Barometer: We look at every club’s injury list after Round 22
THERE’S just one game remaining until every finals slot is locked away. Which contender might have their challenge cruelled by injury, and who can bolster their premiership push? EVERY CLUB
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WE CAN see September, and so can at least eight AFL clubs. Maybe nine if you give Port a chance of sneaking into the finals.
But who might be a very different-looking side next month?
While several clubs are preparing to finish their campaigns in style this weekend, others are thinking bigger picture, and are eagerly eyeing their injury list ahead of a September assault.
TACKLE: BUDDY MIGHT BE BEST WE’VE SEEN
ALL-AUSTRALIAN: JON RALPH NAMES HIS SQUAD
Collingwood, GWS and West Coast have been among the hardest hit throughout the home and away season, but is there a silver lining to their injury clouds?
Check out every club’s stocks below - as well as who is making a push to return at the lower level.
ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Brodie Smith (calf) test
Tom Doedee (collarbone) season
Brad Crouch (groin) season
Harry Dear (knee) season
Kyle Hartigan (knee) season
Andrew McPherson (hamstring) indefinite
Reilly O’Brien (shoulder) season
Daniel Talia (corked leg) test
Taylor Walker (suspension) season
ON THE CUSP: With Tom Doedee expected to miss the Crows’ final game of the year against Carlton this weekend it opens the door for Alex Keath, Daniel Talia or Brodie Smith to return from their respective injuries to bolster Adelaide’s defence. Talia is the least likely given he’s been battling a cracked shin for weeks and has been playing through the pain. But if none of them put their hand up then perhaps young forwards Darcy Fogarty or Elliott Himmelberg will be a chance. Fogarty has shown promise in his first year and Himmelberg was close to debuting against North Melbourne on the weekend.
ON THE BLOCK: Doedee is the only obvious change from Adelaide’s side which held on to a thrilling win over the Kangaroos on Sunday. But if the Crows are hellbent on making changes to play the Blues so they can look at some young and emerging talent, then Andy Otten who was Keath’s replacement on the weekend could be in trouble. Otten played his first game since Round 13 and it may well have been his last at AFL level as he waits for a contract for next season.
REECE HOMFRAY’S FORECAST: The Crows can launch themselves into pre-season with back-to-back wins if they can get over Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday and miraculously may finish above crosstown rival Port Adelaide on the ladder if the Power loses to Essendon on Friday night. Playing only for pride, Adelaide at least showed glimpses of its free-flowing and high-scoring footy on the weekend and will be looking to continue that against the Blues. I’d expect Smith in for Otten and Keath, Fogarty or Himmelberg for the injured Doedee at selection to finish the year.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURIES
Alex Witherden (hamstring) season
Oscar McInerney (illness) test
Tom Fullarton (calf) test
Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) season
Marco Paparone (hamstring) season
Charlie Cameron (ankle) season
Matt Eagles (abdominal) season
Jack Payne (shin) season
Tom Bell (ankle) season
ON THE BLOCK: The Lions lost Alex Witherden in the opening quarter of the Q-Clash and the immediate expectation from the club was that he will not be available to take on West Coast. Ryan Lester was a late in for Oscar McInerney and would be first in line if the coach decided he needed to make changes, however although they didn’t play their best footy the Lions got an important win and there is unlikely to be much upheaval.
ON THE CUSP: McInerney was a late out due to illness and would be first choice to return. Brisbane likes what he brings in the ruck and he is proving to be another making option in attack. Sam Mayes was good across half-back in the NEAFL but Zac Bailey was a revelation there in the seniors. Corey Lyons was the pick of the midfielders in the twos.
ANDREW HAMILTON’S FORECAST: Brisbane is hunting another big scalp in West Coast. The Lions younger players look like they are starting to run out of puff and the Q Clash performance was more gritty than electrifying. However, they got the points and with an extra day’s break are capable of pushing the top-two contenders all the way.
CARLTON
INJURIES
David Cuningham (hamstring) season
Sam Docherty (knee) season
Zac Fisher (lower leg) season
Liam Jones (knee) season
Matthew Kennedy (ankle) season
Matthew Kreuzer (heart) season
Kym LeBois (hamstring) 1 weeks
Andrew Phillips (hamstring) season
Lachie Plowman (knee) season
Alex Silvagni (achilles) season
Tom Williamson (back) season
ON THE BLOCK: When you have a crack like the Blues did, there is a good chance Carlton won’t make many changes against Adelaide next week. The kids were solid, the talls stood up and Patrick Cripps should be fine to play despite another battering against the Dogs. It would make it his first 22-game season in his five years. Tom De Koning certainly did enough on debut to get another game, and kids like Paddy Dow, Lochie O’Brien and Cam Poulson are doing enough to keep their spot in the side.
ON THE CUSP: Levi Casboult kicked two goals in the Northern Blues win, and while he’s definitely in the club’s future why not give Curnow, Harry McKay and De Koning another crack as the tall trio? McKay is finally getting up and down the ground well, as Bolton said vindicating the club’s decision to get him fit before he played regular senior footy again.
JON RALPH’S FORECAST: The fifth wooden spoon in this century is sobering but at least the Blues are going down swinging. Matthew Lobbe is a find, Kade Simpson has never played better and Dale Thomas is playing as well as at any time in his Blues career. Adelaide looms as a tough task, but Paddy Dow will play his 21st game next week and O’Brien his 18th game, pumping nearly 40 games into their top two picks from last year.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURIES
Ben Reid (calf) indefinite
Darcy Moore (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Jeremy Howe (corked thigh) test
Tyson Goldsack (back) test
Flynn Appleby (hamstring) test
Adam Treloar (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Kayle Kirby (heart issue) indefinite
Jamie Elliott (hamstring) season
Matthew Scharenberg (knee) season
Lynden Dunn (knee) season
Daniel Wells (foot) season
Tim Broomhead (broken leg) season
ON THE BLOCK: It was just his second game of 2018, but defender Adam Oxley could find himself out of the side if Jeremy Howe recovers from his corked leg. Oxley kicked a goal and had 12 touches, but his disposal efficiency was just 50 per cent.
ON THE CUSP: Jeremy Howe is expected to be fit, but we’ll wait and see if a trip to Perth on Saturday is the best medicine. Sam McLarty has been on the verge of a call-up for a few weeks now, but hard to see who goes out for him. Alex Fasolo kicked five in the VFL, but again, it’s not the Magpies’ forward line that has the holes. Unless, of course, Jordan De Goey is in fact a bit sore. Adam Treloar said last week he hopes to return in coming weeks. “I’m hoping that all goes well with the boys, we keep winning and playing good footy, that I can get back potentially for the first final. But I’ve just got to play it day by day,” he told Fox Footy.
ELIZA SEWELL’S FORECAST: Collingwood is third and a win against Fremantle will assure them a top-four finish. Victory could see the Magpies surge to second on the ladder (if West Coast loses to the Lions) and at worst, they would be fourth. An unlikely loss would see the Magpies slip definitely out of the four and possibly as far as sixth. I reckon Collingwood will hold on to third, setting up a likely first final against the Eagles in Perth.
ESSENDON
INJURIES
Orazio Fantasia (hamstring) test
Ben McNiece (knee) test
Martin Gleeson (ankle) season
Joe Daniher (groin) indefinite
Patrick Ambrose (hamstring) season
Josh Begley (knee) season
Shaun McKernan (hamstring) season
Mason Redman (ankle) season
ON THE BLOCK: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti hurt his ankle and could be in some doubt, while Brendon Goddard and Cale Hooker are nursing lingering leg problems. Matt Guelfi returned to the team and had just four kicks.
ON THE CUSP: It could be time to give Jayden Laverde a chance. The tall ball-winner has been in good late season form and will be keenly eyeing a spot in the best 22 next season. Half-back Jordan Ridley is also in the mix.
JAY CLARK’S FORECAST: Mathematically, it is still possible, but Essendon won’t play finals this year. It would appear to be a step backwards this season after making September last year, but John Worsfold is adamant it’s not a wasted year. Can finish on a high with a win against Port Adelaide on Friday night.
FREMANTLE
INJURIES
Andrew Brayshaw (jaw) season
Cam Sutcliffe (hamstring) 1 week
Luke Ryan (hamstring) TBC
Harley Bennell (calf) TBC
Joel Hamling (calf) test
Stephen Hill (quad) test
Aaron Sandilands (calf) test
Michael Apeness (hamstring) season
Connor Blakely (knee) season
Griffin Logue (ankle) season
ON THE BLOCK: There will be plenty of under-performing players facing the axe after Fremantle’s record-breaking 133-point loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday. Forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Cam McCarthy were goalless and only had four touches apiece, while several others will be sweating over their place in the side ahead of the Dockers’ final-round clash against Collingwood at Perth Stadium.
ON THE CUSP: Will Fremantle coach Ross Lyon bring back veteran Danyle Pearce for a likely farewell match? While he hasn’t officially retired, Pearce is out of contract at season’s end and probably won’t be at the Dockers next year. He has been Peel Thunder’s best player in the past couple of months. Young forward Hugh Dixon, who signed a new one-year deal last week, impressed in Peel’s narrow WAFL loss to Claremont with three majors. Untried midfielder Tom North also did some good things, but there weren’t too many other Dockers-listed players putting their hands up for a call-up.
JORDAN McARDLE’S FORECAST: The end of the season can’t come soon enough for Ross Lyon and the Dockers. After a promising win against Carlton the week before, Fremantle went about 10 steps back with arguably the worst performance in its history. Plenty of Dockers supporters are calling for Lyon’s head, despite the former St Kilda coach being contracted until the end of 2020.
GEELONG
INJURIES
Rhys Stanley (calf) test
Stewart Crameri (groin) test
Jed Bews (shoulder) test
Lincoln McCarthy (hamstring) test
Esava Ratugolea (knee) indefinite
Cory Gregson (foot) season
Nakia Cockatoo (knee) season
Aaron Black (knee) season
ON THE BLOCK: Pretty hard to make changes to a team that won by 22 goals. While exactly where to play Harry Taylor is something Chris Scott needs to work out over the next couple of weeks, the one spot that appears up for grabs is the small defender’s role. Jed Bews is still out with a shoulder problem with Irishman Mark O’Connor getting the gig the last couple of games although is he the answer going into September?
ON THE CUSP: The Cats’ VFL team had a 13-goal win, so there are plenty of players in good touch at the lower level. Quinton Narkle went back and had 30 touches and a goal while Stewart Crameri kicked four goals. Zach Guthrie was named in the best and could be a candidate for that small defenders role.
SCOTT GULLAN’S FORECAST: The only question is whether to rest any players. Dan Menzel looked sore at the end of the Fremantle game and maybe could benefit from a couple of weeks off to freshen up before the finals. After trying a number of kids through the small forward/wing roles maybe the size and experience of the likes of Jordan Murdoch and Jackson Thurlow looks like being the way to go. It looked good on Saturday and maybe it’s time Scott settled his line-up for a finals tilt.
GOLD COAST
INJURIES
Rory Thompson (hamstring) test
Tom Nicholls (shoulder) test
Jesse Lonergan (knee) TBC
Connor Nutting (leg) TBC
Will Brodie (hamstring) season
Pearce Hanley (hamstring) season
Peter Wright (knee) season
Charlie Ballard (knee) season
Jack Martin (calf) season
Harrison Wigg (fractured ankle) season
Mackenzie Willis (ACL) season
Sam Day (shoulder) season
Aaron Hall (pectoral) season
Josh Jaska (wrist) season
Connor Nutting (leg) season
Tom Lynch (knee) season
ON THE BLOCK: The cupboard is almost bare for coach Stuart Dew and the Suns are coming of one of their better performances of the second half of the season against Brisbane so widespread changes are unlikely. Veteran midfielder Michael Barlow has been the last resort all year and could never feel safe, however with the way Geelong humiliated Fremantle, the Suns may prefer older blokes for the trip south.
ON THE CUSP: Rory Thompson faces a fitness test after missing a couple of games with hamstring tightness. Jacob Dawson starred in a NEAFL thrashing and would have put his name forward for his fourth AFL game. Josh Schoenfeld also got plenty of the ball but considering he was overlooked for Barlow for the Q Clash, despite the former Docker missing the past NEAFL game for personal reasons, it would be unusual for him to leapfrog him into the seniors now. Darcy McPherson is also building strong for after an injury layoff.
ANDREW HAMILTON’S FORECAST: The real fear for Dew is that his men treated the Q-Clash like their Grand Final after the “soft” sledge from Lion Nick Robertson and now check out a week early. The inconsistency of effort has been the most disappointing aspect about Gold Coast this year and their poor percentage shows they are getting thumped more often than last season. It is tough to mount a case for them but Dew will be desperate for his men to at least fight to the finish.
GWS GIANTS
INJURIES
Ryan Griffin (hamstring) TBC
Phil Davis (hip) test
Josh Kelly (concussion) test
Sam Reid (hamstring) test
Tim Mohr (ankle) test
Matt Flynn (quad) test
Aidan Corr (groin) test
Sam Taylor (hamstring) 1 week
Toby Greene (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Brett Deledio (calf) 2-3 weeks
Nick Shipley (ankle) 4 weeks
Dawson Simpson (ankle) 6 weeks
Heath Shaw (knee) season
Tom Scully (ankle) season
Will Setterfield (knee) season
Lachie Tiziani (knee) season
Jonathon Patton (knee) season
ON THE BLOCK: The eight-day break will work in favour of Phil Davis, who is trying to recover from a hip pointer injury. Ryan Griffen (hamstring) looks to have played his final game for the season — and possibly his career.
ON THE CUSP: Josh Kelly is expected to be cleared to play against the Demons on Sunday after copping a concussion from Taylor Walker’s sling tackle. Utility Sam Reid is also likely to be available after recovering from a hamstring strain. Zac Williams (Achilles) played well in his first game back in the NEAFL but looks likely to be given another match at the lower level.
NEIL CORDY’S FORECAST: The injury-ravaged Giants have lost their shot at a top-four spot but need to beat Melbourne to host an elimination final. The return of Josh Kelly will be a huge inclusion and if Phil Davis can prove his fitness GWS will be a lot happier heading to the MCG.
HAWTHORN
INJURIES
James Frawley (back) test
Jarryd Roughead (ankle) test
Mitch Lewis (shoulder) test
James Sicily (wrist) 1-2 weeks
Daniel Howe (suspension) finals week one
Grant Birchall (knee) 1 week
Will Langford (hamstring) 2 weeks
Harry Jones (shoulder) season
ON THE BLOCK: James Frawley is the big one to watch this week. He jarred his back on Saturday night and missed a large chunk of the second half so will be tested this week before his chances of facing Sydney are determined. Maybe better to save him for finals. You’d have to think Irishman Conor Nash would be safe after his second start yielded 16 disposals and a goal.
ON THE CUSP: James Sicily has declared himself a slim chance to return this week following a wrist injury and would be a huge inclusion as the Hawks prepare to fight for a top-four spot. Skipper Jarryd Roughead could return from his ankle injury, as could Grant Birchall (knee).
LAUREN WOOD’S FORECAST: What a contest looms. So much is on the line this weekend – a top-four spot, a double chance and one hell of a wave of momentum leading into September. The Hawks have the wood over Sydney at the SCG in recent times, winning four on the trot. Don’t expect either Alastair Clarkson or John Longmire – who were embroiled in a mini war of words earlier this season – to hold anything back.
MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Oskar Baker (hamstring) 5 weeks
Jesse Hogan (foot) season
Jayden Hunt (ankle) 1-3 weeks
Jake Lever (knee) season
Corey Maynard (hip) season
Joel Smith (collarbone) 1 week
Billy Stretch (toe) season
Bernie Vince (shoulder) season
Jack Viney (toe) 2 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: No injuries out of the trip to Perth, so it looks like it should be steady sailing into the final round clash with Greater Western Sydney.
ON THE CUSP: There’s no best-22 players that are on the cusp of a return just yet, with Jayden Hunt and Jack Viney still a few weeks away at best. However, Josh Wagner (28 disposals, eight tackles) and Tom Bugg (28 disposals, seven tackles) both did their best to put their names in the mix for Casey in the VFL on Saturday.
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S FORECAST: The wait is over and the pressure is off the final round. Melbourne will play finals for the first time since 2006 regardless of how they go against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday. That does not mean the Demons will be taking the game lightly, though. No doubt coach Simon Goodwin will be looking to take another scalp and some momentum into September, while a top-four finish is not completely out of the picture, either.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURIES
Will Walker (ankle) TBC
Sam Durdin (broken leg) season
Taylor Garner (hamstring) test
Ben Jacobs (concussion/neck) TBC
Alex Morgan (calf) test
Billy Hartung (hamstring) test
Braydon Preuss (general soreness) test
Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) season
Declan Watson (knee) season
Josh Williams (back) test
Tristan Xerri (groin) test
Cam Zurhaar (ankle) 3-4 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: Their finals hopes over, it’s hard to see coach Brad Scott making too many changes. Ben Brown was the side’s quietest against the Crows, but will be looking to bounce back as he sits just two behind Jack Riewoldt in the Coleman Medal race.
ON THE CUSP: Nothing to note in the VFL, with North Melbourne having had a weekend bye. Taylor Garner (hamstring) could well return, though.
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S FORECAST: They won’t be playing finals this year but North Melbourne has shown plenty and will be favoured to score a 12th win to finish the season against St Kilda on Sunday, having thumped the Saints by 52 points back in Round 2. For a team that many tipped to win the wooden spoon after just six wins last year, it has been pretty remarkable and there is plenty of talented youth who should be ready to take further leaps forward next year.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURIES
Karl Amon (knee) test
Matthew Broadbent (foot) season
Charlie Dixon (broken leg) season
Willem Drew (heel) season
Joel Garner (shoulder) season
Hamish Hartlett (knee) season
Sam Hayes (knee) season
Emmanuel Irra (knee) season
Todd Marshall (foot) 1-2 weeks
Trent McKenzie (concussion) test
Jimmy Toumpas (wrist) test
ON THE CUSP: It might just be the week that Ken Hinkley throws caution to the wind and gives Billy Frampton a call-up from the SANFL to get a different look at the ruck and forward situation, with Paddy Ryder both recovering from injury and being needed in both areas. Sam Powell-Pepper should be recalled after a strong performance in the reserves.
ON THE BLOCK: There were a raft of underperformers against Collingwood. Former Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff will probably hang on because he has enough runs on the board but Aidyn Johnson, Kane Farrell, Riley Bonner and Darcy Byrne-Jones can’t be certain of a game.
JESPER FJELDSTAD’S PREDICTION: Port Adelaide form just hasn’t been good enough over the past month and a bit - even with a finals spot potentially on the line. The players have moments, even passages, when they can mix it with the best but have not looked like kicking 100 points for a long time. Essendon by four or five goals.
RICHMOND
INJURIES
Trent Cotchin (hamstring) test
David Astbury (achilles) test
Dion Prestia (hamstring) test
Kane Lambert (ankle) 1 week
Shai Bolton (knee) 2 weeks
Dan Butler (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Mabior Chol (foot) 1-2 weeks
Oleg Markov (knee) 1-2 weeks
Nathan Drummond (knee) indefinite
ON THE BLOCK: No serious injury concerns out of Friday night’s win over Essendon. Jason Castagna did leave the ground in the second quarter with a sore quad, but was able to play out the game. Ryan Garthwaite, Sam Lloyd and Liam Baker weren’t disgraced, but will struggle to hold their spots with a host of premiership stars set to return. Reece Conca looked to have done enough in his comeback game.
ON THE CUSP: Coach Damien Hardwick said skipper Trent Cotchin, David Astbury and Dion Prestia will all return to the senior side this week for the final match of the regular season. Kane Lambert is another week away with his ankle injury and Dan Butler most likely another couple off with the same problem.
SAM EDMUND’S FORECAST: The machine rolls on to secure the minor premiership and yet “Dimma” terms his side a “work in progress”. It is a scary thought, but also an accurate one. They’ve had a late-season personnel challenge, but with high-quality reinforcements set to arrive for the final round and the first final, it’s not illogical to assume only Richmond can beat Richmond at this stage. This week’s assignment - the Western Bulldogs at the MCG - is a meaningless game, but the Tigers will see it as a dress rehearsal.
ST KILDA
INJURIES
Jarryn Geary (concussion) test
Tom Hickey (hamstring) season
Billy Longer (ankle) season
Josh Battle (concussion) 1-2 weeks
Logan Austin (groin) test
Nathan Wright (knee) test
Paddy McCartin (foot) season
Shane Savage (hamstring) season
Josh Bruce (leg) season
Dylan Roberton (heart) season
ON THE BLOCK: Captain Jarryn Geary will need to be assessed after a heavy knock saw him concussed on Saturday night. Hugh Goddard was quiet in his long-awaited return and could be the one to make way for Jake Carlisle.
ON THE CUSP: Carlisle will return after missing for personal reasons. Hunter Clark was Sandringham’s best player in a loss to the Northern Blues and could return, while Luke Dunstan was also among those that impressed. Nathan Freeman was, as coach Alan Richardson put it, “stiff” to miss out against the Hawks. Carlisle is also expected back after he missed due to back soreness and an interrupted preparation following the birth of his son, Nash.
LAUREN WOOD’S FORECAST: The Saints looked a much-improved outfit against the Hawks and were lauded by Richardson for what he described as a long-awaited four-quarter performance that had 22 contributors. He is determined to ensure that they get another one in before the end of the season and they have a prime opportunity to show it wasn’t just a once-off against North Melbourne this weekend.
SYDNEY
INJURIES
Harry Marsh (hamstring) 1 week
Sam Reid (achilles) 1-2 weeks
Jack Maibaum (knee) 2-3 weeks
Lewis Melican (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Nick Smith (hamstring) 5 weeks
Alex Johnson (knee) season
Sam Naismith (knee) season
Callum Mills (foot) season
Matthew Ling (toe) season
ON THE BLOCK: The Swans came through unscathed from their impressive 20-point win over GWS at Spotless Stadium so changes to the line-up look unlikely. The team showed much improved ball movement through the middle and ran away from the Giants in the second half. That mobility will be vital if they are to overcome the Hawks on Saturday night at the SCG.
ON THE CUSP: Heath Grundy was among the best in the NEAFL in his first game in three weeks after taking leave to deal with mental health issues. Dean Towers and Darcy Cameron also played well in the win over the GWS reserves.
NEIL CORDY’S FORECAST: The stakes could not be higher for the Swans and Hawks with a top-four spot up for grabs. The past four clashes between the heavyweights have been decided by single figure margins with Alistair Clarkson’s men ahead 3-1 in those battles. As well as the clash of the coaches Lance Franklin will be looking to snare his sixth Coleman Medal by overhauling Ben Brown and Jack Riewoldt. He booted 10 in Round 23 last year against Carlton.
WEST COAST
INJURIES
Jack Darling (concussion) TBC
Andrew Gaff (suspension) season
Josh Kennedy (shin) 1 week
Eric Mackenzie (toe) season
Fraser McInnes (adductor) test
Nic Naitanui (knee) season
Tony Olango (hamstring) 1 week
Will Schofield (hamstring) 1 week
Callan England (quad) test
ON THE BLOCK: West Coast will monitor Jack Darling during the week after the star forward suffered a head knock in the opening term of his side’s shock loss to Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Sunday. It’s unlikely coach Adam Simpson will make too many unforced changes so close to finals.
ON THE CUSP: Young forward Jake Waterman continues to push his case for a recall, booting 10 goals in his last two WAFL appearances for East Perth. Waterman appears the front-runner for Darling’s spot should he not recover in time for Sunday’s clash against Brisbane at the Gabba. Fellow Eagles-listed players Oscar Allen and Jackson Nelson were also among the Royals’ best in their derby loss to West Perth on Saturday.
JORDAN McARDLE’S FORECAST: Sunday’s loss to Melbourne isn’t the end of the world for the Eagles, who can still qualify for a home final with a final-round win over the Lions in Brisbane. Win or lose this weekend, West Coast will remain in the top four. Speedster Dom Sheed looks to have cemented his spot in September with an impressive performance against the Demons. In and out of the side several times this season, Sheed stepped up in the absence of suspended midfielder Andrew Gaff to finish with 31 disposals and a goal. Simpson will be looking forward to getting dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy back for the first week of finals.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURIES
Marcus Bontempelli (back) test
Marcus Adams (shoulder) test
Shane Biggs (knee) test
Tom Boyd (back) 1-2 weeks
Zaine Cordy (fractured forehead) 1 week
Luke Dahlhaus (ankle) season
Bailey Dale (foot) season
Tom Liberatore (knee) season
Jack Redpath (knee) season
Liam Picken (concussion) season
Matt Suckling (achilles) season
Lukas Webb (neck) season
Bailey Williams (foot) 1-2 weeks
ON THE BLOCK: A third straight win for the Dogs came with Marcus Bontempelli seriously banged up after a second straight hit to his tender back, this time courtesy of Carlton’s Jed Lamb. He could miss against premier Richmond, but he seemed the only injury for the Dogs in their hard-fought win over Carlton on Sunday. Apart from his potential loss, most Dogs kept up their end as Caleb Daniel, Lachie Hunter, Jason Johannisen, and Josh Dunkley all performed strongly. Captain Easton Wood got though well after a long-term hamstring strain and should be fine to play against the tigers.
ON THE CUSP: The Dogs kicked 4.16 in their loss to Essendon in the VFL, with Mitch Honeychurch the best AFL-listed player and few others thrusting their hands up to be elevated. Tim English kicked a goal and took four marks, but with Jordan Roughead and Jackson Trengove performing strongly as a ruck tandem he isn’t forcing his way into the team. Roarke Smith had a dozen touches coming back from concussion.
JON RALPH’S FORECAST: The Dogs will be keen to upset the Tigers in a full finals dress rehearsal but why would they risk their most valuable property Marcus Bontempelli if there is any chance he can do more damage to his back. From the mid-season lows the Dogs have got their frenetic pressure back, have made a host of successful positional switches, have Dunkley, JJ, Jackson Macrae and Hunter in great form and are playing the kids in Fergus Greene, Josh Schache and Brad Lynch. It’s been an encouraging way to finish a year that has been full of early disappointment.
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