How injuries have hit every finals contender

SOMETIMES it’s not just the number you have out, but the quality of those players and the roles they play. Jon Anderson and Mark Robinson rank the 12 finals contenders for injury impact.

Collingwood’s Adam Treloar charges forward. Pic: Michael Klein

SOMETIMES it’s not just the number you have out injured (or suspended), but the quality of those players and the roles they play.

Then there is Collingwood, which has both quantity and quality missing, including three vital defensive components and two matchwinning forwards.

It sees the Pies ranked first on this list of teams that have been hit hardest of the 12 remaining September hopefuls (in terms of players missing from their best 22). For Mark Robinson, the Pies have a couple too many missing.

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“I thought Collingwood couldn’t win it before Darcy Moore went down and now I’m sure. Having said that, if GWS or Collingwood win this year’s premiership it will signify an extraordinary coaching performance,” Robinson said.

“Richmond, despite recent minor injuries, are my premiership selection because of the way they play, their player availability and the injury doubts on rivals.”

Adam Treloar is one of eight key Magpies missing with injury.

When Dan Butler returns possibly in Round 22, Richmond will have close to a full list for selection, including all of its top-ranked 22 players.

GWS, on the other hand, has key role players unavailable, although there remains a steely resolve among the available players to prove they are a lot more than just a very talented collection of mainly high draft picks.

HOW YOUR CLUB RATES ON LIST AVAILABILITY (FROM WORST TO BEST)

1: COLLINGWOOD

Missing from best 22: Jordan De Goey, Lynden Dunn, Jamie Elliott, Tyson Goldsack, Darcy Moore, Matthew Scharenberg, Adam Treloar, Daniel Wells

2: GWS GIANTS

Missing from best 22: Aidan Corr, Brett Deledio, Jon Patton, Tom Scully, Dawson Simpson, Zac Williams, Toby Greene

3: WEST COAST

Missing from best 22: Andrew Gaff, Josh Kennedy, Eric McKenzie/Will Schofield, Nic Naitanui

4: MELBOURNE

Missing from best 22: Michael Hibberd, Jake Lever, Jack Viney

5: HAWTHORN

Missing from best 22: Grant Birchall, Ben McEvoy, James Sicily

Ben McEvoy is about three weeks away from a return from a broken cheekbone.

6: ESSENDON

Missing from best 22: Patrick Ambrose/Matt Dea, Joe Daniher, Martin Gleeson, Shaun McKernan

7: SYDNEY

Missing from best 22: Zak Jones (susp) Gary Rohan, Lewis Mellican, Callum Mills, Sam Reid

8: ADELAIDE

Missing from best 22: Brad Crouch, Kyle Hartigan, Paul Seedsman

9, GEELONG

Missing from best 22: Jed Bews, Nakia Cockatoo, Lincoln McCarthy, Esava Ratugolea

Joe Daniher has played only seven games this year.

North Melbourne tagger Ben Jacobs is out indefinitely with concussion.

10. NORTH MELBOURNE

Missing from best 22: Taylor Garner, Ben Jacobs, Ed Vickers-Willis

11. PORT ADELAIDE

Missing from best 22: Matthew Broadbent, Hamish Hartlett

12. RICHMOND

Missing from best 22: Dan Butler (last round the Tigers were without Nathan Broad, Jack Graham, Bachar Houli and Dion Prestia, all of whom are expected back this week or next).

Analysis by Jon Anderson and Mark Robinson

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