AFL injury list: who’s hot and who’s hurt after Round 19
COACH Simon Goodwin won’t write him off, but star Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan faces an uphill battle to make it back from a broken collarbone this season. FULL AFL INJURY LIST
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COACH Simon Goodwin won’t write him off, but star Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan faces an uphill battle to make it back from a broken collarbone this season.
GWS has been rocked by news spearhead Jeremy Cameron faces at least another three weeks on the sidelines, while Gold Coast will have its fingers crossed after Gary Ablett was a late withdrawal against Richmond and Sydney will be sweating on the fitness of its captain Josh Kennedy ahead of a crunch clash with Geelong.
A Bomber suffered a horror injury in the VFL and a boom Freo Docker popped his shoulder.
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FULL AFL INJURY LIST BELOW + WHO’S ON THE BLOCK AND ON THE CUSP
ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Kyle Cheney (suspension) 1 week
Brad Crouch (cheekbone) TBC
Jake Lever (hamstring) Test
Reilly O’Brien (back) TBC
Eddie Betts (appendix) 1 week
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (knee) Season
Curtly Hampton (ankle) 2-4 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: A trio of players if Eddie Betts, Jake Lever and Brad Crouch prove their fitness at training during the week. Coach Don Pyke says all three are expected to be available for Showdown 43 against Port Adelaide after they missed the incredible draw against Collingwood when the Crows stormed home from 50 points behind to claim two premiership points. If the three key men return, former first-class cricketer Alex Keath, who finished the Magpies game with a sore wrist, Wayne Milera, Paul Seedsman and Andy Otten would be the players feeling the most heat to hold their spots.
ON THE CUSP: With Betts, Lever and Crouch expected to return to the Adelaide line-up to face the Power, there is not much chance for others to force their way into the side. The best SANFL performers in the loss to Glenelg on Sunday were Harrison Wigg, Jordan Gallucci, Jono Beech and veteran Scott Thompson but none is likely to earn promotion for the Showdown. Key defender Kyle Hartigan re-injured his hamstring in the SANFL in his return match.
ANDREW CAPEL’S FORECAST: Provided they get through training unscathed, Betts, Lever and Crouch will come into the side. Keath, Milera and one of Seedsman or Otten will be the likely outs.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURIES
Tom Bell (ankle) Season
Allen Christensen (shoulder) Season
Mitch Robinson (foot) Season
ON THE BLOCK: Not an unexpected performance given coach Chris Fagan gave a score of young guns a week off, but there were a couple of blokes who went missing. Midfielder Rhys Mathieson picked up 17 touches but was messy with the ball and could be due a spell after nine-straight games. Ex-Geelong listed mid Jarrad Jansen has also struggled with the step up to the big time, getting the pill just 11 times against the Eagles.
ON THE CUSP: Some big names should return this week, with none bigger than Dayne Zorko after his one week off suspended. Rested rookies Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry and Hugh McCluggage should all be right to step straight back in, while Matt Hammelmann (five goals) and Archie Smith (four goals) were impressive for the dominant Lions NEAFL side.
KYLE POLLARD’S FORECAST: It’s all about managing the kids for the Lions at the moment, but there is real belief that they can destroy the Bulldogs’ run to finals at the Gabba this Saturday. Veterans Dayne Beams and Daniel Rich led the way against the Eagles, and with Zorko set to stand alongside them, there’s no reason why they can’t cause a massive upset.
CARLTON
INJURIES
Matthew Kreuzer (concussion) Test
Dylan Buckley (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Ed Curnow (bruised larynx) 3-4 weeks
Patrick Kerr (hip) Season
Patrick Cripps (fractured fibula) Season
Andrew Phillips (foot) Season
Sam Rowe (knee) Season
Alex Silvagni (knee) 3-4 weeks
Cameron Polson (shoulder) Season
ON THE BLOCK: Star ruckman Matthew Kreuzer will need to tick all the concussion boxes during the week to hold his spot. No risks will be taken on the All-Australian-bound big man. Jacob Weitering is totally devoid of confidence, while Jack Silvagni had little to no impact on the game. Zac Fisher copped a knock to the knee but played on, while David Cuningham and developing forward Harry McKay did OK against a genuine premiership fancy.
ON THE CUSP: Nick Graham was the pick of the Blues in VFL action while former GWS Giants swingman Kristian Jaksch booted four goals. Harrison Macreadie was rested and could come back in with a good week on the track.
GILBERT GARDINER’S FORECAST: Tired, inexperienced or combination of both? The Blues have gone forward in leaps and bounds but dare say the last month of the season is not going to be easy. Brendon Bolton has ingrained a strong defensive game and should benefit from the likes of Sam Petrevski-Seton playing longer minutes in the midfield. Young guns Silvagni and Weitering need to lift.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURIES
Scott Pendlebury (broken finger) 3-4 weeks
Mitch McCarthy (foot) 1-2 weeks
Ben Sinclair (hamstring) TBC
Travis Varcoe (elbow) Season
Sam McLarty (knee) TBC
Darcy Moore (neck) TBC
Adam Oxley (groin/hip) Season
ON THE BLOCK: Appeared to be a clean bill of health for Collingwood out of Sunday’s match with Adelaide and there were even contributions across the field for the majority of the match, no players having a real shocker.
ON THE CUSP: Father-son Josh Daicos had been named on the extended bench on Thursday for the Crows match but ended up playing VFL where he suffered a left foot injury that could wipe out his hopes of a senior debut this season. James Aish (27 disposals) and Jackson Ramsay (24 disposals) were among the Pies’ best in the VFL.
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S FORECAST: The season is over for the Magpies but there is plenty riding on the last four weeks as coach Nathan Buckley still fights to keep his job next year. The unexpected draw against Adelaide was positive in a lot of ways but negative from the perspective Collingwood let a 50-point second-half lead slip. A North Melbourne outfit which snapped a seven-match losing streak on the weekend is next up on Saturday night. The two teams most recently met in Round 18 last year, the Kangaroos scoring a 40-point win on that occasion.
ESSENDON
INJURIES
Mitch Brown (ankle) 3-5 weeks
Josh Green (hamstring) Test
Ben McNiece (neck) TBC
Jackson Merrett (broken leg) season
ON THE BLOCK: Brent Stanton was the standout performer in the VFL, gathering 28 touches and kicking two goals. Aaron Francis also overcame injury to play in the state league, kicking a goal. Jackson Merrett suffered a horror broken leg in the VFL and will miss the rest of the season.
ON THE CUSP: Will be interesting to see whether John Worsfold wields the axe after a turnover-riddled performance against the Dogs. No standout let-down performances so most — if not all — should be safe. Orazio Fantasia presented with an ankle issue that will be assessed.
LAUREN WOOD’S FORECAST: Huge game against the Blues this Saturday as the Bombers fight to keep their season alive. It’s the tightest season in recent history and every one counts and they’ll be hoping they won’t be left to rue the loss to the Dogs. This could be D-Day and they’ll be hunting redemption.
FREMANTLE
INJURIES
Connor Blakely (shoulder) TBC
Harley Balic (hamstring/personal leave) TBC
Michael Apeness (knee) Season
Taylin Duman (back) 1-2 weeks
Zac Clarke (knee) TBC
Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) Season
Lee Spurr (calf) 3-4 weeks
Ed Langdon (knee) 1 week
Alex Pearce (leg) Season
Michael Walters (knee) Season
Matthew Uebergang (hamstring) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Connor Blakely looks certain to miss after dislocating his shoulder — twice — against the Giants. Showed great courage to return only for the joint to again ‘pop out’. Blakely aside, hard to see the coach throwing too many out after such a brave display. Cam McCarthy was quiet, but we’ll excuse that as he returned to his old home ground.
ON THE CUSP: Jon Griffin and Garrick Ibbotson were among the best for Peel, but it’s hard to see them coming back in as Ross Lyon looks forward. Matt Taberner was OK against Swan Districts and could earn a recall.
BEN BROAD’S FORECAST: With four weeks remaining in Freo’s season, this week provides the Dockers with their best chance of singing the club song. Taking on Gold Coast at home is a very winnable game for Fremantle — especially if Gary Ablett is still missing. If the Dockers show the same grit they did against the Giants, they should take the points. Sydney (away), Richmond and Essendon (also away) round out a challenging run to Mad Monday.
GEELONG
INJURIES
Tom Lonergan (back) TBC
Nakia Cockatoo (hamstring) Test
Mark Blicavs (ankle) 2-5 weeks
Josh Cowan (Achilles) Season
Cory Gregson (foot) Season
Darcy Lang (shin) 1-2 weeks
Lincoln McCarthy (groin) TBC
Quinton Narkle (knee) Season
Mark O’Connor (ankle) Test
ON THE BLOCK: Bar a couple of incidents, the Cats runaway win over the Blues was fairly bruise free. Nakia Cockatoo (hamstring) is likely to undergo scans after he left the field early, while Tom Lonergan copped a knee to the back but played on.
ON THE CUSP: Three big inclusions for Friday night’s blockbuster against Sydney, fighting to stay alive in the race for the eight. Expect Daniel Menzel and Rhys Stanley to walk into the team, while out-of-sorts speedster Steven Motlop needs a solid week on the track to justify his selection.
GILBERT GARDINER’S FORECAST: The Cats could not have been more professional in the 65-point dismantling of Carlton. They worked through their gears nicely and Tom Hawkins roared back into form with one of the best performances of his career — six goals and 26 disposals. With three of the last four games at Simonds Stadium the Cats should expect nothing short of a top-two finish despite tricky opposition — Swans, Richmond, Collingwood (MCG) and GWS.
GOLD COAST SUNS
INJURIES
Callum Ah Chee (shoulder) Test
Alex Sexton (concussion) Test
Ben Ainsworth (knee) Test
Jarrod Witts (foot) Test
Brayden Fiorini (hamstring) Test
Gary Ablett (hamstring) Test
Cam Loersch (hand) TBC
Michael Barlow (leg) Season
Sam Day (hip) Season
Jarryd Lyons (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) Season
Jack Leslie (leg) Test
ON THE BLOCK:
Another week, another Gold Coast injury list longer than the Glitter Strip. No. 4 draft pick Ben Ainsworth won’t be playing against the Dockers in Perth next Saturday after his knee gave way, nor will midfielder Alex Sexton who has suspected facial fractures after bravely throwing himself at a pack mark. Ex-Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts was hampered by a foot injury and looks unlikely to travel, while the Suns probably won’t risk Callum Ah Chee, who suffered concussion symptoms in a clash with Tigers defender Dylan Grimes. Young midfielder Brayden Fiorini is also in trouble with a hamstring injury. Rodney Eade described his team’s performance as “brave”, so it’s unlikely anyone will get the axe based on performance alone.
ON THE CUSP: Basically anyone who’s fit. The Suns NEAFL team was populated by almost a dozen AFL listed players, so there are options. The will he, won’t he saga with Gary Ablett will continue as he manages soft tissue injuries, with the trip to Perth not helping his likelihood of playing. Trent McKenzie picked up 31 disposals in the reserves and was best afield, while Jack Bowes, Mitch Hallahan and Ryan Davis were impressive. If Witts doesn’t play, Daniel Currie is the obvious replacement.
KYLE POLLARD’S FORECAST: The Suns were gutsy against the Tigers but without the troops you’ll never win the war. It’ll be a daunting trip to Fremantle with so many blokes on their injury list and with finals completely out of the question, it’ll interesting to see if Eade throws the kids in together to get some games under their belts.
GWS
INJURIES
Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Will Setterfield (knock) test
Toby Greene (suspended) Round 21 return
Matt Buntine (knee) Season
Jeremy Finlayson (knee) 4 weeks
Steve Johnson (knee) Test
Shane Mumford (ankle) TBC
Ryan Griffen (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Tim Taranto (ankle) 4-6 weeks
Adam Kennedy (knee) Season
Sam Reid (ankle) Test
ON THE BLOCK: GWS has been rocked by the news that spearhead Jeremy Cameron will miss at least another three weeks after re-injuring his hamstring. Will Setterfield was concussed in Saturday’s win over Fremantle and is unlikely to recover for this week’s critical match against Melbourne in Canberra. Harry Perryman will also come under pressure to hold his spot after a quiet display against the Dockers.
ON THE CUSP: Brett Deledio played 80 per cent of the NEAFL match against Gold Coast and had plenty of the football with 25 possessions and eight marks, he will come into consideration along with Jacob Hopper and Harrison Himmelberg who both had strong performances against the Suns reserves.
GILBERT GARDINER FORECAST: After missing the entire season to date with a succession of calf injuries Brett Deledio is set to make his debut for the Giants in a huge match in Canberra. Jacob Hopper is close but will be given another week in the NEAFL and could be back for the following week when the Giants take on the Western Bulldogs.
HAWTHORN
INJURIES
Grant Birchall (knee) indefinite
James Cousins (shoulder) season
Jonathon Ceglar (ACL) indefinite
Jack Fitzpatrick (concussion) indefinite
James Frawley (toe) indefinite
Josh Gibson (groin) test
Jaeger O’Meara (knee) 1-2 weeks
Jonathan O’Rourke (hamstring) test
Paul Puopolo (adductor) test
Cyril Rioli (PCL) indefinite
Ben Stratton (knee) season
Blake Hardwick (concussion) test
ON THE BLOCK: A settled line-up and a firing line-up. Jarryd Roughead and Daniel Howe clashed heads early on Friday night, but the former kicked the critical last-quarter goal and the latter towelled up Josh Kennedy in his 200th match. Both will be fine to take on the Tigers on Sunday.
ON THE CUSP: Paul Puopolo and Josh Gibson are close to returning, while Jaeger O’Meara is back training. Grant Birchall and Cyril Rioli are also tracking well, but Ben Stratton will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery last Wednesday. Teia Miles kicked five goals in the VFL win, and while Ty Vickery booted three goals he looks a fair way off as the Hawks prepare to take on his old side. It’s still a long injury list, so it’s a surprise the Hawks are still finding ways to win. Had they got over GWS and then beaten Geelong, we’d almost be talking finals. Clarko has to be happy with the way things are going. Can’t see too many changes, although the big fella Marc Pittonet will be champing at the bit after being in the best for Box Hill and Teia Miles kicked a couple of goals to put his name forward.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S FORECAST: The Alastair Clarkson legend grows by the week. Clarkson masterminded the win against Sydney with his magnet-spinning and six-week revamp making a mockery of the lengthy rebuild processes. How would Essendon or Richmond fans feel watching the Hawks’ expedite their transition? The Dons haven’t won a final since 2004 and the Tigers 2001. Clarkson says the past six weeks have built “enormous belief” in the group … “and that can take you a long way”.
MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Jesse Hogan (broken collarbone) TBC
Tom Bugg (suspended) Available round 22
Lochie Filipovic (hip) 1-2 weeks
Colin Garland (knee) Season
Nathan Jones (quad) Test
Pat McKenna (hamstring) Season
Aaron vandenBerg (heel) Season
Dean Kent (shoulder) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Just when he was starting to find some form in a wretched season, power forward Jesse Hogan faces a long stint on the sidelines with that broken collarbone. While Simon Goodwin wouldn’t rule him out for the rest of the season, it can be a painful and slow-healing injury, making a potential finals return his best hope — if they even make it. Mitch Hannan hardly went near it.
ON THE CUSP: Reckon the Dees could ask young buck Sam Weideman to step in and fill the void left by Hogan after his three-goal, 20 touch effort on the weekend. Angus Brayshaw completed his second game back from concussion and collected 22 touches. Might need more time, but Corey Wagner is cooking, finding a mountain of the footy and deserves a call-up.
MICK RANDALL’S FORECAST: Ominous bad signs for the Dees. Had to beat North to be taken seriously, but it was the Demons of old. And now they have to go to Canberra and take on a GWS side that is just starting to get healthy. Couldn’t possibly tip them, but this season has been one out of the bag and it would surprise no one if they went up there and came away with the four points.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Jarrad Waite (calf) TBC
Paul Ahern (knee) Season
Mitch Hibberd (shoulder) Season
Ben Jacobs (leg) Season
Jamie Macmillan (finger) Season
Oscar Junker (broken tibia) 1-3 weeks
Nick Larkey (knee) 1 week
Robbie Tarrant (back) Test
Ed Vickers-Willis (PCL) Season
Marley Williams (back) TBC
Mason Wood (calf) Test
Sam Wright (foot/ankle) TBC
Kayne Turner (knee) 1-2 weeks
Corey Wagner (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Declan Watson (knee) Season
ON THE BLOCK: Death, taxes and Jarrad Waite appearing on the injury list. Waite pinged a calf during the Roos thrilling win over Melbourne and sat on the bench for most of the second half.
ON THE CUSP: Still figuring out the ruck conundrum and it doesn’t get any easier with Todd Goldstein going back to the VFL and absolutely dominating. Do they play three ruckmen? Probably not, but which way do they go? Lindsay Thomas kicked four goals and should come under strong consideration this week,
MICK RANDALL’S FORECAST: With Waite on the rack, the Roos showed plenty of fight to keep the Dees’ at bay, but it doesn’t get any easier. An all-of-a-sudden burden-free Collingwood is among the form sides of the competition. The Pies are unbeaten in their last three and pushed top side Adelaide all the way to a thrilling draw on the weekend. Is Goldy part of the future? Playing in the VFL would suggest no, but it’s also hurting his trade value.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Todd Marshall (concussion) TBC
Chad Wingard (ankle) 2-3 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Matt White struggled in the come-from-behind win against St Kilda with just nine disposals and 35 SuperCoach points while Rising Star contender Sam Powell-Pepper had has worst game of his strong rookie season with 10 touches and 31 SuperCoach points. But with star playmaker Chad Wingard still sidelined with a bad ankle injury, coach Ken Hinkley is unlikely to make too many — if any — changes for Sunday’s Showdown 43 against archrival Adelaide.
ON THE CUSP: No-one out of the AFL team had a chance on the weekend to push their case for promotion because Port’s SANFL team had the bye. From the previous week’s big win against Glenelg, Brendon Ah Chee was a standout with 28 disposals and three goals while pacy forward Aidyn Johnson impressed with three classy goals.
ANDREW CAPEL FORECAST: Power coach Ken Hinkley is likely to stick with the 22 men who helped keep the club’s top-four hopes alive when all looked lost with a minute to play against St Kilda.
RICHMOND
INJURIES
Jack Riewoldt (eye) Test
Reece Conca (foot) TBC
Nathan Drummond (Knee) Season
Shaun Hampson (back) Indefinite
Steven Morris (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Jack Graham (ankle) Test
Ben Griffiths (shoulder) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Shai Bolton and Dan Butler were both quiet but the Tigers don’t want to mess with their small forward brigade. Will they persist with two rucks when Jack Riewoldt returns?
ON THE CUSP: Riewoldt is expected to play after he missing the win against the Suns with a nasty eye injury. The star forward needed surgery following a poke in the eye at training. Dion Prestia’s return date is less certain as he battles Achilles tightness. Jayden Short had 27 touches in the VFL after being dropped and Ben Lennon keeps kicking goals in the magoos but the standout was draftee Jack Graham who had 33 disposals in the win against North Ballarat.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Far from a polished performance at Metricon but the Tigers are finally ahead in their head-to-head ledger against the Suns and they keep winning, which is the most important thing. If the Saints had held on for 14 more seconds a top-four spot would be almost in the bag, as it is it’s Richmond’s to lose but the next two weeks are massive. The reborn Hawks are next up followed by a trip to the Cattery. Win one of those and the Tiger train will be heading for September at full steam, drop both and all of a sudden they are back in the mix for fifth-10th.
ST KILDA
INJURIES
Sam Gilbert (hand) 2 weeks
Hugh Goddard (foot) Season
Nick Coughlan (hamstring) Indefinite
Nathan Freeman (ankle) 4-6 weeks
Leigh Montagna (hamstring) 4-5 weeks
Paddy McCartin (concussion) Indefinite
Darren Minchington (ankle) Season
Koby Stevens (groin) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Dan McKenzie and Mav Weller didn’t cement their spots in the side while Jade Gresham and Jack Lonie were also quiet. Plenty of Saints will be taking extra goalkicking practice.
ON THE CUSP: Not a lot to get excited about in the VFL with Sandringham going down to Box Hill and Nathan Wright the only notable name in the best players. But there will be some big names returning with Nick Riewoldt a certain starter and Koby Stevens and Paddy McCartin a chance.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: What a difference 14 seconds can make. Upset Port Adelaide and the Saints were right back in the finals hunt. But letting Robbie Gray run around the back of Paddy Ryder at a boundary throw-in has made the task of making the finals almost impossible. The Saints are just one game out of the eight but with a poor percentage they would have to win all four remaining games and hope teams above them falter. At least the fact they play West Coast and Melbourne the next two weeks gives them the chance to shape their own destiny. Should be inspired for retiring superstar Nick Riewoldt.
SYDNEY SWANS
INJURIES
Josh Kennedy (hamstring) Test
Jake Lloyd (hip tightness) Test
Gary Rohan (back spasms) Test
Sam Reid Groin Test
Darcy Cameron (shoulder) Season
Robbie Fox (ankle) 3-5 weeks
Colin O’Riordan (ankle) Test
ON THE BLOCK: Sam Naismith (corked thigh) played out the match but was very sore as was Josh Kennedy (hamstring tightness) they are both 50-50 to play against Geelong on Friday. Late inclusions Jordan Foote and Dan Robinson will make way for Lloyd and Rohan’s expected returns.
ON THE CUSP: Kurt Tippett is a massive chance of returning for just his sixth game this season. The Swans reserves had the bye so he didn’t play this weekend but kicked five goals last week and put in extra training over the weekend. Late withdrawals from Friday night’s loss to Hawthorn Jake Lloyd (hip) and Gary Rohan (back spasm) are strong chances of playing as is Sam Reid (groin) who has missed the last two matches.
NEIL CORDY FORECAST: The Swans spot in the finals is a long way from secured and face a huge job against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. Kennedy and Naismith are worries but the four potential inclusions (Lloyd, Rohan, Reid and Tippett) would more than balance out the losses.
WEST COAST EAGLES
INJURIES
Matthew Allen (foot) Season
Sam Butler (hamstring) 1 week
Tom Gorter (quad) Test
Lewis Jetta (calf) TBC
Eric Mackenzie (hamstring) Test
Nic Naitanui (knee) season
Matt Priddis (quad) TBC
Josh Rotham (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Daniel Venables (toe) Indefinite
ON THE BLOCK: No injury concerns and not many obvious names to send back to the WAFL after a 68-point win. Malcolm Karpany didn’t see a lot of the footy and Jackson Nelson had one blistering run that took him virtually the length of the ground but only had 11 touches.
ON THE CUSP: Matt Priddis will return from quad soreness and Nathan Vardy’s glute will be assessed. Chris Masten had 38 disposals for East Perth.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Back on their home deck against the bottom side — this was hardly a surprise. But the win vaults the Eagles back in the eight and with a nice percentage gap against the Bulldogs. To stay there they will need to do another demolition job on the Blues at Subiaco and win at least two of their other three games against St Kilda (Etihad Stadium), GWS (Spotless Stadium) and Adelaide (Subiaco). IF they make it they will have earnt it.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURIES
Stewart Crameri (hip) Season
Josh Dunkley (shoulder) 2 weeks
Marcus Adams (foot) Indefinite
Lin Jong (knee) Season
Roarke Smith (knee) Season
Jake Stringer (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Fergus Greene (arm) 1-2 weeks
Brad Lynch (hamstring) 5-6 weeks
Tom Boyd (mental health) Indefinite
Tom Campbell (abdominal strain) Test
Dale Morris (broken arm) 6-8 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Luke Beveridge is facing a dilemma this week. Jack Redpath has served his one-week suspension, while Matthew Boyd was held over from the VFL and Josh Dunkley is just about ready to return. Could be a tough week at the selection table at Whitten Oval this week.
ON THE CUSP: In the coach’s own words, “it’d be hard to omit anyone from that team” that beat Essendon on Sunday. Travis Cloke contributed both to the scoreboard and in the ruck and certainly did enough to keep his spot, as did other inclusions.
LAUREN WOOD’S FORECAST: It’s been a tremendously solid three weeks from the reigning premiers and it begs the question — are they timing their run into September beautifully? A relatively healthy list means Beveridge will have a tricky week at the selection table before the Dogs hit the road to face Brisbane at the Gabba. In theory, it should be four points for the Dogs as they look to regain their spot inside the top eight, but as this season has shown, absolutely anything can happen. But they’re hitting their straps and will be looking to further build that momentum. They should do just that.
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