Barometer: Every club’s injury list plus who might be in and out of your AFL team for Round 12
WEST Coast will be without key forward Jack Darling for the next month with an ankle injury while Brisbane and Gold Coast have been hit by serious injuries. YOUR CLUB’S INJURY LIST
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WEST Coast is upbeat after revealing red-hot forward Jack Darling will be sidelined for a month with an ankle injury.
The Eagles feared Darling could be sidelined long-term after going down on Saturday night.
SEE EVERY CLUB’S INJURY LIST BELOW
Football manager Craig Vozzo said the star goalkicker had a hairline fracture and ligament damage.
“After initially fearing the worst, we’ve received some reasonably positive news from our doctors, all things considered,” he told the club website.
THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S ROUND 11 LIKES AND DISLIKES
RAGE TRADES: WHO YOU NEED TO TRADE OUT IN SUPERCOACH
There are a host of other big names in the casualty ward after a brutal weekend of AFL injuries. And some stars waiting in the wings to replace them.
How is your club placed? Scroll down for the latest injury news and expert selection analysis.
ADELAIDE
INJURIES:
Rory Laird (broken hand) TBC
Brad Crouch (groin) indefinite
Paul Hunter (ankle) 7-9 weeks
Riley Knight (hamstring tendinitis) 1-2 weeks
Tom Lynch (side strain/ribs) TBC
Mitch McGovern (ankle) 5-7 weeks
Rory Sloane (foot) 1-2 weeks
Brodie Smith (knee) indefinite
Taylor Walker (glute/back) 1-2 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: The beaten Grand Finalist is struggling, having lost three of its past four games to put its top-four hopes in serious jeopardy. Key players, including captain Taylor Walker and vice-captain Rory Sloane, remain on the injured list and will not be available for Sunday’s clash against Fremantle in Perth. Stand-in skipper Tom Lynch is also out after suffering a side/rib injury in the shock loss to the Giants and now Rory Laird is dealing with a broken hand. On form, forward Josh Jenkins, defenders Kyle Hartigan and Jake Kelly and rookie forward Lachie Murphy could be debated at selection. But with a long injury list there aren’t too many alternatives.
ON THE CUSP: The Crows’ SANFL team had the bye on the weekend, meaning no players were able to push their cases for AFL promotion with big performances. Long-kicking midfielder Patrick Wilson, hard-running onballer Curtly Hampton and and tall swingman Andy Otten played well in the local competition the previous week. Jordan Gallucci and Myles Poholke were dropped after the 91-point thrashing to Melbourne and will have their names discussed at the selection table.
ANDREW CAPEL’S FORECAST: Much will depend on the fitness of important forward Tom Lynch, who was hurt in the loss to GWS. With Walker still sidelined the Crows cannot afford to be without Lynch as well. Coach Don Pyke is unlikely to sit idle at selection but there are just not that many alternatives for him right now, although Wilson is an exciting prospect who deserves an opportunity.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURIES:
Charlie Cameron (foot) season
Mitch Robinson (toe) TBC
Allen Christensen (concussion) TBC
Hugh McCluggage (calf) TBC
Matt Eagles (abnominals) TBC
Jarrod Berry (hamstring) test
Rohan Bewick (hand) 6-8 weeks
Jack Payne (Shin) 3 weeks
Sam Skinner (ACL) indefinite
Toby Wooller (Finger) 1-2 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Horror day for the Lions’ medical department with Jarrod Berry pulling out before the bounce at Cameron, Robinson, Christensen and McCluggage all hurt during the game. Of the foursome, Cameron’s injury is the most serious, the man dubbed by some the recruit of the year was on crutches after half-time and has been ruled out for the season. With a number of forced changes likely, Chris Fagan is unlikely to drop players on form.
ON THE CUSP: Berry is a likely inclusion against Essendon and the Lions will probably have to find some reinforcements from the NEAFL team that lost to Aspley at the weekend. Ryan Bastinac, Tom Bell, Claye Beams and Archie Smith were named in the best players.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Young developing teams are going to have the occasional shocker but the big injury toll added insult to injury. Losing Cameron is a huge blow after his stellar season and Hugh McCluggage was building a good run of form. The Lions aren’t without a chance back at home against Essendon before a week off with the bye.
CARLTON
INJURIES:
Marc Murphy (foot) 3-4 weeks
Ciaran Byrne (Quad) 3 weeks
Levi Casboult (Broken rib) test
Sam Docherty (Knee) Season
Kym Lebois (Broken collarbone) 2 weeks
Harrison Macreadie (Hamstring) 3 weeks
Caleb Marchbank (Ankle) 1-2 weeks
Jarrod Pickett (Wrist) 2 weeks
Alex Silvagni (Achilles) test
Tom Williamson (back) season
ON THE BLOCK: Patrick Cripps is clearly playing hurt and will enjoy the week off as Carlton shares a Round 12 bye with Hawthorn, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs. Matthew Wright and Lachie Plowman were very quiet against the Swans and Jed Lamb clearly isn’t in the team to win the footy.
ON THE CUSP: Nick Graham had 37 disposals in the VFL but there weren’t many other positives in a 70-point loss to Geelong. Levi Casboult should be fit to return after the bye with Caleb Marchbank also a chance.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Carlton hits the halfway mark of the season with one win and a percentage of 63.5, which is well short of where they would have been hoping even allowing for injuries. At least a win against the Bombers give fans something to smile about. The second half of the season presents some more chances to add to the wins column with matches to come against Brisbane, Gold Coast (both away), Fremantle (Etihad Stadium) and a Friday night blockbuster against the Saints.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURIES:
Travis Varcoe (hamstring) TBC
Jeremy Howe (knee) TBC
Ben Reid (leg) TBC
Daniel Wells (rested) available
Jack Magden (broken jaw) 6 weeks
James Aish (Knee) 7-9 weeks
Tim Broomhead (Broken leg) season
Jamie Elliott (Hamstring) TBC
Alex Fasolo (Ankle) 6-7 weeks
Tyson Goldsack (Knee) season
Kayle Kirby (Heart issue) indefinite
Tom Langdon (Leg) available
Max Lynch (Ankle) test
Brayden Maynard (Ankle) test
Darcy Moore (Hamstring) TBC
Josh Smith (Hamstring) 4-5 weeks
Sam McLarty (foot) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Not much not to like against Freo, with everyone playing their part in the big win. Mason Cox could be an unlucky omission if key talls return. Hard to drop Brody Mihocek after his impressive four-goal debut.
ON THE CUSP: Jeremy Howe is a chance to return from knee soreness against the Dees. Howe is one of the best intercepting defenders in the comp and would be helpful against the Dees’ big gun forwards. Ben Reid is also in the mix to recover from a soft-tissue issue. The Pies will be extra careful with Reid.
JAY CLARK’S FORECAST: Collingwood posted its seventh win of the season against a hapless Fremantle on Sunday to setup a mouth-watering clash against a red-hot Melbourne on Monday. More than 80,000 are expected, the biggest QB crowd in 10 years.
ESSENDON
INJURIES:
David Zaharakis (collarbone) 6 weeks
Darcy Parish (broken thumb) 8 weeks
Patrick Ambrose (calf) 3 weeks
Josh Begley (Knee) season
Joe Daniher (Groin) 3-4 weeks
Martin Gleeson (Ankle) 4-5 weeks
Kobe Mutch (head) TBC
Darcy Parish (thumb) 6-8 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: David Zaharakis said he will “probably miss a couple” of games after his collarbone slipped out of place following a brutal Toby Nankervis tackle. On Monday the Bombers decided it would be worse than that — he will have sugrgery and miss “at least six weeks”. Jordan Ridley had 25 disposals in his first game but hasn’t broken out of double figures in the next two. Tall forwards James Stewart and Shaun McKernan were well beaten.
ON THE CUSP: Aaron Francis was again one of the best for the Bombers’ VFL side. Is the No. 6 draft pick ready for his first game of the season (and sixth of his career)? Jake Long was best afield in the loss to Footscray and Travis Colyer kicked a goal in his first game for the season after returning form a foot injury.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Two steps forward, one step back. Essendon copped a brutal reality check from the heavyweight champ on Saturday night and rising finals hopes took a big hit in the process. The Bombers are two games and a large chunk of percentage out of the eight and history shows it’s almost impossible to come from that far back at this stage of the year. They should account for Brisbane but the next block — West Coast, North Melbourne, Collingwood — will decide their 2018 fate.
FREMANTLE
INJURIES:
Nat Fyfe (suspension) 1 week
Aaron Sandilands (concussion) test
Bradley Hill (knee) TBC
Stephen Hill (quad) 2-3 weeks
Sean Darcy (Knee) 2 weeks
Hugh Dixon (Ankle) 2 weeks
Brady Grey (Hamstring) TBC
Joel Hamling (concussion) test
Lee Spurr (Knee) 1-2 weeks
Sam Switkowski (Hamstring) TBC
Matt Taberner (Foot) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Fremantle could be without its three most important players for Sunday’s clash against Adelaide at Optus Stadium. Match Review Officer Michael Christian rubbed out Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe for a week for his high hit on Magpie Levi Greenwood. Key defender Alex Pearce hurt his ankle in the third quarter and didn’t come back on, while ruck warrior Aaron Sandilands (concussion) still needs to pass a fitness test after missing Sunday’s horror loss to Collingwood. Forward Cam McCarthy’s form struggles continued with his second goalless outing in three matches.
ON THE CUSP: Brandon Matera and Michael Johnson were arguably Peel Thunder’s best two players in an unconvincing win over Claremont on Saturday. Both players were axed alongside Hayden Ballantyne and Danyle Pearce last week after coach Ross Lyon’s promise to “double down” on playing youth. Johnson was terrific as a tall forward in the first half before his experienced head was required down back, while Matera kicked three first-half goals before being switched into the midfield. Tough youngster Mitch Crowden was the travelling emergency at the weekend and will come into contention if Fyfe is suspended.
JORDAN McARDLE’S FORECAST: Fremantle’s season is slipping away by the week, with Sunday’s 61-point loss to the Magpies at the MCG their third in a row. It was an inexperienced Dockers team that took the park including eight players with fewer than 15 games’ experience, Bailey Banfield, Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Brennan Cox, Michael Apeness, Taylin Duman and debutants Scott Jones and Stefan Giro. Lyon has vowed to keep playing youth as the club’s rebuild continues. There are two more games before Freo get a bye, hosting the depleted Crows on Sunday before facing Carlton at Etihad Stadium the following Saturday. Luckless midfielder Harley Bennell looks to have suffered another calf setback in the WAFL, coming off with “tightness” early in the second term and getting taken out of the match.
GEELONG
INJURIES:
Harry Taylor (foot) TBC
Esava Ratugolea (Broken ankle) Season
Nakia Cockatoo (Knee) 1-2 weeks
Charlie Constable (Concussion) 1-2 weeks
Cam Guthrie (Ankle) 2-3 weeks
Lachie Henderson (Knee) 4-5 weeks
Daniel Menzel (Groin) TBC
Scott Selwood (Back) test
ON THE BLOCK: No injuries from a dream trip to the Gold Coast and no obvious omissions. Jack Henry, Wylie Buzza and Rhys Stanley all had single-figure disposal tallies.
ON THE CUSP: Ryan Gardner has spent Two-and-a-half years in the Cats’ VFL team without playing a senior game. Is it time for pick 59 in the 2015 draft? He kicked six goals and was named Geelong’s best in its 70-point win against the Northern Blues. George Horlin-Smith and James Parsons also impressed.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: After hitting a speed bump against Essendon, the Cats express is steaming ahead with four wins from their past five games. Geelong sits just outside the top four, waiting for Melbourne or Sydney to stumble. But the first priority is a meeting of the twin brothers in the coaching box when the Cats face the surging Kangaroos on Saturday. Geelong has won its past two against the Roos — including a one-point thriller last year — but lost the three before that and Brad’s men will put up a lot more resistance than Gold Coast did on Saturday night.
GOLD COAST
INJURIES:
Steven May (ankle) TBC
Aaron Hall (shoulder) 10-12 weeks
Aaron Young (ankle) TBC
Brayden Fiorini (leg) 6-8 weeks
Pearce Hanley (shoulder) 6-8 weeks
Josh Jaska (hamstring) 1 week
Jesse Lonergan (knee) test
Darcy MacPherson (broken leg) 10 weeks
Tom Nicholls (shoulder) 10-12 weeks
Matt Rosa (hamstring) TBC
Harrison Wigg (ankle) indefinite
Mackenzie Willis (knee) indefinite
Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) test
ON THE BLOCK: Steven May (ankle), Aaron Hall (pectoral or bicep) and Aaron Young (ankle) are all expected to miss multiple matches with injury which may just spare the fate of some under-performing teammates. The Suns were terrible in their 85-point loss to the Cats and another factor that could save some from the axe was that there were so few contributors it would be tough to single any out for the axe. High-profile recruit Lachie Weller is battling while second-gamer Jacob Heron had a tough night.
ON THE CUSP: The Suns will need a key defender to replace Steven May. In the past Sam Day has been swung back to plug holes in defence but he is building well into his season after a year out with a hip injury and it would be a tough call to send him down back. Jack Leslie then becomes the best option. Working against Day is that Peter Wright played well in the NEAFL and is approaching full fitness, but it was his move into the ruck that swung the game and Jarrod Witts has been one of the most consistent performers in the seniors. Michael Barlow had 41 touches in the NEAFL and Jarrod Lyons was serviceable after being dropped for the first time. But it is a rebounding defender to replace Hall and a high half-forward the side needs. Brad Scheer and Josh Schoenfeld could come into consideration..
ANDREW HAMILTON’S FORECAST: Sadly, the Suns have fallen into the category where you just can’t tip them. They will probably knock a few good sides over this year to keep teasing with their promise but a shocker like the loss to the Cats, in their first home game of the year, shows there is something fundamentally wrong that Stuart Dew has to fix. It is hard to make any sort of case for them this week after the Giants’ showing in Adelaide on Sunday.
GWS GIANTS
INJURIES:
Stephen Coniglio (concussion) test
Matt de Boer (Hamstring) 1 week
Brett Deledio (calf) 8-10 weeks
Toby Greene (Foot) TBC
Adam Kennedy (Knee) 1 week
Tom Scully (Ankle) 8 weeks
Will Setterfield (Knee) season
Lachie Tiziani (Knee) season
Zac Williams (Achilles) TBC
ON THE BLOCK: Stephen Coniglio will be monitored after a delayed concussion brought on by a third-quarter knock. He stayed on the ground but came off in the last quarter. The six-day break won’t help his cause.
ON THE CUSP: Matt deBoer will be available for Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium after missing the past three weeks with a hamstring injury. He was available for yesterday’s match against Adelaide but the GWS medical staff erred on the side of caution. Toby Greene (foot) won’t be back till after the bye and Tom Scully (ankle) is still seven weeks away.
NEIL CORDY’S FORECAST: Coniglio will need to show rapid improvement in the next 48 hours to have any hope of taking on the Suns on Saturday. If players are still showing signs of concussion on the Tuesday before matches they are generally ruled out. Matt deBoer did a full week’s training and will be an ideal replacement for the fellow West Australian.
HAWTHORN
INJURIES:
Grant Birchall (Knee) indefinite
Changkuoth Jiath (Groin) 1-2 weeks
Dylan Moore (Shoulder) 1-2 weeks
Cyril Rioli (Knee) 1 week
ON THE BLOCK: Hawthorn avoided heading into its bye behind the win-loss ledger after gutsing out a tough three-point win against Port Adelaide in Launceston. James Sicily continues to grow into one of the leading intercept defenders in the competition, Tom Mitchell had a huge first half (21 possessions) before being quelled by Tom Rockliff in the second while Shaun Burgoyne was at his silky best to suggest another season is not out of the question for the veteran. Inclusion Tim O’Brien only had five possessions and failed to take a mark up forward, while in his second game back from a knee reconstruction John Ceglar had little impact.
ON THE CUSP: James Cousins was among the best players in Box Hill’s loss to Werribee, enhancing his chances of a recall after the bye after concussion forced him out of the side against West Coast a fortnight ago. Brendan Whitecross continues to knock down the door with solid form in the reserves, while all eyes will be on whether Cyril Rioli returns for the Round 13 clash against Adelaide.
ADAM SMITH’S FORECAST: Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson knew how vital the win over Port Adelaide was, aware had his side fallen two games outside the eight it would be difficult to make up ground in the second half of the year. Forward efficiency — 59 inside-50s for a return of nine goals — continues to be a problem, with Hawthorn having not kicked 100 points since Round 4. Still, the fixture opens up for the Hawks post-bye with matches against the struggling Crows at the MCG, Gold Coast back in Launceston, GWS away, then three of the bottom five teams in Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Carlton.
MELBOURNE
INJURIES:
Jake Lever (knee) TBC
Jake Melksham (ankle) TBC
Tim Smith (neck) TBC
Dean Kent (Hamstring) 1 weeks
Corey Maynard (Hip) indefinite
Pat McKenna (Hamstring) indefinite
Aaron vandenBerg (Ankle) 4-5 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Defender Jake Lever is out for the year after suffering an ACL in a big blow after he had begun to find some real form, while forward Jake Melksham had some ankle issues that will be assessed further during the week. The Demons expect Tim Smith to be OK after playing out the game against the Bulldogs despite suffering whiplash.
ON THE CUSP: Billy Stretch was Casey’s best in the VFL while Cam Pederson also impressed with four goals. Sam Weideman made a successful return through the VFL after overcoming a calf complaint. Sam Frost and Joel Smith are candidates to replace Lever.
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S FORECAST: Just when the Dees were beginning to take flight, key recruit Jake Lever goes down with a season-ending knee injury. It shapes as a massive blow, but the side is going well enough in other areas to keep its six-game winning streak going. Beat Collingwood on Queen’s Birthday Monday and Melbourne will be very well placed safely in the top-four heading into the bye as its premiership credentials quickly grow.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURIES:
Jy Simpkin (suspension) 2 weeks
Jarrad Waite (calf) TBC
Jed Anderson (hip) TBC
Sam Durdin (concussion) test
Ed Vickers-Willis (Knee) season
Declan Watson (Knee) indefinite
ON THE BLOCK: Brad Scott lauded the evenness of North Melbourne’s performance, with every line firing when the game was at its hottest. Even Tom Murphy, who replaced Waite about a minute before the bounce, collected 14 disposals. Murphy featured in the pre-season and was so well-equipped for his first game, Scott initially overlooked the fact he was being ushered in to make his debut. Anderson lasted just 10 minutes but the Roos say it is only tightness so he would be some sort of chance of taking on the Cats. There will be one forced change with Jy Simpkin banned for two weeks for his high bump on Allen Christensen.
ON THE CUSP: Ben McKay is ready to play and Sam Durdin filled in well in Round 10, so the tall options are obvious for the Kangas. If Waite doesn’t get up from calf tightness perhaps one of those boys will be considered at the Cattery. Ryan Clarke amassed 36 disposals in the VFL while No. 4 draft pick Luke Davies-Uniacke (16 disposals) and Nathan Hrovat (21 disposals), Nick Larkey (three goals) contributed as speedster Will Walker slotted two goals each side of halftime. The depth is starting to stack at Arden St.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S FORECAST: Why can’t it be the Kangas year? At 7-4 and with a healthy percentage it would be disrespectful to discount them. The Roos are the No. 2 defensive team in the AFL and if they can roll Geelong at the Cattery, where they won in 2015, the footy world will finally wake up to the fact they are within touching distance of the top four at their bye. Scott is the coach of the year to this point and so many Kangaroos players have so much innate attacking flair that their offensive ball movement is great to watch.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURIES:
Todd Marshall (shoulder) test
Matthew Broadbent (ankle) TBC
Trent McKenzie (quad) 3-4 weeks
Jarrod Leinert (knee) 4-5 weeks
Willem Drew (heel) season
Hamish Hartlett (knee) season
ON THE BLOCK: Dan Houston only had 11 touches in the loss to Hawthorn, two bad turnovers in the final term and used the ball at 64 per cent efficiency which is very unlike him. With Jasper Pittard and Jack Trengove knocking on the door he may pay a price at selection this week. Chad Wingard is also out of sorts but he won’t be dropped.
ON THE CUSP: Todd Marshall didn’t play SANFL after copping a knock on his shoulder but could earn an AFL recall to play Richmond this week, while Pittard and Trengove are putting together some reasonable form in the reserves. Lindsay Thomas kicked four goals and Dom Barry had 29 touches for the Magpies so they may be considered as well.
REECE HOMFRAY’S FORECAST: Every match is suddenly being billed as a “massive game” for the Power as it fights for a spot in the top eight. Richmond at home on Friday night is a big test but one they can win. The Tigers are 1-4 from their last five trips to the Oval and the Power will be desperate to atone for the three-point loss to Hawthorn. I’d expect Marshall and Pittard to come in and possibly Trengove to make his Power debut.
RICHMOND
INJURIES:
Jason Catagna (knee soreness) test
Mabior Chol (broken foot) TBC
Bachar Houli (groin) 4 weeks
Shaun Hampson (back) TBC
Dion Prestia (calf) 4-5 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Hard to see too many changes being made to the Tigers’ outfit that so comprehensively dismantled Essendon in the Dreamtime game. Even without important players Dion Prestia and Bachar Houli, Richmond is still getting the job done with a minimum of fuss and with plenty of intent.
ON THE CUSP: Sadly, Mabior Chol won’t be among those considered in the coming weeks for the Tigers after he broke his foot during training this week. In his post-match press conference on Saturday night, Damien Hardwick explained how Chol was one of the most exciting players at the club, but he now faces a long period on the sidelines. The Tigers had another big win in the VFL yesterday with Anthony Miles collecting 43 disposals and kicking three goals. Sam Lloyd had similar numbers and Daniel Rioli also kicked one as he nears a comeback from a broken foot. Is this the week?
GLENN McFARLANE’S FORECAST: Richmond’s ‘Triple H’s’ played a role in the club’s 2017 premiership. Hardwick is convinced the flag defence is being fuelled by two more ‘h’s’ — humility and hunger. He said two of the hungriest players for more success were skipper Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, but that is gently balanced by their humble personalities. The Tigers have owned the MCG for a year-and-a-half now, but face a big challenge this Friday night on the road against Port Adelaide.
ST KILDA
INJURIES:
Jarryn Geary (calf) TBC
Luke Dunstan (shoulder) test
Nathan Freeman (shoulder) 3-4 weeks
Nathan Brown (knee) 2-3 weeks
Blake Acres (Groin) 4-6 weeks
Josh Bruce (Back) 1 week
Sam Gilbert (Thumb) 5-6 weeks
Ben Long (Foot) 8-10 weeks
Dylan Roberton (Heart) Season
Koby Stevens (Concussion) Season
ON THE BLOCK: Skipper Jarryn Geary sat out the last quarter against the Eagles and had plenty of ice on his calf. Scans this week will reveal how bad the injury is but he seems certain to miss at least a couple of matches. Dan McKenzie and Jack Lonie aren’t safe in the 22 and Jack Billings had another quiet game.
ON THE CUSP: Tough day in the VFL on Sunday with a 57-point loss to North Melbourne. Nick Coffield (31 disposals) and David Armitage (29) were the main ball-winners. Luke Dunstan is a chance to return after he failed to get up following a shoulder knock against Richmond.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Let’s look at the positives. The Saints kicked seven of the last eight goals to fall 13 points short against the top team on its home deck, despite being on the wrong end of a lopsided 25-12 free kick count (not for the first time in Perth). And have the goalkicking demons finally been banished? A very accurate 14.5 (including 6.0 from Tim Membrey) followed a 12.5 return the week before. The effort is clearly there and the rest is starting to fall into place, but unfortunately the Saints haven’t been done any favours by the fixture. Matches against Richmond and West Coast are followed by a clash against Sydney in Saturday’s Pride Game at Etihad Stadium. A win will be tough but if they stay on rack fans should taste a long-awaited victory the next week against Gold Coast.
SYDNEY SWANS
INJURIES:
Callum Mills (broken foot) Season
Sam Naismith (Knee) Season
Lewis Melican (Hamstring) 3-4 weeks
James Bell (Hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Jake Brown (Shoulder) 1 week
Jordan Dawson (Quad) 1 week|
Alex Johnson (Groin) test
Sam Reid (Quad) 3-4 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Ryley Stoddart was quiet in his second senior game, picking up just six possessions against the Blues. He will come under pressure from a host of players in the Swans well performing reserves team.
ON THE CUSP: Dean Towers, James Rose, Dan Robinson and Colin O’Riordan all played well in the NEAFL win over Sydney Uni. Multiple changes are highly unlikely to a Swans team that has won their last four on the trot. Sam Reid is back running but is still another 3-4 weeks away from returning from a quad injury.
NEIL CORDY’S FORECAST: The Swans are travelling well and will get better in the coming weeks as Lance Franklin gets more game and training time after missing three weeks with a foot injury. The Saints performed much better in their loss to West Coast in Perth but have lost their past eight to Sydney. The Swans are likely to drop Ryley Stoddart and could bring in Irishman Colin O’Riordan for his debut.
WEST COAST
INJURIES:
Jack Darling (ankle) 4 weeks
Luke Shuey (hamstring) test
Will Schofield (hamstring) 2 weeks
Eric Mackenzie (Toe) 2-3 weeks
Daniel Venables (Ankle) 4-5 weeks
Liam Ryan (Ankle) 2 weeks
Hamish Brayshaw (Knee) 2 weeks
Malcolm Karpany (knee) 6-8 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: West Coast was upbeat after revealing Jack Darling will miss a month with an ankle injury suffered against St Kilda at Perth Stadium on Saturday night. Darling landed awkwardly in a marking content in the opening term and played no further part in the match. Someone will have to make way for vice-captain Luke Shuey, who was a last-minute withdrawal due after not pulling up in time from a hamstring strain.
ON THE CUSP: Uncapped tall forwards Jarrod Brander and Matthew Allen are at the front of the line to replace Darling for the Eagles’ next match against Sydney after the bye. No. 13 draft pick Brander has booted 10 goals in seven WAFL appearances this season. Allen, 20, hasn’t missed a game in his third season at the club after a horror run with injury, with a five-goal haul against Peel Thunder in round five his best performance. Both youngsters have the chance to press their claims in East Perth’s WA Day Derby clash against traditional rivals West Perth today. Running machine Chris Masten (hamstring) and high-flying forward Liam Ryan (ankle) could both be available for the Swans clash at the SCG in round 13.
JORDAN McARDLE’S FORECAST: Ten wins on the trot and on top of the ladder heading into a well-earned bye, things couldn’t be going any better Adam Simpson’s men. Awaiting the Eagles after the break is the only team to beat them this season. Darling will be a huge loss if scans reveal the worst, but dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy (six goals) stepped up in his absence with his best game of the season against the Saints. The Swans have won four consecutive games and sharpshooter Lance Franklin will be hoping to cause more headaches for West Coast’s defence after his matchwinning eight-goal performance in the opening round.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURIES:
Tory Dickson (hamstring) 6 weeks
Zaine Cordy (concussion) TBC
Bailey Dale (foot) 4 weeks
Kieran Collings (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Tim English (foot) 3-5 weeks
Tom Liberatore (knee) season
Brad Lynch (hamstring) test
Aaron Naughton (ankle) test
Liam Picken (concussion) indefinite
Jack Redpath (knee) 8-9 weeks
Clay Smith (knee) 2 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Tory Dickson suffered a hamstring injury in the opening term and sat out the rest of the game, and the Bulldogs confirmed on Monday he will miss the next six weeks. Tom Boyd had no impact, gathering just four disposals in a disappointing performance.
ON THE CUSP: Defender Shane Biggs was one of Footscray’s best in the VFL with 29 disposals while Tom Campbell was dominant in the ruck with 49 hit-outs. Midfielder Mitch Wallis (20 disposals) was also solid.
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S FORECAST: Coach Luke Beveridge believes there is a glimmer of hope the season can be salvaged but at 4-7 that is very wishful thinking. The Bulldogs can’t score and the loss of Dickson does not help their forward woes. From their past three games the side has kicked a combined 17 goals. A bye this week couldn’t have come quickly enough for Beveridge and his troops.
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
Cornes: Big detail fans have wrong on Crows list of failures
At Port it’s Ken Hinkley who endures the wrath of the disenchanted and impatient supporters. At Adelaide it’s the list management team, writes Graham Cornes.
More games at Cattery as Geelong set to receive fixture boost
Geelong put in a fixture request to the AFL and it has been confirmed by the club.