in his hamstring and we expect him to miss the next three weeks.
“Nic Newman had some knee soreness, he’s got some low-level damage to his patella tendon.
“These can be quite challenging to manage and at this stage we probably expect him to miss around the next three weeks.”
In some positive news, Kreuzer is expected to be back for the club’s Round 8 clash against arch rival Collingwood.
“Matty Kreuzer got a cork to his hamstring in the game, which caused him to change his running mechanics,” Russell said.
“He’s actually got a bit of muscle overload to his adductor region and inside hamstring. It will probably see him miss a week.”
INJURIES:
Kade Simpson (hamstring) 3 weeks
Nic Newman (knee) 3 weeks
Matthew Kreuzer (hamstring) 1 week
Charlie Curnow (knee) Test
Tom De Koning (knee) 4-6 weeks
Kym Lebois (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Jarrod Pickett (knee) Indefinite
Sam Docherty (knee) Indefinite
COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies will closely monitor big forward Mason Cox’s knee, but is confident the long gap between Anzac Day and the Port Adelaide clash on May 3 will mean he is right to go.
Cox copped a knock to his knee in the fourth quarter of the Anzac Day classic, yet played out the game after spending some time on the bench getting treatment.
He looked sore after the game, however is expected to be right to take on the Power.
Jamie Elliott was a late withdrawal for Anzac Day, but is expected to resume from a bruised buttock.
James Aish will push for selection after missing the Essendon clash due to concussion, while Daniel Wells says he's ready to return to the AFL after impressing in Saturday’s VFL clash with the Bombers at Windy Hill.
Hard to drop anyone from such a hard-fought win, but selection heat could come on Levi Greenwood and Travis Varcoe.
— Glenn McFarlane
INJURIES
Flynn Appleby (ankle) TBC
Tyler Brown (shoulder) 2-4 weeks
Lynden Dunn (knee) season
Chris Mayne (back fracture) 2-3 weeks
Nathan Murphy (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Matt Scharenberg (ankle) 4-5 weeks
Brayden Sier (toe) 1-2 weeks
ESSENDON
Devon Smith is the big one to watch for the Bombers ahead of next week’s huge clash with Geelong, with coach John Worsfold defending the call to play the star midfielder on Anzac Day.
Smith didn’t feature at all in the last quarter having earlier received treatment on his knee.
Worsfold wasn’t sure whether it was the same issue that kept Smith out of Good Friday’s match against North Melbourne but he’ll be assessed.
“Why wouldn’t he have (played)? He was absolutely 100 per cent fit and felt the best he had this week more than any other week,” Worsfold said.
“If there was any week where he shouldn’t have played, it was maybe the first four rounds if you’re talking about how he’s feeling.
“Something has happened to his knee but we’re not sure yet.
“I’m guessing it’s not the same issue because they’re saying they don’t really know what it is — if it was the same issue they would just say that it was his cranky knee.”
Orazio Fantasia was a late out with illness but should play, while Zac Clarke could return after suffering a cork to his calf.
Ben McNiece was a standout in the VFL team that beat Collingwood on Saturday, although an apparent hamstring injury to Jayden Laverde soured the win.
“I thought he was good and he’s been building every week,” Essendon VFL coach Dan Jordan said of McNiece.
“This week I thought he was exceptional actually, I thought it was one of his better games at VFL level for the club.”
— Lauren Wood
INJURIES
Zac Clarke (calf) year
Martin Gleeson (cheekbone) test
Shaun McKernan (hamstring) 6-7 weeks
Kobe Mutch (hamstring) 8-10 weeks
Devon Smith (knee) test
James Stewart (groin) test
Jayden Laverde (hamstring) TBC
FREMANTLE
While it wasn’t as convincing as last week, the Dockers got the job done in David Mundy’s 300th, with that man guiding them to victory.
Their make-up of talls and mosquito fleet up forward has been effective, with Brandon Matera the major beneficiary with five majors.
The Dockers are unlikely to make wholesale changes after a win, but returning forward Cam McCarthy’s (11 disposals) may come under the microscope at match selection after a disappointing showing.
Defender Ryan Nyhuis (19 touches, six marks) showed strong signs in his first game for the season, while the Rory Lobb/Matt Taberner combination seems to be working in the ruck.
Sean Darcy (11 disposals, 35 hit-outs for Peel Thunder) could be recalled if they wish to exert their ruck dominance against the inexperienced Reilly O’Brien, while Stefan Giro (23 touches) was another solid performer for Peel.
The Dockers will be tempted to bring in talented midfielder Connor Blakely for their trip to Adelaide, who made his return from a hamstring injury in the WAFL, collecting 20 touches. He could make way for Reece Conca (12 touches) who was hardly sighted against the Bulldogs.
— Dan Batten
INJURIES
Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) TBC
Harley Bennell (calf) TBC
Stephen Hill (quad) 4-5 weeks
Shane Kersten (foot) TBC
Griffin Logue (hamstring) test
Aaron Sandialnds (calf) TBC
Sam Sturt (concussion) test
GEELONG
Despite a performance against the Eagles where it was hard to find a player who lowered their colours, the Cats will definitely make one change for next week’s clash with Essendon.
Coach Chris Scott guaranteed that young gun Jordan Clark, who was rested against West Coast, would return on Sunday.
So who will make way?
Clark’s replacement Zach Tuohy is a regular so he won’t be going anywhere while fellow Irishman Mark O’Connor continues to thrive across half-back.
Maybe it might be another youngster’s turn to be rested such as Tom Atkins or Gryan Miers although this would upset the new forward line pressure model which is working so well at the moment.
Sam Menegola was relatively quiet against the Eagles while Charlie Constable, who came back against the Eagles after being rested the previous week, might also be a candidate.
— Scott Gullan
INJURIES
Lachie Henderson (foot)
Jordan Cunico (ankle)
Nakia Cockatoo (knee)
Scott Selwood (hamstring)
Lachie Fogarty (hip)
GOLD COAST
Stuart Dew was crestfallen after the Q Clash. He called his team leaders into a meeting straight after the game before addressing the rest of the playing group.
His mood hadn’t brightened by the time he fronted the media. Losses hurt all coaches but it was a little surprising to witness the depth of Dew’s emotions.
Most footy fans would consider 3-3 to be a fair return after six rounds for a side few thought were going to register too many wins this year.
But clearly after a 3-2 start to the year he believed the Suns were capable of a far better showing. The skill errors he could live with, it was what he called a lack of competitiveness that cut deep.
He will want to make changes for the trip West to take on the Eagles but the cupboard is pretty bare after the NEAFL were also smashed by Brisbane. Anthony Miles will come under consideration and Wil Powell if he passes concussion tests.
Sam Day continues to be on the outer but he was one of the few good performers in the reserves and the lack of marking targets inside fifty may eventually convince the selection panel to give him a go. Aaron Young also played well in the NEAFL.
— Andrew Hamilton
INJURIES
Callum Ah Chee (quad) 3-4 weeks
Corey Ellis (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Sam Fletcher (quad) 3-4 weeks
Sean Lemmens (ankle) 1 week
Anthony Miles (calf) test
Wil Powell (concussion) TBC
Izak Rankine (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Rory Thompson (knee) season
Lachie Weller (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Harrison Wigg (knee) season
GWS GIANTS
An imposing win in the Sydney Derby was marred by injuries to two of their brightest stars. GWS will sweat on the fitness of Stephen Coniglio (dislocated finger) and Lachie Whitfield (corked thigh) who have been two of the Giants’ best players this season.
The latter looks to be in more trouble, with Coniglio playing out the game in a glove and having an impact — particularly up forward — with four goals.
Whitfield carried on manfully playing as a deep forward with his movement appearing limited. Hard nut Sam Reid also suffered an ankle injury in the last quarter.
In some good news on the injury front, captain Phil Davis (ankle) is almost a certain starter for their clash with St Kilda after he was a late withdrawal on Saturday night.
Toby Greene made a successful return from injury with three goals, while small forward Zac Langdon (foot) returned in the NEAFL, booting two goals.
Forward Zach Sproule continued to put his hand up in the twos with two goals, while running defender Isaac Cumming (28 disposals, eight rebound 50s) was among the best and looms as the logical replacement for Whitfield if he misses.
— Dan Batten
INJURIES
Phil Davis (ankle) test
Brett Deledio (calf) TBC
Jonathon Patton (knee) TBC
Harry Perryman (lung) test
Tommy Sheridan (calf) 3 weeks
Callan Ward (knee) season
HAWTHORN
This week’s clash against Melbourne is going to be a danger game for the Hawks.
The Demons will hit it with a 10-day break after their tight turnaround to play on Anzac Day eve. Meanwhile, Hawthorn will have to overcome back-to-back six day breaks. Ouch!
Liam Shiels returned from his hamstring injury on Sunday which means Shaun Burgoyne must be close. They would love his class back in the midfield.
Harry Morrison was a clear standout in the VFL and will also be in the mix for a senior call-up.
While they got through Sunday’s game without any injury concerns, the Hawks will be nervous about James Cousins, who was reported for his involvement in a clash with Sam Petrevski-Seton in the final quarter.
INJURIES
Grant Birchall (calf/knee) indefinite
Shaun Burgoyne (hamstring) test
James Frawley (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Tim Mohr (dislocated knee/ACL) season
Mathew Walker (knee) test
Tom Mitchell (broken leg) indefinite
MELBOURNE
Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney is set to miss the next two games with a shoulder injury.
Viney was crunched by Richmond young gun Sydney Stack in the third-quarter of their Anzac Day eve clash.
“Jack suffered a moderate-grade AC joint sprain during the third-quarter following a bump,” Melbourne elite performance manager David Misson said.
“We’ll monitor how Jack progresses over the next week, but our expectation is that he’ll probably miss one to two games.
The Demons take on Hawthorn and Gold Coast in their next two matches.
Alex Neal-Bullen suffered a corkie in his right quad but the long break will help his cause.
Sam Weideman endured another tough night, finishing with just six disposals, but coach Simon Goodwin defended him post-match.
Melbourne players will be given four days of leave to “freshen up” in the hope of turning their season around.
— Jon Ralph
INJURIES
Mitch Hannan (knee) 4-5 weeks
Neville Jetta (knee) 7-9 weeks
Jay Kennedy Harris (leg) 7-8 weeks
Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) test
Jake Lever (knee) 3-5 weeks
Steven May (groin) 2-3 weeks
Joel Smith (groin) 3-4 weeks
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Jack Viney (shoulder) TBC
Guy Walker (shoulder) indefinite
NORTH MELBOURNE
Midfielder Shaun Higgins should return to the Kangaroos’ team as it chases a desperately-needed win against Carlton.
The star on-baller was a late withdrawal with illness and the club reported he was discharged from hospital late on Friday.
North Melbourne's Shaun Higgins out of hospital last night but didn't take the flight back to Melbourne with teammates this morning. Set to take a later flight today. @superfooty
— Chris Cavanagh (@chriscavanagh1) April 27, 2019
Defender Luke McDonald was helped from the ground in the first half of Friday’s loss to Port Adelaide with a reported ankle injury, but later returned.
Small defender Marley Williams is still expected to miss another week as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Tall defender Ben McKay will be an outside chance to face Carlton, while Sam Durdin is likely to be available.
Paul Ahern, Dom Tyson and Bailey Scott were to press their claims for a senior recall in the VFL on Saturday.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Majak Daw (Pelvis/hips) indefinite
Sam Durdin (Finger) test
Ben Jacobs (Head/neck) indefinite
Luke McDonald (ankle) test
Ben McKay (Pneumonia) 1 week
Tom McKenzie (back) test
Tom Murphy (ankle) 1 week
Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) season
Will Walker (knee) indefinite
Tom Wilkinson (ankle) 10 weeks
Marley Williams (ankle) 1 week
PORT ADELAIDE
Co-captain Tom Jonas was a late withdrawal from Friday night’s win over the Kangaroos with a calf strain and is unlikely to return against Collingwood this Friday night.
Hamish Hartlett is the other puzzling one at Alberton. He was initially hoping to play in the JLT Series and that got pushed back because of knee soreness. Then he had a hamstring strain and it just hasn’t felt right so we’re still waiting for him to return from a knee reconstruction.
When he’s fit expect him to put pressure on the likes of Riley Bonner or Darcy Byrne-Jones but for now Port’s young defence is holding up.
— Reece Homfray
INJURIES
Tom Jonas (calf) test
Robbie Gray (broken hand) 4-6 weeks
Hamish Hartlett (hamstring/knee) indefinite
Sam Hayes (knee) 3 weeks
Charlie Dixon (leg) indefinite
Jack Watts (leg) indefinite
Jake Patmore (knee) season
RICHMOND
Richmond star Jack Riewoldt is set to miss up to eight weeks after scans revealed significant damage to his posterior cruciate ligament.
While there’s good new for the Tigers in that Riewoldt won’t require surgery to his injured knee, the injury is considered serious enough to sideline the spearhead for at least six weeks.
“Scans have revealed Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt has a high-grade PCL injury to his right knee,” the Tigers revealed on Friday night.
“Riewoldt will not require surgery but is expected to be unavailable for selection for six to eight weeks.”
David Astbury looked in serious trouble when he was helped from the field with an ankle injury in the second quarter, but he returned after halftime.
Astbury was in severe pain after Jake Melksham stood on his left foot.
Shai Bolton was the unlucky forward to make way for Riewoldt and should be first in line to replace him after he was best on ground for the Tigers’ VFL side with 25 disposals, 11 tackles and a goal.
— Jay Clark
INJURIES
David Astbury (ankle) TBC
Trent Cotchin (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Shaun Grigg (knee) indefinite
Oleg Markov (knee) 5-6 weeks
Alex Rance (knee) season?
Jack Riewoldt (knee) TBC
Jayden Short (elbow) indefinite
Maverick Weller (leg) test
ST KILDA
The injuries keep piling up at Moorabbin, with Alan Richardson admitting his side has been a “bit light-on” in the big man department.
Which would explain why found themselves in the situation of not knowing whether Josh Bruce was absolutely going to play against Adelaide until after the final on-ground warm up.
Bruce had a corkie from last week that lingered and stopped him from training. He was ticked off by the medicos and got through that warm up, but was clearly hampered the longer the game went.
He’s no guarantee to play next week, with Richardson admitting he will have to improve to be considered.
— Sam Edmund
INJURIES
Josh Bruce (corkie) test
Jack Lonie (knee) TBC
Rowan Marshall (virus) test
Jarryn Geary (quad) TBC
Dan Hannebery (hamstring/calf) Indefinite
Max King (knee) 1-2
Paddy McCartin (concussion) Indefinite
Dylan Roberton (heart) season
SYDNEY
The Sydney Swans have no margin for error if they want to mount a charge towards the finals. They simply must start winning. However, that equation won’t get much easier if Lance Franklin continues to miss time.
Buddy was a late withdrawal from the derby because of a hamstring strain and coach John Longmire confirmed he will miss Saturday afternoon’s clash against Brisbane. Buddy is expected to return against Essendon in Round 8.
The superstar forward joined former captains Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh, veteran defenders Heath Grundy and Nick Smith, ruckman Sam Naismith and former Geelong forward Daniel Menzel on the sidelines for the Swans.
Longmire: Will Hayward is a chance to come back into the team this week so he will see a specialist later this week to determine that. We will be guided by the medical experts on that.
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) April 29, 2019
Ben Ronke was a late inclusion for Buddy but he didn’t set the world on fire, having just eight touches and failing to kick a goal. He will be under pressure to keep his spot.
INJURIES
Lance Franklin (hamstring) 1 week
Heath Grundy (back) 1-2 weeks
Will Hayward (jaw) test
Jack Maibaum (knee) Season
Jarrad McVeigh (quad) 4-6 weeks
Sam Naismith (knee) TBC
Nick Smith (hamstring) TBC
Durak Tucker (knee) Indefinite
Daniel Menzel (groin) Test
WEST COAST
The reigning premiers are coming off two ordinary weeks so changes need to be made.
Midfielder Jack Redden missed against the Cats because of lower leg soreness and is a chance to return while ruckman Nathan Vardy was dropped and will also likely get a reprieve.
The Eagles are running out of numbers with defender Tom Barrass ruled out for three months during the week after toe surgery.
Livewire Willie Rioli is also still a month away with a foot issue.
Ruckman Nic Naitanui is closing in on his return after his second knee reconstruction and could be back within the next month.
—Scott Gullan
INJURIES
Tom Barrass (foot) 7-10 weeks
Nic Naitanui (knee) Indefinite
Willie Rioli (foot) 4 weeks
WESTERN BULLDOGS
It was a much better effort from the Bulldogs away from home after their shock loss to the lowly Blues, but they face a tougher challenge on Saturday night against the up-and-about Tigers.
A couple of Bulldogs will be nervous at selection. Young swingman Aaron Naughton was held goalless for the second week in a row, and a return to the backline may be considered by Luke Beveridge.
Fellow young gun Ed Richards finished with just 12 touches and two behinds, while Billy Gowers (nine disposals and a goal) hit the scoreboard but was wasteful with his disposal.
Back-up Jack Trengove was solid in his return but Tim English’s impressive display may see him slide out — especially against a Richmond side with a weak ruck outfit.
Fortunately there were no injuries to come out of Saturday night’s game besides Hayden Crozier knock in the first quarter, but he returned and played out the match.
In the twos, Patrick Lipinski continued his strong form for Footscray, while Bailey Dale (20 disposals and a goal) was also prominent. Dumped key forward Josh Schache hit the scoreboard with a goal.
— Dan Batten
INJURIES
Matt Suckling (groin) 2-3 weeks
Fergus Green (ankle) 4-5 weeks
Taylor Durea (hip) 5-7 weeks
Dale Morris (knee) indefinite
Lin Jong (appendix) TBC
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