Barometer: All the latest injury news at your club after Round 2
The injury bug has bitten a number of big clubs but reinforcements are on the way. After a massive Round 2, see every club’s injury list and get exclusive analysis on who is likely to return.
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Hawthorn premiership duo Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne will be on the sidelines for at least three weeks following their hamstring blows against the Western Bulldogs.
The Hawks confirmed on Tuesday that both injuries came under the “standard” hamstring grading.
The club is confident Shiels can return in the three week window while it expects that veteran superstar Burgoyne will need an extra week before he is back in the brown and gold.
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It is better injury news for gun off-season recruit Chad Wingard, who is closing in on making his Hawthorn debut.
“He is progressing really well and has had a really good block of work,” Hawthorn physical performance manager Luke Boyd said.
“He’ll train fully this week and will be a test to play.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne has confirmed Steven May will not play against Essendon this week.
However, the club is still unsure exactly how long he will be out of action.
“We’re still gathering information and looking to make a final diagnosis in the next couple of days,” Melbourne elite performance manager David Misson said on Tuesday.
“He’s obviously going to miss this week but hopefully not too many more.”
It is better news for small forward Jeff Garlett, who will be available for the Round 3 clash after recovering from a shoulder injury.
There’s mixed news for Carlton ahead of their clash with the Sydney Swans, with Charlie Curnow set to miss a few weeks but ruckman Matthew Kreuzer edging closer to a return.
Curnow, who landed awkwardly during Saturday’s loss to Port Adelaide, is set to miss three weeks with his knee injury.
But Kreuzer trained strongly on Tuesday to show he’s close to playing his first game for 2019.
Marc Murphy didn’t train during Tuesday’s session after receiving a knock during the loss to the Power, although the club says he’s being managed and should face the Swans.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide remains hopeful Jack Watts’ season isn’t over despite the former Demon undergoing surgery to repair serious injuries.
Watts suffered a partially dislocated ankle, a broken leg and damage to his syndesmosis when his legs were caught underneath him in a tackle during Saturday’s win over Carlton.
“He got one with the lot,” coach Ken Hinkley said.
“The good news is that surgery and everything else has gone really well. I spoke to Jack today and he’s a bit sore and sorry at the moment but he’s being positive about his outcomes and even our doctors are quite positive that, things going really well, the season of 2019 might not yet be done for Jack.
“But we’ll just hang in there and let him recover for a little bit.”
Watts was one of Port Adelaide’s best before suffering the injury, gathering 19 disposals before three-quarter time, backing up his standout Round 1 performance against Melbourne.
Hinkley said the circumstances, and timing, of his injury is “sad”.
“It’s incredibly sad for Jack from that point of view,” Hinkley said on AFL360. “He sort of got some even ground for the first time in his football career last week and everyone felt for him.
“To see that happen to him on Saturday evening is really sad because he was playing another very good game.
“But that’s just what happens in our game. It’s a brutal game and Jack will recover and make it back.”
A week after losing their superstar defender, Richmond will now be without Jack Riewoldt for at least a month and Bachar Houli (hamstring) for another week.
The news is better for Josh Caddy, who is pushing to return from an ankle injury this weekend.
Meanwhile, Melbourne is winless and gun recruit Steven May will miss Friday night’s clash agianst Essendon with a groin injury.
May was sent for scans on Monday, with the Demons unsure how long he will be sidelined for.
Where did your club finish in the wash-up and how is your injury list looking?
Check out this week’s barometer.
ADELAIDE
Lost Tom Doedee to a knee injury in Round 1 but the Crows’ defence didn’t miss a beat in the Round 2 win over Sydney. Biggest concern surrounds ruckman Sam Jacobs who “tweaked” his knee in the first half and spent 15 minutes in the rooms in the third quarter. He returned to play out the game but will be tested this week. Back-up ruckman Reilly O’Brien had 17 disposals, 21 hit-outs and three contested marks in the SANFL on the weekend and is on standby. Also in the reserves young forward Darcy Fogarty impressed playing in defence and midfielder Hugh Greenwood had 17 disposals and kicked 1.2 as he builds towards a senior return. - REECE HOMFRAY
Sam Jacobs (knee) TBC
Richard Douglas (ankle) indefinite
Shane McAdam (calf) 4 weeks
Luke Brown (ankle) 5-7 weeks
Tom Doedee (knee) Season
BRISBANE
Brisbane’s senior players haven’t had much cause to urge their teammates to keep a lid on things in recent years but that’s exactly what happened in the rooms after their 20 point victory over the Kangaroos. The Lions have made their best start to a season since 2010 but the focus was immediately directed to Port Adelaide next week. Dan McStay will undergo scans on Monday on his cheek/jaw after copping a knock to the face and is the only Lion with any major injury concern. Cam Rayner suffered a corked thigh that required treatment but he finished the game and remains a chance to play next week. Cedric Cox kicked three goals in the NEAFL and Allen Christensen two so there are in form replacements available. A tackle from veteran Luke Hodge on Tarryn Thomas may attract the scrutiny of the MRO. – ANDREW HAMILTON
Marcus Adams (knee) 1-2 weeks
Cam Rayner – (cork) test
Dan McStay – (face) scans
Jack Payne – (stress fracture) 4 weeks
Brandon Starcevich (hamstring) 8 weeks
Jack Payne (shin) 4 weeks
CARLTON
Carlton fans across the world let out a sigh of relief on Sunday when it was announced Charlie Curnow had avoided doing serious damage to his knee. However, he will still be out of action for a few weeks. Curnow might not be the only change for this week’s crunch clash with the Swans. Jarrod Garlett didn’t have much impact against Port Adelaide, finishing the match with just 15 touches. Off-season signing Alex Fasolo contributed nine touches and a goal but the Blues will be wanting a bigger output than that moving forward. Andrew Phillips has battled hard in the ruck over the opening two weeks of the season but his time at the top could be coming to an end, with Matthew Kreuzer closing in on making his debut appearance for the year. Jack Silvagni and Matthew Kennedy both got through a practice game for the Northern Blues and will be knocking on the door. – LIAM TWOMEY
Charlie Curnow (knee) 2-3 weeks
Caleb Marchbank (back) 1-2 weeks
Jarrod Pickett (knee) Indefinite
Tom Williamson (back) TBC
Tom De Koning (knee) 8-10 weeks
Sam Docherty (knee) Indefinite
Darcy Lang (foot) TBC
Matthew Kreuzer (knee) Test
Harrison Macreadie (back) 2-3 weeks
COLLINGWOOD
Gun midfielder Taylor Adams will push to return from a finger problem for the Grand Final rematch against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday night. It would further strengthen a midfield group which is already considered one of the AFL’s most damaging, after a big win against Richmond last week. But the most interesting aspect of this battle will be the aerial contests. The Magpies have conceded they were beaten in the air the three times they took on the Eagles last year. But Collingwood has regained Darcy Moore from injury and have added Jordan Roughead. The two talls have started the season strongly and will provide more coverage against Josh Kennedy and Co. The Magpies lost Lynden Dunn to a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament. The veteran wrecked his knee in his comeback match in the VFL after a knee reconstruction on the same knee last year. The Pies are shattered for him. - JAY CLARK
Lynden Dunn (knee) Indefinite
Will Kelly (ankle) 2-3 weeks
Nathan Murphy (calf) 1-2 weeks
Ben Reid (quad) 2-3 weeks
Matt Scharenberg (knee) 10 weeks
Taylor Adams (finger) Test
Tim Broomhead (leg) Test
Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee) 3 weeks
Daniel Wells (foot) 4 weeks
ESSENDON
What’s wrong with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and how long can the Bombers persists with him before giving him a refresh through the VFL?
Two games, 12 touches, no goals and minimal impact hasn’t made for easy viewing.
As important as ‘Tippa’ is when he is firing, his place in the team must be becoming more tenuous by the week until he can recapture the form we love seeing.
He was ineffectual against the Saints, but in fairness, the delivery into him — and at times Orazio Fantasia — was nothing short of shambolic.
Even allowing for that, McDonald-Tipungwuti couldn’t fire when the ball was in his vicinity and the Bombers desperately need him to be back in form again.
Will Woosha give him one more chance against the Demons? — GLENN MCFARLANE
Josh Begley Knee TBC
Cale Hooker Calf 3 weeks
Jake Long Shoulder 1 week
Joe Daniher Calf 4 weeks
Matt Dea Knee 3 weeks
FREMANTLE
What a horror loss for the Dockers. The positive vibes from the Round 1 smashing of North Melbourne have disappeared and there will be a lot to think about on the long flight back to Perth. Something appears to be up with Michael Walters. He finished the match against North Melbourne on the bench after a late knock and never got into Sunday’s loss to the Suns. Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw are taking some time to warm into the new season but they have to keep playing. They are this club’s future. Dockers coach Ross Lyon was impressed with Jesse Hogan’s first hitout for the club. “I thought he was very good. He’ll only get better,” Lyon said. “He really worked into it. His ability to go (in the) midfield really helped us and gave us a lift in there.” – LIAM TWOMEY
Aaron Sandilands (calf) TBC
Luke Valente (groin) Test
Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Harley Bennell (calf) TBC
Brennan Cox (hamstring) 3 weeks
Connor Blakely (hamstring) 4 weeks
Stephen Hill (quad) TBC
Shane Kersten (foot) TBC
GEELONG
Gary Ablett looks set to play Adelaide on Thursday night despite coach Chris Scott saying the plan had been to give the veteran a week off.
A five-day turnaround and trip to Adelaide seemed a logical time to give the little champ a rest, although Scott said Ablett’s early-season form and fitness meant he was likely to make the trip.
“This is one we earmarked but we decided not go that way because he’s in such good shape,” Scott told reporters on Tuesday.
“He won’t play every game this year. Only two games in, albeit with a short break, it’s not quite the right time (for him to rest).
“But there will be weeks where discretion will be the better part of valour.”
Scott confirmed Lachie Henderson would come in for his first senior match of 2019 with young defender Jack Henry (hamstring tightness) to miss.
Geelong has hit 2019 running, and while the hunger appears at heightened levels, so too is the good vibes at the club.
Late in Saturday night’s mauling of the Dees Tom Hawkins could have blasted through another from the goal line but instead waited before handing first-year defender Jordan Clark his first AFL major.
“I think it’s a reflection of the level of care that’s within the group,” Scott said.
“I think the fact that that was even on his mind reflects the attitude that our players have at the moment, and that is one of looking after their teammates as much as possible.” — BEN BROAD
Jack Henry (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Jed Bews (groin) 1-2 weeks
Nakia Cockatoo (adductor) Indefinite
Scott Selwood (hamstring) 2-4 weeks
Zach Tuohy (knee) 2-4 weeks
Lachie Fogarty (hip) 2-3 weeks
GOLD COAST
Suns coach Stuart Dew was forced to shift the magnets late to find his best 22 for the club’s win over Fremantle but the question remains if he will do it again this week. Defender Jesse Joyce was rushed into the side to replace Suns leader and midfielder George Horlin-Smith who was a late withdrawal from the Gold Coast team who beat the Dockers due to back tightness. It’s uncertain if the seemingly minor problem will lead to a prolonged stint on the sideline but Dew will be looking at his options closely in the coming days. Joyce is an obvious keeper given his strong performance in a winning side while two men who may not be available are draftee Jez McLennan and Corey Ellis. McLennan hurt his knee playing for the Suns reserves on Sunday while former Richmond payer Ellis injured his ankle in the same game. Callum Ah Chee has been unavailable due to personal reasons while Aaron Young, who played all 22 games last year, could provide some experience. – TOM BOSWELL
Corey Ellis (anke) TBC
Callum Ah Chee (personal reasons) TBC
Ben Ainsworth (knee) 4-6 weeks
Izak Rankine (hamstring) 4-6 weeks
Josh Corbett (knee) 1-3 weeks
Josh Schoenfeld (ankle) 2-4 weeks
Rory Thompson (knee) Season
Harrison Wigg (knee) Season
Sam Fletcher (ankle) TBC
Sean Lemmens (ankle) 3-5 weeks
GWS
It’s never nice to lose by 50 points. But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Giants, who will be left to wonder what could have been after a wasteful opening quarter and a half. GWS owned the ball and the inside 50 count but didn’t make the most of it and were eventually run all over in the second half. The reinforcements should be on the way though. Josh Kelly has been close for two weeks and perhaps the club thought it would be better to save him for this week’s home clash rather than have his first game of the year on the other side of the country. Toby Greene was out with soreness, so you’d think he would be right to go to take on the Tigers after an extended break. Phil Davis will be one to watch this week. He took a shot to the eye against the Eagles and finished the match on the bench. – LIAM TWOMEY
Phil Davis (eye) TBC
Toby Greene (soreness) Test
Jye Caldwell (groin) TBC
Aidan Corr (groin) TBC
Josh Kelly (hip/knee) Test
Zac Langdon (foot) 3-4 weeks
Jon Patton (knee) TBC
Harry Perryman (punctured lung) TBC
Callan Ward (knee) 2-3 weeks
HAWTHORN
Hawthorn’s 19-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Sunday came at a cost with hamstring injuries to Shaun Burgoyne and Liam Shiels.
The pair finished the match on the bench and the club will await scans to determine the severity of the injuries.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said he was unable to shed any light on how serious the injuries were - or who would be in the frame to replace the pair for Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne at the MCG.
“I just knew they couldn’t come onto the ground ... we will get scans during the week,” Clarkson said.
“I just know they’re soft-tissue stuff (and) that they couldn’t come back on the ground ... once the call comes from the docs that they’re out, we don’t worry about what it is.
“We will work that out (who comes in) during the week. You lose one or two and you just replace them with one or two, pretty simple formula.”
Despite the result, it was a positive return to AFL football for midfield recruit Tom Scully, who got through unscathed in his first match in 12 months.
“It was just great that he gets through a game of footy and he will get better for the run,” Clarkson said.
“He missed all the JLT games so this was his first decent trot despite doing some match simulation stuff at training.
“So he will just get better and better for us as he gets more and more match conditioning in terms of his game play and also he gets to learn how we play and some of our systems and we are hopeful he can be a good contributor for us.”
Clarkson said last week fellow recruit Chad Wingard was a “week or two” behind Scully in his recovery from a calf injury.- REBECCA WILLIAMS
Shaun Burgoyne (hamstring) 4 weeks
Liam Shiels (hamstring) 3 weeks
Grant Birchall (calf) Indefinite
Darren Minchington (hamstring) 3-5 weeks
Tom Mitchell (leg) Season
Chad Wingard (calf) Test
Tim Mohr Dislocated (knee) Season
MELBOURNE
Recruit Steven May’s debut for Melbourne could not have gone much worse, an 80-point loss to Geelong compounded by the former Gold Coast Suns captain hurting his groin.
While May returned to the ground after the first-quarter injury and played out 69 minutes, coach Simon Goodwin said post-game the defender “didn’t feel like he had any power”. He has been ruled out of the clash against Essendon on Friday night, with the Demons unsure how long he will miss.
The defence was a worry against the Cats, who were able to record 26 scoring shots from just 48 inside-50s.
But at the other end, the Demons also need to fix the connection between their midfield and forward line after 73 inside-50s resulted in just six goals.
Goodwin has no shortage of headaches ahead of a crunch game with fellow 0-2 side Essendon on Friday night.
Another loss there would spell Dee-saster. — CHRIS CAVANAGH
Steven May (groin) TBC
Mitch Hannan (knee) 6-10 weeks
Jay Kennedy Harris (leg) 10-12 weeks
Jake Lever (knee) 6-10 weeks
Jordan Lewis (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Joel Smith (groin) 5 weeks
Tim Smith (calf) Test
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) 4 weeks
Guy Walker (shoulder) Indefinite
NORTH MELBOURNE
What would Brad Scott do for a fit Ben Jacobs and Jed Anderson and two Jack Ziebells?
The clash against Brisbane was much better than the horror show against Fremantle but there is still work to be done.
The newbies and recycled recruits have all provided bang for their buck so far - Tarryn Thomas kicked his first goal and Bailey Scott was excellent in Round 1.
But as Brad Scott bemoaned Lachie Neale’s brilliance in the centre square and the Lions’ dominance, you knew he would love to be able to dispatch Jacobs to the opposition’s best mid.
Scott is open to playing Ziebell in the midfield to add some centre square punch but with Mason Wood dropped he probably needs him up forward.
Does he pull the trigger after leaving him forward all game on Sunday?
So he will tackle Hawthorn without any reinforcements, apart from potentially Trent Dumont (calf), aware the Roos are an improving side that has to be at their very best to eke out wins so far. JON RALPH
Majak Daw (pelvis/hips) Indefinite
Jed Anderson (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) Season
Will Walker (PCL) TBC
Sam Wright (quad) 2-3 weeks
Tristan Xerri (osteitis pubis) TBC
Ben Jacobs (sinusitis) Indefinite
Tom McKenzie (back) TBC
Sam Durdin (finger) 2-4 weeks
PORT ADELAIDE
A week sure is a long time in football. Just seven days after his best game in years, Jack Watts now faces a long stint on the sidelines with a partially dislocated right ankle and broken right fibula. “Jack underwent successful surgery earlier (Sunday) and will commence his rehab process as soon as possible,” Port Adelaide head of medical services Tim O’Leary said. “Jack has obviously suffered a serious injury and will therefore be sidelined for an extended period of time. It’s too early to be putting a specific timeline on his recovery at this stage.” Meanwhile, Port Adelaide midfielder Karl Amon suffered a medial sprain in his left knee against the Blues. Amon will undergo scans on Monday to determine the extent of the injury. – LIAM TWOMEY
Jack Watts (leg) Indefinite
Karl Amon (knee) TBC
Charlie Dixon (leg/ankle) TBC
Jarrod Lienert (knee) 2-3 weeks
Jake Patmore (knee) Season
Sam Hayes (knee) TBD
Ollie Wines (shoulder) 1-2 weeks
Riley Grundy (knee) 2-3 weeks
RICHMOND
Damien Hardwick will coach without All-Australian bookends Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance for the first time in his career this week, while Dylan Grimes is also set to miss through suspension. That should open the door for either Ryan Garthwaite or Noah Balta to come in, and if the Tigers opt for Garthwaite in the backline then Balta could play forward in Jack’s absence. Richmond’s small forwards haven’t been at their harassing, attacking best and Jacob Townsend has pressed his claims in the VFL practice match circuit. Jack Ross is close to a debut while Conor Menadue was discussed at match committee last week. Can Toby Nankervis continue one-out in the ruck? Or will Ivan Soldo get a guernsey? Hardwick has so far been desperate to stick to the structure he knows best and play one ruckman although with Riewoldt injured that’s probably going to require Tom Lynch to pinch-hit. Richmond was ranked last for pressure after its Round 2 loss and 16th for creating forward-half turnovers — it’s system in sharp need of fine-tuning. It’ll be a big week on the track for the Tigers and with extra emphasis on tackling drills after letting so many Magpies slip last week. — SAM LANDSBERGER
Ben Miller (appendicitis) 1-2 weeks
Bachar Houli (hamstring) 1-2 week
Dylan Grimes (suspension) Round 4
Josh Caddy (ankle) test
Jack Riewoldt (arm) 4 weeks
Shaun Grigg (knee) indefinite
Alex Rance (knee) season
ST KILDA
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson was full of praise for Rowan Marshall’s role on Tom Bellchambers on Saturday, but the Saints are edging closer to having first-choice ruckman Billy Longer back.
Longer, who has been battling a hamstring injury, will need some game time and match conditioning in the VFL.
But his return — likely to be in the VFL opener against Footscray on Friday — will give the Saints greater flexibility in terms of their big men options.
Saturday’s win over Essendon also gave Saints fans an exciting look into the future concerning young gun Jade Gresham, who was best afield through the midfield.
With the addition of Dean Kent and Matt Parker into the forward line this season, it has allowed Richardson and his coaching staff the luxury of releasing Gresham and Jack Billings into centre of the ground.
That’s a massive plus for the Saints as Gresham and Billings threaten to become the A-grade players that the Saints have been calling out for.
Consider these numbers for Gresham — 25 touches, 12 contested, 5 clearances, 16 pressure acts, two assists, seven scoring involvements and two goals (the last of which was the sealer to take the Saints to a 2-0 start). — GLENN MCFARLANE
Jack Bytel (back) Season
Billy Longer (hamstring) 1 week
Paddy McCartin (concussion) TBC
Dylan Roberton (heart) Season
Dan Hannebery (hamstring/calves) Indefinite
Max King (knee) 5-10 weeks
Jake Carlisle (back) Indefinite
Oscar Clavarino (ankle) 3-5 weeks
SYDNEY
Has it finally happened? After years of defying the odds, are the Swans in for a serious tumble down the ladder? The warning bells that were ringing after round one are now pounding after a loss on their home deck to the Crows. In perhaps the only positive, Sydney got through the match without any fresh injury concerns. However, it would be a brave tipster who thinks there won’t be any changes to this line-up. Ryan Clarke was quiet with just nine possessions while Colin O’Riordan would be a little nervous too. Youngsters Nick Blakey and Ben Ronke didn’t see much action. However, these kids need to be given every opportunity to succeed at the top level. The Swans have broken the 100-point barrier once in their past 12 games. The personnel might not be the issue here. Perhaps it is the game-plan that needs a shake-up. – LIAM TWOMEY
Sam Naismith (knee) TBC
Durak Tucker (knee) Indefinite
Matthew Ling (toe) Indefinite
Jack Maibaum (knee) Season
Daniel Menzel (groin) 4-6 weeks
WEST COAST
The Eagles’ only concern out of Saturday night’s win was a knee injury to Liam Duggan. The midfielder copped the hit in the first quarter but managed to return to the field. Eagles coach Adam Simpson said after the game Duggan would be monitored throughout the week. However, that isn’t the only headache facing Simpson. The premiership coach now needs to figure out a way to fit Jamie Cripps and Andrew Gaff into a side that just won by 50 points. Cripps has recovered from a toe injury and got through a WAFL practice match over the weekend while Gaff has now served his eight-match ban for striking Andrew Brayshaw. It is an embarrassment of riches for the Eagles. – LIAM TWOMEY
Liam Duggan (knee) TBC
Jarrod Cameron (foot) Test
Xavier O’Neill (knee) Test
Willie Rioli (foot) TBC
Will Schofield (quad) Test
Nic Naitanui (knee) Indefinite
WESTERN BULLDOGS
What a start to the season from the Bulldogs! Two weeks in and they’ve knocked off two top eight sides from last year in Sydney and Hawthorn. Who saw that coming? The club’s only injury concern out of Sunday was Bailey Williams, who was a late out with the Doggies saying he was being rested. He was replaced in the starting 22 by Lewis Young. The Dogs are a huge chance of going 3-0, with the club drawn to take on the Gold Coast this week. The big injury concern during the week was Matthew Suckling but he showed no signs of any ankle issue, finishing with 29 touches, nine marks and two tackles. – LIAM TWOMEY
Tom Boyd (back) 3-5 weeks
Jason Johannisen (ankle) 2-4 weeks
Lin Jong (hamstring) 3-5 weeks
Buku Khamis (knee) 3-5 weeks
Dale Morris (knee) Indefinite
Liam Picken (concussion) Indefinite
Lukas Webb (neck) Test
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