Barometer: Every AFL club’s injury list after Round 15
Carlton could be without two of its stars this weekend with Charlie Curnow to miss up to a month and Patrick Cripps yet to prove his fitness for Sunday’s clash with Melbourne. AFL INJURY NEWS
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Carlton forward Charlie Curnow is backing Blues high performance “wiz” Andrew Russell to help get him back on the park before the end of the month after suffering another knee injury on the weekend.
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The 22-year-old was on Tuesday still sporting a knee brace on his right leg after going down in the opening term of Sunday’s clash with Fremantle with what was later diagnosed as a medial ligament injury.
Curnow said he will “see how it goes” and “let the swelling go down a bit” but he hoped to miss as few as three games.
“They’re looking at about three to four weeks at the moment,” Curnow said.
“Russell might work some magic and get me back earlier hopefully. He’s a bit of a wiz at what he does so that would be handy.”
Curnow’s teammate and brother Ed expressed some concern over Charlie’s string of minor knee injuries after the Dockers’ game.
However, Charlie said he was confident it was not becoming a worrying pattern.
“We’ve got really good medical staff,” he said.
“I’ve just put my knee in some awkward positions and paid the price for it. I’m not too fussed. I’ve got good people around me and I’m looking forward to getting back.”
Meanwhile, the Blues say skipper Patrick Cripps will face a fitness test on his injured foot later this week after missing the win over the Dockers.
“Patrick will be a test this week. He ran (on Tuesday) and moved quite well,” Russell said.
“He’s a chance to play and we’ll see how he holds up under a bit of footy load later in the week.”
GAWN SAYS ANKLE INJURY ‘LOOKED GRIM’
Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn has opened up about the ‘disgusting’ moment inside the Demons’ rooms when he first saw the full extent of his ankle injury.
Gawn suffered the blow in the second quarter against the Lions on Sunday and had to be helped from the field by Melbourne medical staff.
“It looked grim in the change rooms in the second quarter,” Gawn told RSN Radio.
“When I first took my boot off it was disgusting. It had blown up like elephant man straight away. It was phenomenally big. To tape it, we struggled to get my boot back on.
“Once we got the boot back on I actually went for a little walk and I said, ‘I might be able to go out there for the last minute (of the second quarter).’
“I went out there and it wasn’t too bad so the third quarter was all right and the fourth quarter was horrible and I sat on the bench for the last 10 (minutes).”
Despite the ugly nature of the injury, Gawn hasn’t given up on playing this week.
The All-Australian has been waking up at all hours of the night to ice his ankle in a bid to get it right.
“I’m not great at reading scans but the doc reckons that it is nothing unbelievably serious,” he said.
“Obviously for it (his ankle) to be that big, it has to be something. I’ve watched the video of it as well and it did look pretty grim.
“Everyone around the club is saying it should be something that, if I can get the swelling down, back end the week of training and then hopefully play Sunday.”
The Demons take on Carlton on Sunday.
HAMSTRING INJURY SIDELINES BULLDOG
Prolific Western Bulldogs half-back flanker Caleb Daniel could miss up to a month with a hamstring injury suffered in the club’s win over Port Adelaide.
The Bulldogs confirmed scans had revealed Daniel had suffered a “moderate grade hamstring injury”.
Daniel sat out the last 15 minutes of Saturday night’s clash with the problem.
“We didn’t want to take any risks with Caleb, so he sat out the last fifteen minutes of the game,” Dogs medical services manager Chris Bell said.
“Further assessment today has confirmed that Caleb has suffered a moderate grade hamstring injury.”
The only positive for the Bulldogs could be the return of Mitch Wallis from an ankle injury for Round 16.
“He will return to full training this week,” Bell told the club website.
“If he gets through training like we expect, he will return to availability this weekend.”
PIES SWEAT ON KEY MEN
Collingwood lost two key players — Ben Reid and Brayden Sier — by halftime of the Marvel Stadium clash with North Melbourne.
Reid suffered a calf injury and was ruled out of the game in the opening four minutes, while Sier was ruled out with concussion.
He walked gingerly to the bench and then went straight down the race to the rooms with medicos.
Reid had a quad issue in the pre-season, but was starting to find some form after winning his way back into the senior side.
He has kicked 10 goals from his seven games this season, and had been due to play his 150th game next week.
Collingwood's Ben Reid has headed for treatment after this marking contest early in the first quarter.#AFLPiesNorth pic.twitter.com/1tvGh7UWJu
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 29, 2019
Sier looked to have overcome a bone-crunching head-on collision with Kangaroos skipper Jack Ziebell in the first term.
Sier came from the field and spent time on the bench, but was able to come back on the ground moments later.
But after an assessment at the main break, he was ruled out of the contest with delayed concussion.
Kangaroo first-gamer Kyron Hayden was also ruled out with an achilles issue.
CATS WON’T TAKE RISKS ON DANGER
Geelong says it will take a cautious approach with Bronwlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield after he battled through injury in Friday night’s victory over Adelaide.
Coach Chris Scott hailed the star on-baller “one of the more tough players I have seen” after he battled on with a hip injury after being crunched in a marking contest by Crows defender Daniel Talia.
Dangerfield was limited to playing forward in the second half but still finished with 24 disposals, four marks and five tackles in Geelong’s 27-point triumph.
Scott said the club would take no risks when deciding whether Dangerfield took on Western Bulldogs in Round 16, describing the injury as a “hip flexor” issue.
“An extra day might help, but as I said, I have seen him hobbling with significant injuries and find a way to get up,” he said.
“We just don’t take risks with these guys. Admittedly I wasn’t involved in the conversation. The communication to me is he can go back on or he can’t.
“But I must say, the way he was moving, there was no real interest in us having him around the ball. He could play on, albeit only as a forward. That’s a good sign.”
Scott praised Dangerfield’s toughness after there were serious doubts about whether he would play on after halftime.
CRUNCH! 😱#AFLCatsCrows pic.twitter.com/bbfZO4lMIH
— AFL (@AFL) June 28, 2019
BELLCHAMBERS BLOW LEAVES DONS RUCK STOCKS BARE
Tom Bellchambers could miss the rest of the season after the ruckman suffered an achilles injury against Greater Western Sydney.
In what could be a huge blow for John Worsfold, Bellchambers faces a long stint on the sidelines.
But the Herald Sun understands the achilles isn’t ruptured, providing the Dons with a glimmer of hope as they hunt a finals spot.
It’s believed Bellchambers also strained his calf during the game.
The Essendon big man limped from the field late in the third quarter of the dramatic comeback win over the Giants.
It forced Shaun McKernan and Cale Hooker to fill the void in the tuck in the last quarter.
Bellchambers had his lower leg strapped as he was joined by teammates and friends in Port Melbourne on Friday to launch his new venture, Next Gen Minis, a footy program for toddlers, along with Melbourne player Jake Melksham.
“It’s a calf I think,’’
“It’s kind of where it attaches to your calf. It went bang, it exploded. So I think minimum six weeks,” Bellchambers said, adding he was going for scans this afternoon.
Check out all your club’s injuries — and potential inclusions — as the round unfolds in this week’s barometer.
ADELAIDE
Josh Jenkins is making rapid progress in his recovery from a knee injury and almost put his hand up for selection in next week’s Showdown.
Jenkins hyper-extended his right knee in the Round 14 win over Richmond and after initial fears he may have ruptured his ACL, was expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
But with the bye he has missed only one game so far which was Friday night’s loss to Geelong and after the Showdown could return to play Gold Coast on July 13.
Tom Lynch has been sorely missed with a calf injury the past three games and is all but certain to return for the Showdown while Wayne Milera will be tested after hurting his back last round and Taylor Walker who finished the Cats game with his elbow heavily strapped is expected to be OK.
A big question at selection is whether veteran Richard Douglas survives the cut after a quiet couple of weeks and is there a way for Sam Jacobs to get back into the side if Reilly O’Brien continues to hold down the No. 1 ruck spot? Only if Elliott Himmelberg makes way but after his two goals against Geelong that appears unlikely.
— Reece Homfray
INJURIES
Tom Doedee (knee) season
Josh Jenkins (knee) 1-2 weeks
Tom Lynch (calf) test
Ned McHenry (back) 1 week
Wayne Milera (back) test
Taylor Walker (elbow) test
BRISBANE LIONS
It’s been fifteen years since we could say this but the Brisbane Lions are one of the hardest teams to earn a game in at the moment. The injury list has just two names on it, perhaps three this week if Oscar McInerney does not pass concussion tests. And the NEAFL side is undefeated and coming off a 97-point thrashing of Redlands. Chris Fagan has choices and the players know it. Cam Rayner had the axe over his head two weeks ago but has lifted his rating considerably while Allen Christensen is playing each game like it might be his last. Alex Witherden was a late withdrawal from the side that defeated Melbourne and now finds himself in the unusual position of an anxious few days wondering whether he walks straight back in. Boom recruit Marcus Adams is the other player Fagan and his match committee want to get into the side but the two NEAFL matches he’s played since coming back from a knee injury have been massacres and he has not really been challenged deep in defence. Fagan is worried about this and swung him forward on Sunday to get him near the ball.
— Andrew Hamilton
INJURIES
Tom Cutler (foot) — 1 week
Connor Ballenden (ankle) — test
Oscar McInerney (concussion) — test.
CARLTON
The Blues will be without Charlie Curnow for up to a month after he injured his right knee in the first quarter of their stirring win over Fremantle. Curnow collided with Dockers defender Ethan Hughes and took no further part in the match. The Blues initial diagnosis was a low-grade medial issue, which was confirmed by scans. Mid-season draftee Josh DeLuca was named in Northern Blues’ best in his first VFL game after recovering from injury, while Darcy Lang and Hugh Goddard continued their consistent state league campaigns in the club’s loss to Geelong. Alex Fasolo was another standout in tough conditions. Interim coach David Teague has few major injury concerns to deal with, although Curnow being ruled out for 3-4 weeks could force him to reshuffle his team and return Levi Casboult to the forward line.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Sam Docherty (knee) Indefinite
Liam Stocker (foot) 1 week
Tom Williamson (back) Indefinite
Charlie Curnow (knee) 3-4 weeks
COLLINGWOOD
Nathan Buckley called Collingwood’s performance against North Melbourne embarrassing and questioned his players’ attack on the ball.
“Tonight was the first time that we probably saw some really average physical efforts from our boys,” he said after the match.
“There was one side that body lined the ball and ran hard and straight and there was another side that got out of the way a few times. It is not easy to say but that is the reality.”
Whack!
If this club wants to win a premiership in 2019, a response better come against Hawthorn this week. Ben Reid will miss after injuring his achillies. The match would have been his 150th for the Magpies. Meanwhile, there is also a serious cloud over Brayden Sier after he suffered a concussion and watched the second half from the bench. James Aish was a late out with hamstring soreness before Saturday’s horror show and will likely come straight back in. If the Magpies want toughness then Taylor Adams will provide that and then some. He hasn’t played since Round 7 after dealing with an adductor injury but is closing in on a return. If Buckley wants to freshen up the side even more than Isaac Quaynor should be in the mix. The Pies’ top pick in the draft has been showing good signs at VFL level and could provide the spark that has been missing.
— Liam Twomey
INJURIES
Ben Reid (achilles) TBC
Brayden Sier (concussion) TBC
James Aish (hamstring) test
Taylor Adams (groin) 1 week
Dayne Beams (hip) 8-12 weeks
Lynden Dunn (knee) season
Jamie Elliott (hamstring) test
Jeremy Howe (calf) 1-2 weeks
Will Kelly (leg) 2-4 weeks
Tom Langdon (knee) Indefinite
Nathan Murphy (ankle) Indefinite
Sam Murray (suspension) TBC
Jaidyn Stephenson (suspended) 8 weeks
Daniel Wells (knee) 8 weeks
Rupert Wills (calf) test
Tom Wilson (conditioning) TBC
ESSENDON
A club hit hard by injury copped more pain in that thrilling win over GWS.
Paddy Ambrose didn’t even get through the warm-up after straining his quad and Tom Bellchambers suffered a game-ending achilles injury in the shadows of three-quarter time.
It’s also believed Bellchambers strained his calf during the game but the achilles injury could sideline him for at least six weeks.
Aaron Francis was the late replacement for Ambrose, coming off a four-day break.
John Worsfold said he wasn’t sure if Jake Stringer would be fit to resume from a two-match absence with a leg injury next week.
“He’s a chance. I don’t know how much of a chance. We haven’t ruled him out of any week yet,” he said.
— Sam Edmund
INJURIES
Tom Bellchambers (achilles/calf) TBC
Patrick Ambrose (quad) TBC
Jake Stringer (leg) test
James Stewart (groin) test
Matt Guelfi (concussion/ribs) test
Devon Smith (knee) season
Joe Daniher (groin) season
Sam Draper (knee) season
FREMANTLE
The Dockers were left licking their wounds after a last-gasp loss to bottom side Carlton, with the only positive they avoided any serious injury issues. Ruckman Sean Darcy and skipper Nat Fyfe copped knocks but didn’t have any concerns finishing the game. Coach Ross Lyon will have no shortage of options if he chooses to swing the axe after Peel Thunder recorded a 79-point victory over Swan Districts in the WAFL. Mitch Crowden had 29 disposals and 10 tackles in the state league, while Travis Colyer bagged 2.2 and finished with 22 disposals. Defender Taylin Duman also gathered 21 disposals and reeled in six marks. First-choice ruckman Rory Lobb’s pending return from a knee injury will give Lyon more flexibility, with Darcy stating a strong case to stay in the team in recent weeks.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Harley Bennell (calf) TBC
Stefan Giro (knee) season
Stephen Hill (hamstring) 2 weeks
Jesse Hogan (foot) indefinite
Shane Kersten (foot) TBC
Rory Lobb (foot) 1 weeks
Alex Pearce (ankle) Season
Aaron Sandilands (calf) TBC
Matt Taberner (foot) Season
GEELONG
All eyes will again be star Patrick Dangerfield after the star Cat hobbled his way through Friday night’s win with a “hip flexor” injury.
Chris Scott lauded Dangerfield’s toughness after he returned from the field following a brutal second-term collision which left him limping and looking like he might be forced to sit the remainder of the game out.
“I’m not sure many players could keep going,” Scott said after the 27-point win.
“He is one of the more tough players that I’ve seen. I’ve seen a few.”
Scott said no risk would be taken with the Brownlow medallist, but said “he could play on (tonight) … that’s a good sign.”
The Cats’ front half looked a little short against the Crows as Rhys Stanley was shifted into attack as a second marking target, in part due to Mark Blicavs’ move to the ruck.
The second forward option has been a key to Geelong’s early-season success, but Esava Ratugolea looks at least another week off as he battles a hamstring injury.
Scott said omitted big man Darcy Fort was “a little unlucky” to be left out against Adelaide, so he will be a chance to come back against the Bulldogs. Gary Rohan should also come back in, while Scott Selwood, Charlie Constable and Wylie Buzza also press at the lower level.
— Ben Broad
INJURIES
Nakia Cockatoo (knee) 4-6 weeks
Jordan Cunico (ankle) 4-6 weeks
Patrick Dangerfield (hip) TBC
Lachie Henderson (shoulder) test
Sam Menegola (knee) 2-3 weeks
Quinton Narkle (hamstring) test
Gary Rohan (concussion) 1 week
Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
GOLD COAST
First-round draftee Ben King was assessed for concussion but returned as Gold Coast otherwise avoided any injury issues in its loss to Sydney. The Suns will be hopeful of regaining key defender Sam Collins (hip) in coming weeks, while Izak Rankine is a chance to debut after he had eight disposals and kicked a goal in his first NEAFL outing of the season. The No. 3 draftee’s debut year has been plagued by hamstring injuries but a senior debut would provide a welcome boost for the battling Suns. Key forward Josh Corbett is all but certain to earn a recall after he bagged six goals against Sydney’s reserves, while former Cat George Horlin-Smith was influential. Forward Aaron Young and halfback Jordan Murdoch were others who impressed in the NEAFL.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Ben Ainsworth (foot) 4 weeks
Jack Bowes (quad) 4 weeks
Sam Collins (hip) 1 week
Sam Fletcher (quad) 1-2 weeks
Sean Lemmens (ankle) test
Josh Schoenfeld (knee) 2-4 weeks
Rory Thompson (knee) season
Harrison Wigg (knee) season
Aaron Young (knee) test
GWS GIANTS
The bad news for the Giants this week is that it was confirmed Matt de Boer would miss eight weeks with a shoulder injury. The good news is they appeared to get through Thursday night’s one-goal loss to Essendon relatively unscathed.
Giants coach Leon Cameron confirmed that ruckman Shane Mumford would need to be managed in the final eight matches of the year.
The rigours of the season appear to be catching up with Mumford, who missed 12 months of the game prior to the 2019 season. The Giants next face in-form Brisbane at home next Sunday afternoon.
Lachie Whitfield is expected to take on the Lions after being sidelined by a collarbone injury, according to co-captain Phil Davis.
— Nick Smart
INJURIES
Aidan Corr (calf) 1 week
Jye Caldwell (calf) 1-2 weeks
Lachie Whitfield (collarbone) 2 weeks
Zach Sproule (knee) 3 weeks
Lachie Keeffe (hand) 4 weeks
Xavier O’Halloran (knee) 6 weeks
Matt de Boer (shoulder) 8 weeks
Jon Patton (knee) TBC
Callan Ward (knee) season
HAWTHORN
The unfamiliar sight of a September-less Hawthorn looms large with maybe only three games you could even consider pencilling in as “winnable” for the 5-9 Hawks in the run home.
Coach Alastair Clarkson has said he’s already thinking about what might happen in 2020 and whether that includes Grant Birchall remains to be seen.
The four-time premiership player got through his third VFL game on the weekend, in a Box Hill team which struggled to kick goals, but the 31-year-old is inching closer to a return.
Big man Mitchell Lewis also took seven marks in difficult conditions and remains a forward option.
After his lock down job on Elliot Yeo last week, expect Daniel Howe to take on one of the Magpie midfielders on Friday night. The only question is which one.
Returning personnel could include Jarryd Roughead after he missed the Eagles clash with sore ribs, but is unlikely to include Chad Wingard (hamstring) or Jack Scrimshaw (knee) with their respective recoveries slightly slower than expected.
— Russell Gould
INJURIES
Changkuoth Jiath (jaw) 1-3 weeks
Tom Mitchell (broken leg) indefinite
Tim Mohr (dislocated knee/ACL) season
Jack Scrimshaw (knee) 1 week
Mathew Walker (concussion) Test
Chad Wingard (hamstring) 1 week
NORTH MELBOURNE
How is it Ben Cunnington is still $51 to win the Brownlow Medal?
That remains a mystery to those at North Melbourne and to anyone who has seen in more than a handful of games this season.
Cunnington’s 37-disposal demolition of the Collingwood midfield — so often said to be the AFL’s best — took his possession tally beyond the 400-mark in 2019.
He is on track to push beyond his career-best 563 disposals from last year, and is averaging 28.8 touches per game this year.
Incredibly, he’s never been an All-Australian, but must be on track for inclusion in this year’s side following his outstanding form.
Caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw called Cunnington “one of the great midfielders of the comp.”
The sad point of the Roos’ win over the Magpies was the serious achilles injury suffered by first-gamer Kyron Hayden.
“It doesn’t look good for Kyron,” Rhyce Shaw said. “It looks pretty bad for the kid. That’s really disappointing because he has put in two months’ hard work. We’ve laid out a specific role for him … and he got his chance.
“I know all the boys are really disappointing, but you know how tight they are, they still get him in the group and sing the song.”
INJURIES
Majak Daw (pelvis/hips) indefinite
Aaron Hall (knee) 1 week
Shaun Higgins (AC joint) 3-4 weeks
Ben Jacobs (head/neck) indefinite
Jamie Macmillan (calf) test
Tom McKenzie (back) TBC
Bailey Scott (foot) indefinite
Dom Tyson (calf) test
Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) season
Will Walker (knee) indefinite
Tom Wilkinson (ankle) 1 week
Sam Wright (ankle) test
PORT ADELAIDE
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says his side is unreliable and untrustworthy after a damaging 25-point loss to Western Bulldogs that left it with a 7-7 win-loss record. Port hasn’t won consecutive games since Round 6.
Port’s decision to overlook hardened bodies backfired in wet conditions. Willem Drew, Kane Farrell, Steve Motlop face the chop. Skipper Ollie Wines also attracted heat after a poor, 12-touch display.
Midfielder Tom Rockliff amassed an incredible 57 possessions against North Adelaide while Justin Westhoff and Sam Powell-Pepper pressed for recalls with 37 and 33 respectively. Rockliff had been sidelined since Round 10 with a hamstring strain but 14 clearances, eight inside 50s.
Off-contract ruckman Paddy Ryder put pressure for a senior return at the expense of Peter Ladhams with 34 hit-outs, two goals and 12 disposals.
Wingman Karl Amon and utility Dougal Howard will return from suspension.
— Richard Earle
INJURIES
Matthew Broadbent (mental health) indefinite
Jake Patmore (knee) season
Jack Trengove (leg) indefinite
Jack Watts (leg) indefinite
RICHMOND
The Tigers were arguably the big winners out of Round 15, climbing two spots up the table after a host of upsets around them, including shock home losses to Fremantle and Port Adelaide. Damien Hardwick admitted that seven changes would be unsettling for any side, and it took take them a half to settle, before a controlled, disciplined, street-smart display in the second half led to a 33-point win over St Kilda. Rising Star contender Sydney Stack starred with a career-best four-goal haul in his first start up forward, while their persistence with Mabior Chol was rewarded as he bagged three in his third AFL game. Gun quartet Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, David Astbury and Kane Lambert will all be better for their return, with Jack Riewoldt and Toby Nankervis to be tested this week ahead of the visit to Gold Coast on Saturday, before they host a fourth-place GWS Giants that remains unconvincing in Melbourne. Hardwick also hinted yesterday that Alex Rance was tracking ahead of schedule and could return by September.
— David Davutovic
INJURIES
Luke English (shoulder) test
Oleg Markov (suspension) 1 week
Callum Moore (ankle) 4-5 weeks
Toby Nankervis (adductor) 2-3 weeks
Marlion Pickett (finger) 3-4 weeks
Alex Rance (knee) season
Jack Riewoldt (PCL) 1-2 weeks
Jack Ross (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Fraser Turner (leg) 3-4 weeks
SYDNEY
This is what the mid-season draft was brought in for.
The Swans could hand mid-year draftee Michael Knoll his AFL debut after Callum Sinclair joined fellow ruckmen Sam Naismith and Darcy Cameron on the injury list.
Knoll had 32 hit-outs in the NEAFL against Gold Coast.
Sydney’s Callum Sinclair will spend at least three weeks on the sidelines because of a dislocated shoulder.
Without Lance Franklin, Sydney’s task against Essendon this week has become tougher even though the Bombers have their own injury issues in the ruck.
Sam Reid is expected to shoulder some of the ruck load that will necessitate a positional switch for Isaac Heeney up forward.
After an ineffectual first half against Gold Coast, Heeney dominated the second which included a big stint in attack in the last quarter.
Jarrad McVeigh is close to a return from a hamstring injury and Kieren Jack played his second in the state league.
At 6-8, the Swans are an outside chance for finals, so the stakes are high against the ninth-placed Bombers.
— Chris Vernuccio
INJURIES
Darcy Cameron (quad) 1-2 weeks
Harry Cunningham (quad) 1 week
Lance Franklin (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Jack Maibaum (knee) season
Jarrad McVeigh (hamstring) test
Sam Naismith (knee) indefinite
Callum Sinclair (shoulder) 3 weeks
Nick Smith (hamstring) season
Durak Tucker (knee) indefinite
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Dale Morris is likely another week or two away from a senior call-up after making his return from a knee injury in the VFL on Saturday. Morris said his first game of the year had been
“a long time coming” after he featured for Footscray against Port Melbourne. Coach Luke Beveridge said after Western Bulldogs win against Port Adelaide on Saturday night he suspected Morris would need at least one more week in the VFL. “It took him a few weeks last time when he came back from the other leg. It’ll definitely take him another 1-2 before we consider him. There’s no absolute need to bring him in at this point in time.” The Dogs were fortunate to escape a sodden Adelaide Oval with no serious injury concerns considering the conditions. Ben Cavarra pressed his claims for a debut with four goals in the VFL. The former Williamstown VFL star has had a tough run with injuries in his first year at Whitten Oval.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Caleb Daniel (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Billy Gowers (ankle) 1-3 weeks
Tom Liberatore (knee) 2-4 weeks
Fergus Greene (shoulder) Season
Mitch Wallis (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Lukas Webb (ankle) 2-4 weeks
WEST COAST
Eagles tagger Mark Hutchings is set for a period on the sidelines after he suffered a hamstring tear in the club’s tense win over Hawthorn on Saturday. With games against Fremantle (Nat Fyfe), Collingwood (Adam Treloar) and Melbourne (Clayton Oliver) in coming rounds, Hutchings’ discipline in the shutdown role will be missed, depending on the severity of his blow. Brendon Ah Chee (20 disposals, 10 tackles in WAFL) is a possible replacement, while former Magpie Josh Smith (27 possessions, seven tackles) was superb as the Eagles’ reserves defeated South Fremantle by 21 points. Most importantly for West Coast, returning ruckman Nic Naitanui came through the win against the Hawks unscathed and had 41 hit-outs. “He looked pretty normal to me. I didn’t see too much disruption to his normal game which is really pleasing,” coach Adam Simpson told reporters post-match. The Eagles will regain Jeremy McGovern from suspension for their Round 16 derby against the Dockers.
— Tim Michell
INJURIES
Tom Barrass (foot) test
Patrick Bines (hernia) TBC
Harry Edwards (foot) TBC
Daniel Venables (concussion) TBC
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