Barometer: See every AFL club’s injury list after Round 16 of the season

Melbourne forward Tom McDonald is unlikely to play again this season but it relieved his knee injury wasn’t worse while Carlton has lost one of its defenders for the rest of the year. YOUR CLUB’S INJURY NEWS

Jack Riewoldt is on the verge of a return. Pic: Getty Images

In-form Melbourne forward Tom McDonald has likely play his last game of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.

Scans have confirmed McDonald tore his meniscus in his left knee during the Demons’ thrilling win over Carlton on Sunday.

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McDonald will have surgery on Tuesday but the 26-year-old said he was relieved to have escaped an ACL injury, which would have meant 12 months on the sidelines.

“The good news is that I haven’t done an ACL or anything too severe but I think I’ve got a little meniscus tear,” McDonald told SEN radio yesterday morning.

“I’ll meet the surgeon but it will probably require some surgery so it might be tough playing again this year but it couldbe a lot worse so good news, I think, in totality.”

Tom McDonald will have surgery on his knee. Picture: AAP

“It just felt like something clunked and I had something stuck in the joint so I think that might be a bit of meniscus that’s sitting in there that’s torn off or something like that,” he said.

“We thought it might’ve been a bit of chipped bone which would’ve been a better result but that’s it doesn’t look like that’sthe case.”

Defender Marty Hore could miss at least two weeks with a broken collarbone and Harrison Petty will be monitored after coppinga heavy knock.

The Demons are hopeful Max Gawn with return against the Western Bulldogs this Sunday while Jake Lever made a successful comeback from knee bone bruising in the VFL.

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SEASON OVER FOR BLUE

Carlton have lost Caleb Marchbank for the rest of the 2019 season, the young defender suffering a fractured neck late in the Blues’ tight loss to Melbourne.

Marchbank received a knee to the head in a marking contest at the MCG on Sunday and was sent for scans after reporting pain in the rooms after the match.

It was confirmed hehad suffered a non-displaced fracture of a vertebrae at the base of his neck.

The 22-year-old saw a specialist on Monday, who advised him to miss the rest of the season, which should allow the break to heal naturally without the need for surgery.

BLURRY BOMBER WILL BE OK

Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett is expected to make a full recovery from the in-game headache he suffered on Saturday.

And Cale Hooker was lauded for playing through a back problem in Essendon’s gritty 10-point win over Sydney Swans at the MCG.

Merrett sat out the second half of the second term after copping a heavy knock from Sydney hard nut George Hewett.

Merrett spent time with the doctors for assessment and reported some jaw soreness as well as some eye or vision issues.

But he played out the second half and finished with 18 possessions as Essendon kept touch with the eight.

Zach Merrett is expected to play against North Melbourne. Picture: AAP

Essendon football manager Dan Richardson said Merrett had a history of suffering headaches but was expected to be fine to play North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

“He’s fine, he got a bit of a knock but it certainly wasn’t a concussion issue,” Richardson said.

“He does have a bit of a history with getting some headaches and some migraines and our doctors are right across that.

“He had a bit of time (on the bench) and it certainly settled right down, so he was able to play in the second half and played pretty well.”

Captain Dyson Heppell will also have tests on the foot problem which sidelined him for Saturday’s victory.

The gun midfielder was in a moon boot over the weekend and is in a race against time to be fit for the Roos clash.

ALL EYES ON JACK’S POSSIBLE RETURN

Richmond superstar Jack Riewoldt will push hard to make his return from knee injury this week in a massive boost to the Tigers’ premiership tilt.

The premiership hero is on track to return against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday if he can complete training this week.

Richmond was dealt a savage blow in Round 6 when he hurt his posterior cruciate ligament, leaving new recruit Tom Lynch to spearhead the forward line for the past nine games.

But Riewoldt is set to rejoin Lynch against the Giants as the Tigers push hard to secure a top-four berth over the remaining seven rounds.

Football manager Neil Balme said Riewoldt showed positive signs on the training track last week and was likely to take on GWS.

Jack Riewoldt is on the verge of an AFL return. Picture: Getty Images

ADELAIDE

Expect Don Pyke to swing the axe this week after labelling Showdown 47 “embarrassing” and publicly apologising to the club’s supporters.

There are a few in the gun and the spotlight is on Eddie Betts who hasn’t kicked a goal in his past two games in which Adelaide has lost to Geelong and the Power, while Richard Douglas is yet to regain his best form after an ankle injury and neither wingman Rory Atkins or David Mackay had an impact on Saturday night.

Whether that opens the door for Bryce Gibbs to come back in — his cause may be helped by Pyke’s decision to play Brodie Smith and Wayne Milera forward against Port Adelaide — will be interesting while Darcy Fogarty and Tyson Stengle are still waiting for a senior game this year.

But there is genuine intrigue surrounding veteran ruckman Sam Jacobs who is stranded on 198 games and doesn’t look to be going past Reilly O’Brien any time soon, so the question is can he force his way into the team as a forward instead of Jenkins, Walker, Lynch or Himmelberg who have featured inside 50m this season?

— Reece Homfray

INJURY LIST:

Tom Doedee (knee) season

Cam Ellis-Yolmen (shin) TBC

Jordan Gallucci (concussion) test

Alex Keath (knee) test

Tom Lynch (calf) test

Ned McHenry (back) test

Myles Poholke (calf) TBC

Daniel Talia (ankle) test

It’s worrying times for Don Pyke and his Crows. Pic: Sarah Reed

BRISBANE LIONS

Any premiership contender will tell you luck plays a big part. Brisbane have certainly received their share of that. They are expected to have just one player on their injury list for next weekend after Mitch Hinge did a hamstring in the NEAFL win over GWS yesterday. That NEAFL side is undefeated as the competition for places in the seniors drives performances. It puts Chris Fagan in a position most coaches would envy when it comes to selection each week. The pressure on the players in the AFL side to hold their position is high. The win over GWS was the best of the Fagan era so widespread changes are unlikely. But they face Port Adelaide in Adelaide and Fagan will be tempted to recall ruckman Oscar McInerny if he passes concussion tests. All eyes will be on Eric Hipwood also after he suffered an ankle injury against the Giants.

— Andrew Hamilton

INJURY LIST:

Mitch Hinge (hamstring) TBC

Tom Cutler (foot) test

CARLTON

Five games into David Teague’s tenure not only do the Blues have three wins and two losses by under a goal, there are finally some signs of growth (green shoots???) from the likes of Matt Kennedy and Will Setterfield. Kennedy could have kicked six goals in his 2.4 and Setterfield was thrust forward and kicked three goals. David Teague says Patrick Cripps, David Cuningham and Harry McKay are due back against Sydney. He might need another four or five wins to get over the line. But why wouldn’t the Blues at least consider him as a match-day coach alongside a mentor like Paul Roos? Or is the Roos-Michael Voss due one that might end up their set-up next year? Jacob Weitering broke his nose in a nasty clash and it is yet to be confirmed if he will miss any time. A trip to Sydney all of a sudden doesn’t look so tough for the newly competitive Blues.

—Jon Ralph

INJURY LIST:

Jacob Weitering (broken nose) TBC

Patrick Cripps (foot) test

David Cuningham (knee) test

Charlie Curnow (knee) 3 weeks

Sam Docherty (knee) indefinite

Caleb Marchbank (neck) season

Harry McKay (groin) test

Liam Stocker (foot) test

Tom Williamson (back) indefinite

COLLINGWOOD

The Magpies have the longest injury list in the competition. But are things about to get any better? Taylor Adams is close to making his return but it would be a gutsy call for his first game back from a long lay-off to include a trip to Perth.

Jeremy Howe is also edging closer to a comeback after his calf injury. He may need another week on the sidelines though.

Aside from those two, the majority of Collingwood’s injured stars are still some time away.

Potential changes will come down to how much Nathan Buckley wants to shake things up. On the forward line, Josh Thomas looks out of form but he has a lot of credits in the bank after last year. Meanwhile, Mason Cox is struggling but is important for structure. There is no way his position should be under threat. Out of the VFL, Rupert Wills, Ben Crocker and Tyler Brown were all impressive.

— Liam Twomey

INJURY LIST:

Taylor Adams (groin) 1 week

Ben Reid (achilles) TBC

Brayden Sier (concussion) TBC

James Aish (hamstring) test

Dayne Beams (hip/mental health) indefinite

Lynden Dunn (knee) season

Jeremy Howe (calf) 1-2 weeks

Will Kelly (leg) 1-3 weeks

Tom Langdon (knee) indefinite

Nathan Murphy (back) indefinite

Sam Murray (suspension) TBC

Jaidyn Stephenson (suspended) 7 weeks

Daniel Wells (knee) 8 weeks

Rupert Wills (calf) test

ESSENDON

Consistency is key and the Dons have been anything but in a topsy-turvy season that has seen them at times play like they could win the flag and at others, the wooden spoon. The win over Sydney was both hard-fought and inspiring, especially without captain Dyson Heppell, who missed his first game since 2014 as a late withdrawal with a foot injury. They’ll be hoping it’s something very minor. Apart from those missing for the season, the Dons are relatively healthy and have almost a full list to choose from. Will Snelling is bashing down the door for an AFL recall after 33 touches in the VFL, while Josh Begley (three goals), Brayden Ham and Mark Baguley (two) were among the goals as the Bombers reclaimed top spot in the state league. They were good against the Swans, but they’ll have to be much better against the relentless pressure of on-fire North Melbourne this week.

—Michael Randall

INJURY LIST:

Dyson Heppell (foot) TBC

Tom Bellchambers (achilles/calf) TBC

Patrick Ambrose (quad) 2-3 weeks

James Stewart (groin) test

Devon Smith (knee) season

Joe Daniher (groin) season

Sam Draper (knee) season

FREMANTLE

What a horrible few weeks for Freo. After beating Collingwood at the MCG and then Port Adelaide to loom large in the race for September, the Dockers have lost to Melbourne (MCG), Carlton at home and now been whacked by West Coast in their showcase home and away match of the year.

“There’s certainly no panic stations,” Lyon said after the 85-point hammering to their cross-town rival.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to go through undefeated.

“Our average losing margin was 50 points last year. It’s 11 this season (before the derby loss) and we’ve been in every game.”

So, who comes in for next week’s trip to Tassie to face a resurgent Hawthorn?

Ruckman Sean Darcy is one, with Lyon saying Aaron Sandilands, well beaten by Nic Naitanui, would be rested against the Hawks to make way for Darcy.

Nat Fyfe injured his shoulder in the second quarter but played on, but it’s finding an avenue to goal that’s proving most difficult for Freo.

Jesse Hogan has resumed running after his recent foot injury but Lyon said he was unsure when exactly the former Demon would be cleared to return.

— Ben Broad

INJURY LIST:

Harley Bennell (calf) TBC

Travis Colyer (corked thigh) test

Stefan Giro (knee) season

Stephen Hill (hamstring) 1-2 weeks

Jesse Hogan (foot) indefinite

Shane Kersten (foot) TBC

Lloyd Meek (foot) TBC

Alex Pearce (ankle) Season

Matt Taberner (foot) Season

GEELONG

The Cats might still be clear premiership favourites but they are in the midst of some mid-season wobbles.

After winning 11 of 12 games before the bye, Geelong has now lost two of its past three matches including giving up a 10-point lead at the final change to lose to Western Bulldogs by 16 points on Saturday night.

However, there is some good news on the horizon.

Coach Chris Scott said post-game he expected key forward Esava Ratugolea to be available to return against St Kilda next weekend, prodiving a second tall option alongside Tom Hawkins in the forward line.

Geelong managed just seven goals against the Bulldogs, but had only 20 inside-50s after halftime as they were also beaten in the midfield battle.

Ratugolea has only six goals to his name from 10 games this season but kicked two goals in each of his most recent two games before missing the last three matches with a hamstring injury.

Brandon Parfitt was a late withdrawal for the clash with the Bulldogs but Scott said he was only “managed”, with no injury concerns.

The Cats do look set to lose defender Jake Kolodjashni for the clash with the Saints though after he suffered a concussion just before halftime against the Bulldogs and did not return to the field.

James Parsons and Scott Selwood were among the best in the Cats’ VFL loss, Quinton Narkle continued to show glimpses of what he’s capable of and Wylie Buzza kicked a couple and also impressed.

— Chris Cavanagh

INJURY LIST:

Nakia Cockatoo (knee) 2-3 weeks

Charlie Constable (toe) test

Jordan Cunico (ankle) 2-3 weeks

Jake Kolodjashni (concussion) test

Sam Menegola (knee) test

Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) test

GOLD COAST

There would only be a handful of Suns, among them captains David Swallow and Jarrod Witts, who should not be fearing for their position after the miserable performance against the Tigers. It was the club’s worst performance of the season and undid a lot of the goodwill around the Suns that has been generated off the back of generally more competitive efforts each week. The reality though is there isn’t much in reserve for Stuart Dew to work with. And they lost Wil Powell for potentially the rest of the year with a knee injury before quarter time. Sean Lemmens has now played two games in the NEAFL and if they believe he is fit, he will definitely play. Peter Wright who was left out due to the weather conditions will also be a contender to return as will Aaron Young who is building fitness in the reserves.

— Andrew Hamilton

INJURY LIST:

Callum Ah Chee (ankle) indefinite

Ben Ainsworth (foot) 2 weeks

Jack Bowes (foot) 2 weeks

Sam Collins (hip) season

Sam Fletcher (quad) 1-2 weeks

Nick Holman (back) indefinite

Sean Lemmens (ankle) test

Wil Powell (knee) indefinite

Josh Schoenfeld (knee) 2-3 weeks

Rory Thompson (knee) season

Harrison Wigg (knee) season

GWS

What’s wrong with the Giants? They took no risks with Lachie Whitfield, but maybe that was a mistake, given the lack of run they produced against the Lions. Back-to-back losses has pushed them out of the top four and they now face the daunting task of a healthier-by-the-day Richmond with superstar Josh Kelly under a dark injury cloud. Whitfield surely plays, but the MCG has never been a happy hunting ground for the men in orange.

—Michael Randall

INJURY LIST:

Josh Kelly (calf) TBC

Aidan Corr (calf) 2 weeks

Matt de Boer (shoulder) 6-8 weeks

Lachie Keeffe (hand) 2 weeks

Xavier O’Halloran (knee) 4-6 weeks

Jon Patton (knee) TBC

Tommy Sheridan (calf) TBC

Zach Sproule (knee) 1 week

Callan Ward (knee) season

Lachie Whitfield (collarbone) test

HAWTHORN

The Hawks are coming off one of their best wins of the year, so it is hard to see them making too many changes. Conor Glass had a couple of horror turnovers against the Magpies and might be a little nervous about his job security. Daniel Howe could find himself in MRO trouble after kneeing Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury in the head during a tackle in the second quarter. As for who could come in, Chad Wingard is close to making his return from a hamstring injury. It would be touch and go for this week and the Hawks may even choose to bring him back through the VFL. Jack Scrimshaw is likely one more week away after his knee injury. In what would be a terrific story, Grant Birchall was named in the best in the VFL and could play his first game since Round 15, 2017. Ruckman Jonathan Cegler and veteran Jarryd Roughead were also in the best and given the struggles up forward, could be called upon.

— Liam Twomey

INJURY LIST:

Changkuoth Jiath (jaw) 1-3 weeks

Tom Mitchell (broken leg) indefinite

Tim Mohr (dislocated knee/ACL) season

Jarryd Roughead (side strain) test

Ryan Schoenmakers (calf) 1-3 weeks

Jack Scrimshaw (knee) 1 week

Chad Wingard (hamstring) 1 week

MELBOURNE

OK, so the season is pretty much a train wreck given the lack of wins. Let’s look at the positives as Jake Lever and Nev Jetta prepare to come back and stiffen Melbourne’s back six.

Steven May was tremendous against Mitch McGovern, Harry Petty did a couple of nice things before being concussed and Marty Hore (collarbone) has also been a find.

Against Carlton, Braydon Preuss was also excellent, even if Max Gawn (ankle) is a good chance to return next week.

Jayden Hunt kicked three second-half goals and could have set up a couple more in the first half. Kyle Dunkley set up Tom McDonald for a first-half goal and looks nice and rugged.

Add someone like Ed Langdon from Fremantle for even more run and carry and spend the next two months with Lever and May gelling together and at least they go into the pre-season with a sliver of silver lining.

— Jon Ralph

INJURY LIST:

Kade Chandler (hip) test

Jeff Garlett (shoulder) season

Max Gawn (ankle) test

Marty Hore (shoulder) TBC

Neville Jetta (knee) test

Kade Kolodjashnij (head) TBC

Declan Keilty (ankle) test

Jake Lever (knee) test

Tom McDonald (knee) TBC

Jake Melksham (foot) 2-3 weeks

Aaron Nietschke (knee) eason

Joel Smith (groin) season

Tom Sparrow (knee) 3-4 weeks

Billy Stretch (foot) TBC

Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) TBC

Guy Walker (shoulder) indefinite

NORTH MELBOURNE

Do the Roos even need to make a change? They’d love to inject Shaun Higgins back into the engine room, but he still appears at least a week away.

North could be sweating on a nasty corkie suffered by silky utility Mason Wood. Fingers crossed there.

There’s an old saying: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and never has it applied more to a Kangaroo line-up that just might be the form side of the competition under interim coach Rhyce Shaw.

Should go in as warm favourites against a Bombers’ side that will also feel like it is on the up and up.

—Michael Randall

INJURY LIST:

Mason Wood (corked thigh) TBC

Taylor Garner (club suspension) round 19

Aaron Hall (mental health) indefinite

Kyron Hayden (achilles) season

Shaun Higgins (AC joint) 1-2 weeks

Ben Jacobs (head/neck) indefinite

Tom McKenzie (back) TBC

Bailey Scott (foot) indefinite

Dom Tyson (calf) test

Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) season

Will Walker (knee) season

Tom Wilkinson (ankle) test

PORT ADELAIDE

Not many headaches for Ken Hinkley at selection this week where the only decision is who is the unlucky omission for Travis Boak.

Boak had a back spasm in the final minutes of the warm-up on Saturday night and was replaced by Sam Powell-Pepper who played well with 24 disposals but that is Boak’s spot and he will come straight in if fit to play.

Hinkley got a good response from his inclusions with Justin Westhoff, Karl Amon and Dougal Howard all playing strong footy after spending last week in either the SANFL or on the sidelines with suspension.

But there is a ‘watch and act’ warning on ruckman Scott Lycett who bravely played through knee soreness after clashing with Josh Jenkins in the first quarter on Saturday night.

“Knee on knee they look like PCL’s when you see them and you think that’s going to rule you out possibly, but he kept going,” Hinkley said of Lycett.

“Eight days will do him the world of good and hopefully he can get up again … I think he’s going to be OK when you consider he played out three-and-a-half quarters with it.”

If Lycett doesn’t come up for the Lions clash then Paddy Ryder or Peter Ladhams will be back in.

— Reece Homfray

INJURY LIST:

Travis Boak (back) test

Matthew Broadbent (mental health) indefinite

Scott Lycett (knee) test

Jake Patmore (knee) season

Jack Trengove (leg) indefinite

Jack Watts (leg) indefinite

RICHMOND

INJURY LIST:

Luke English (shoulder) test

Callum Moore (ankle) 3-4 weeks

Toby Nankervis (adductor) 2 weeks

Marlion Pickett (finger) 2-3 weeks

Alex Rance (knee) season

Jack Riewoldt (PCL) test

Jack Ross (ankle) 2-3 weeks

Fraser Turner (leg) 3-4 weeks

Things are getting pretty rosy down at Punt Road, with some ominous form coupling a shrinking injury list. The Tigers gave their percentage a welcome shot in the arm against the Suns, hammering the home side and announcing themselves as a potential top-four contender.

Jack Riewoldt is almost over his knee and the big question is: Will Damien hardwick bring back his star spearhead for a home clash with GWS — a game everyone at Richmond is looking is eagerly awaiting.

“That’s a pretty formidable challenge for us, we’ll get a better understanding of where we’re placed,” Hardwick said after his side’s demolition at Metricon Stadium.

“They beat us by about six goals earlier in the year so we’re looking forward to challenging ourselves against one of the better sides in the competition.”

— Ben Broad

ST KILDA

Add Josh Battle to St Kilda’s long list of injuries. Expect Dan Hannebery to come straight back into the side after he was managed this week.

Jack Lonie and Ed Phillips are a chance to add a little steel to the side this week, but the big question is will Jack Steven come back fit and firing.

They’d love to slot him into the guts to do his work, but it’s a question of when he feels ready.

The first quarter was seriously ugly against the Roos, but they showed signs after that, outscoring North by a point — even if it was game over at the first break.

It doesn’t get any harder than the next test — a trip to alphabet stadium to take on a Geelong side smarting from being pantsed by the Bulldogs.

A hammering could be the death knell for Alan Richardson. Will the players step up for their under-fire coach?

—Michael Randall

INJURY LIST:

Battle (adductor) TBC

Logan Austin (shoulder) indefinite

Jack Bytel (back) season

Jarryn Geary (leg) 6-8 weeks

Dean Kent (quad) season

Max King (ankle) season

Billy Longer (concussion) indefinite

Jack Lonie (knee) test

Paddy McCartin (concussion) season

Ed Phillips (hamstring) test

Lewis Pierce (concussion) indefinite

Dylan Roberton (heart) season

Jack Steven (mental health) 1-3 weeks

Jimmy Webster (hand) 1 week

SYDNEY SWANS

John Longmire hopes big man Darcy Cameron can overcome a quad issue and allow him to use versatile tall Aliir Aliir in his more-preferred role.

The Swans were forced to use Aliir in the ruck against the Bombers, where he performed well in his side’s disappointing loss.

“Aliir, to be fair on him, we like him down back … circumstances just meant that we have to change it and he still does a good job for us. He hasn’t played a lot in the ruck but he’s been pretty good,” Longmire said.

“To do it week in, week out against the biggest bodies like (Brodie) Grundy and (Max) Gawn, it can be quite taxing, but he adds that versatility … (and) gives you another midfielder at ground level.”

Longmire and the Swans still believe they can feature later in the year and continue their remarkable recent record.

“Clearly, we want to keep making finals … we might be the only team the last decade or so that’s been able to do it (consistently),” Longmire said.

“We want to keep doing it — that’s what we’re about, but we’ve still got to go forward as a team and we feel like we’re doing that. It’s not going to go always upwards. There’s going to be some plateaus and maybe even a step backwards, but there’s still some good signs.”

— Ben Broad

INJURY LIST:

Darcy Cameron (quad) test

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

WEST COAST

Forward Josh Kennedy, a late withdrawal against Fremantle with the flu, is set to return for Friday night’s cracker with the Magpies.

A key feature of the Round 17 opener will see Nic Naitanui go up against Collingwood star Brodie Grundy. Naitanui starred against Freo, showing two knee reconstructions haven’t robbed him of his trademark explosiveness at ground level.

“We have missed Nic,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said after the game.

“We had him for 17 weeks last year and it was really unfortunate he wasn’t there at the back end of the season. We are a better team with him in it.

“There is some mental scarring when you do two knees so dealing with that — it is a credit to Nic that he can let himself go and carry what he has been carrying being 114 or 115kg in the most combative position on the ground and he is probably the best at it.”

— Ben Broad

INJURY LIST:

Jarrod Brander (calf) test

Patrick Bines (hernia) TBC

Harry Edwards (foot) TBC

Mark Hutchings (hamstring) 2 weeks

Jack Petruccelle (hamstring) test

Nathan Vardy (knee) 1-2 weeks

Daniel Venables (concussion) TBC

WESTERN BULLDOGS

It was the “enormous” last quarter — and the ideal response — that coach Luke Beveridge was looking for.

And it might have locked Bulldogs premiership player Toby McLean back into the side for the back end of the season.

McLean was dropped after playing the first 12 games of the season.

But a best afield effort in the VFL last week, backed up by some incredible efforts as the Bulldogs stormed over the top of ladder leaders Geelong on Saturday night, was precisely the response the coach was looking for.

“(It) has been made glaringly obvious through the commentary (that) I asked him to come up with what we know he is capable of, and influence results,” Beveridge said.

“I felt like (against Geelong) he really influenced the result of what he was able to do.”

“He made a really solid contribution, and in the last quarter, when we went to the six-forwards mode, we needed a bit more one-on-one and aerial presence.

“He is not a tall player, Toby, but he is quite a competitor. I thought he had an enormous last quarter.”

McLean ended up with 101 Supercoach points, and while he is currently only in two per cent of teams, he might be a smoky forward/mid for $350,000.

— Glenn McFarlane

INJURY LIST:

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) test

Lukas Webb (ankle) 2-4 weeks