The Barometer: We take a look at every AFL club’s list and injuries after opening JLT Series matches
Essendon has been dealt a major injury blow with key swingman Cale Hooker suffering a calf injury at training that will see him miss the opening rounds of the season. Get the lowdown on all the injury news at your club.
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Essendon swingman Cale Hooker will miss the start of the 2019 season after suffering a calf injury.
Hooker will miss the next four to six weeks after straining his calf at training.
GET THE LOWDOWN ON EVERY CLUB’S INJURY LIST BELOW
The 30-year-old had just recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Bombers’ JLT Series loss to Carlton but was due to face Geelong on Thursday night.
“Cale was doing the last training session before he was due to return for JLT (game) two,” Essendon fitness boss Justin Crow told the club’s website.
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“Unfortunately for Cale, he’s picked up a soleus injury — a calf strain — that will cost him six weeks.
“Cale had been doing everything right, he’s a professional.
“It’s disappointing news for us and him, but we’ll have to get back to rehab and keep building him up towards an early-season return.”
The injury means Hooker will miss Essendon’s season opener against Greater Western Sydney on March 24 and its Round 2 clash against St Kilda.
A four-week return would see him racing the clock to be fit for the blockbuster against Melbourne on April 5.
The Bombers also face Brisbane and North Melbourne in the opening five rounds.
Star recruit Dylan Shiel is expected to be fit for Thursday night’s clash against the Cats after suffering a corked quad in the loss to the Blues.
GET THE LOWDOWN ON EVERY CLUB’S INJURY LIST BELOW
ADELAIDE
The Crows could get four first-choice players back to play the Giants in Canberra on Friday night and look like going into Round 1 at full strength. Expect Knight to miss after hurting his foot late in Saturday’s win over Port but Talia, Gibbs and Greenwood should all return either at AFL or SANFL level this week. Taylor Walker copped a kick in the shin late in Saturday’s game but will be OK. First-round draftee Chayce Jones played a half in Port Pirie and kicked a nice goal but remains an outside chance to force his way into the team for Round 1 against Hawthorn at home. — Reece Homfray
INJURIES
Riley Knight (foot)
Hugh Greenwood (abdominal strain)
Luke Brown (ankle/achilles)
Daniel Talia (knee)
Bryce Gibbs (shoulder)
THIS WEEK: v GWS in Canberra, Saturday, 7.10pm
BRISBANE
The Lions will keep a close eye on Charlie Cameron this week after his day against the Hawks came to an early end. Cameron appeared to suffer some hamstring tightness however, the club says it was only cramping. The exciting forward had 17 goals to his name before injury ruined his 2018 in Round 11 and Brisbane can’t afford to be without him for extended periods this year. Expect him to be nursed through the rest of the pre-season. Following an off-season knee injury, Marcus Adams is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1. The club believes he is only three weeks away but given a lack of pre-season training, he may have to wait before playing his first game for his new club. Allen Christensen is nursing an ankle injury but is hopeful of playing Round 1.
INJURIES
Allen Christensen — Ankle
Darcy Gardiner — Knee
Marcus Adams — Knee
Jarrod Berry — Glandular fever
Josh Walker — Ankle
Jack Payne — Shin
Connor McFadyen — Foot
CARLTON
The Carlton players have been praising Sam Walsh all summer and now the public is seeing why. As one excitable Blues fan said after the win over Essendon: “If Chris Judd and Joel Selwood had a baby, it would be Sam Walsh.”
Michael Gibbons said the Blues had even targeted Walsh in pre-season sessions to steel him for senior football.
“We’ve really tried to give him a bit to see how he goes and he just runs around us, he’s too good,” Gibbons said.
“We’re happy he’s on our team, he’s a superstar. A superstar.” — Sam Edmund
INJURIES
Matthew Kreuzer (knee) Test
Sam Docherty (knee) Indefinite
Alex Fasolo (arm) 2-3
Darcy Lang (foot) TBC
Caleb Marchbank (back) TBC
Jarrod Pickett (knee) Indefinite
Tom Williamson (back) Test
Harrison Macreadie (back) TBC
THIS WEEK: v Collingwood in Morwell, Monday March 11, 7.10pm
ESSENDON
The most important thing for Joe Daniher was to get through his first match in seven months unscathed. Mission accomplished.
In his comeback game from a debilitating osteitis pubis problem, Daniher was picked by Liam Jones. The big Bomber kicked the first goal of the game, but was otherwise quiet on his return before sitting out the last quarter.
But as they say, he’ll be better for the run. — Sam Edmund
INJURIES
Cale Hooker (calf)
Dylan Shiel (corked quad)
Tom Jok (concussion)
Josh Begley (knee)
Marty Gleeson (ankle)
Cale Hooker (hamstring)
Kobe Mutch (ankle)
Mason Redman (ankle)
THIS WEEK: v Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, Thursday, 7.10pm
GEELONG
Plenty to like for Cats fan in their JLT Series opener — and plenty to work on. It’s only one game but draftee Jordan Clark looks a ripper and is set to play from Round 1, his intercepting and pace a feature in a back half that can do with leg-speed. Tom Atkins impressed as the former VFL star joined new additions Gary Rohan and Luke Dahlhaus, that trio set to vie for the pressuring front-half roles. Brandan Parfitt has enjoyed a big summer and will play more midfield but remains dangerous near goal.
Gary Ablett is likely to face Essendon on Thursday night, so his debut as a more-permanent forward will be eagerly watched. Tom Hawkins (late withdrawal v Eagles) should also return which will give the forward half a very different look. Zach Tuohy continues to race the clock for Round 1, while Cats fans hope the exciting Nakia Cockatoo can finally get a crack at it and show the footy world his prodigious talent. — Ben Broad
INJURIES
Zac Smith (knee)
Nakia Cockatoo (adductor)
Zach Tuohy (knee)
Lachie Fogarty (hip)
Harry Taylor (head knock)
THIS WEEK: v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, Thursday, 7.10pm
GOLD COAST
Pretty sunny skies for the Suns, with Wigg the only long-term concern after ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a training session last month. Josh Schoenfeld is the only other player ruled out of Round 1, having had ankle surgery last month. Pearce Hanley and Jack Hombsch were both rested for the first JLT game against the Bulldogs but will be back to tackle Sydney on Sunday. — Chris Cavanagh
INJURIES
Sean Lemmens (ankle)
Josh Corbett (knee)
Jack Leslie (knee)
Nic Holman (back)
Corey Ellis (groin)
Josh Schoenfeld (ankle)
Harrison Wigg (knee)
THIS WEEK: v Sydney Swans in Lismore, Sunday, 1.10pm
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
It was the old and new bringing a smile to the face of Leon Cameron in their win over the Swans. Veteran Heath Shaw was his usual prolific self in defence, while Tim Taranto looks to have further progressed and draftee Jye Caldwell caught the eye. The attack, while still a work in progress, looked promising, with Jeremy Cameron set to play more of a roaming role in 2019. GWS will only be strengthened by Toby Greene’s return. Exactly when that is remains the key question. Nick Haynes is racing the clock to be ready for Round 1 following a back injury. The Giants got through Saturday night’s game without any extra injuries.
INJURIES
Jon Patton (knee)
Adam Tomlinson (calf)
Toby Greene (ankle)
Nick Haynes (back)
THIS WEEK: v Adelaide in Canberra, Saturday, 7.10pm
HAWTHORN
The Hawks were far from full strength against the Lions, with a host of senior players not making the trip north. We expect the likes of Luke Breust, and Jarryd Roughead to play in JLT 2 while Jack Gunston is also in the mix. However, the big name for the Hawks is Chad Wingard, who won’t make his debut in his new colours until Round 2 at the earliest. Wingard suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury last week. From the match against the Lions, David Mirra was the only injury casualty after he hurt his ankle.
INJURIES
Grant Birchall Knee
Tom Mitchell Leg
Tom Scully Ankle
Jack Gunston ITB soreness
Jacob Koschitzke Finger
David Mirra Ankle
Chad Wingard Calf
MELBOURNE
All summer the Demons have worried about a short pre-season and the dozen surgeries their stars underwent after the preliminary final.
If you Port Adelaide you would think they were eminently gettable in Round 1 at the MCG.
All of a sudden Simon Goodwin can breathe a sigh of relief.
Steven May is back next week in the JLT series and Nathan Jones, Jake Melksham and Jack Viney are back in the VFL.
That trio might be underdone in Round 1 but the way the Demons took it up to Richmond with up to 10 players out was mighty impressive.
The fascinating element is where Nathan Jones plays given the midfield is so quick and dynamic, with Bailey Fritsch also pushing up onto a wing after playing multiple positions in his debut year. — Jon Ralph
INJURIES
Mitch Hannan (knee)
Nathan Jones (hamstring)
Kade Kolodjashnij (adductor)
Jake Lever (knee)
Steven May (hamstring)
Jake Melksham (hamstring)
Jeff Garlett (shoulder)
THIS WEEK: v Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields, Saturday, 4.10pm
NORTH MELBOURNE
North Melbourne must work swiftly on its new-look forward set-up and strategies in the rundown to its Round 1 clash with Fremantle on March 24, with spearhead Ben Brown working with “a different crew” in 2019.
In the wake of Jarrad Waite’s retirement, coach Brad Scott knows the Kangaroos have some work to do in attack, highlighting as much after the JLT loss to St Kilda.
Brown was well held by Nathan Brown, kicking one goal and taking only one mark, but the coach says the key forward will undoubtedly lift his rating when the season proper kicks in.
“Browny’s got his preseason mode almost down pat, no one gets himself to the line better than Browny,” Scott said.
“He’s working with a different crew down there as well.
“We’ve got seven new players who don’t understand our system perfectly yet, so we’re going to have to do a lot of work over the next three weeks on how we deliver the ball inside our forward 50.”
The Kangaroos need more goals out of Mason Wood, and hopefully he gets a clean run with his body, and Nick Larkey worked hard last weekend but was also used in defence.
There were some big positives, with Jared Polec in fine form, with Aaron Hall looking to dodge a bullet with his knee issue, and with youngsters Bailey Scott and Tarryn Thomas putting their hands up to take on the Dockers. — Glenn McFarlane
INJURIES
Robbie Tarrant (shoulder)
Majak Daw (fractured pelvis/hip)
Sam Durdin (finger)
Ben Jacobs (sinusitis)
Scott Thompson (suspension — Round 2)
Will Walker (knee)
THIS WEEK: v Port Adelaide at Alberton, Saturday, 1.10pm (local time)
PORT ADELAIDE
Ryder went down with just 1:30 remaining on Saturday when he rolled his ankle after stepping on teammate Sam Powell-Pepper’s foot. According to co-captain Tom Jonas on Sunday, Ryder was in good spirits and the medicos weren’t overly concerned thankfully for Power fans. They won’t risk him if he’s sore against North Melbourne on Saturday but the good news is it’s an ankle and not a recurrence of his achilles. Expect Hamish Hartlett to push for selection this week after recovering from a knee reconstruction and he could replace Riley Bonner, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Karl Amon or Jack Watts across halfback. — Reece Homfray
INJURIES
Paddy Ryder (ankle) test
Hamish Hartlett (knee) test
Ollie Wines (shoulder) indefinite
Charlie Dixon (leg) indefinite
Sam Hayes (knee) indefinite
THIS WEEK: v North Melbourne at Alberton, Saturday, 1.10pm (local time)
RICHMOND
Pencil in Tom Lynch for Round 1 given Damien Hardwick’s demeanour after the win over Melbourne on Sunday night.
He is already in full training, has over two weeks to build his tank and only has to walk into Dimma’s office and tell him he is right to go.
The interesting selection issue if he does play is how many talls the Tigers can play.
Noah Balta thrust his name forward with a sparkling display but the Tigers seem to want to play Ivan Soldo as a second ruck alongside Toby Nankervis.
The Tigers already have four tall defenders — Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes and Nathan Broad.
Asked if they could also fit Balta in, Hardwick was frank: “I don’t know,” he admitted. — Jon Ralph
INJURIES
Josh Caddy (ankle)
Jason Castagna (ankle)
Ryan Garthwaite (achilles)
Shaun Grigg (knee)
Tom Lynch (knee)
Jacob Townsend (thigh)
THIS WEEK: v Hawthorn in Launceston, Saturday, 7.10pm
ST KILDA
A one-time amateur Western Australian footballer could hold the key to St Kilda’s desire to get more midfield minutes into Jack Billings and Jade Gresham this year.
Coach Alan Richardson couldn’t have been happier with Matt Parker’s JLT Community Series performance against North Melbourne last Saturday for dual reasons.
Firstly, the 23-year-old from South Fremantle kicked two goals, provided plenty of spark in attack, and went a long way towards booking a debut for Round 1.
But his livewire efforts in the forward line allowed the Saints — and those of former Demon Dean Kent — allowed Billings and Gresham to run through the midfield on a more regular basis.
That will be a bonus given the new 6-6-6 rules will put even more of a premium on quality midfielders.
“I was really happy with the way Parker went, he looks like he had the potential to add to our team and to give us some flexibility,” Richardson said.
“If he can play forward, put pressure on, and be as creative as he was (against the Kangaroos), that allows a bit more of Gresham and Billings through the midfield.”
The Saints are also looking to potentially use emerging young forward Josh Battle in defence against the Suns in Round 1, given the absence of Jake Carlisle (back) and Nathan Brown (suspended).
Battle did a solid job at times on Jack Ziebell, in what was his first real hitout in defence against an AFL opposition team.
He will play a similar role in the Saints’ next JLT game. — Glenn McFarlane
INJURIES
Jake Carlisle (back)
Jack Steven (mental health)
Lewis Pierce (concussion)
Blake Acres (back tightness)
Daniel McKenzie (bruised heel)
Dan Hannebery (hamstring)
Billy Longer (hamstring)
Oscar Clavarino (ankle)
Jack Bytel (back)
Max King (knee)
THIS WEEK: v Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium, Sunday, 4.10pm
SYDNEY SWANS
There’s question marks on the Swans this year and while no-one will be ringing the alarm bells after the first-up loss to GWS, the gaping hole left by ‘Buddy’ was obvious. Finding more avenues to goal is paramount for John Longmire. Dan Menzel, as he was at the Cats, will be carefully managed but he and Franklin’s return can’t come quick enough for the Swans just a few weeks out from the season. Nick Blakey was OK without being spectacular in his first outing. Big things are expected of academy graduates Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills — both impressed against the Giants. The Swans didn’t get any extra injuries against the Giants.
INJURIES
Lance Franklin (groin)
Matthew Ling (toe)
Nick Smith (hamstring)
Daniel Menzel (groin)
Sam Naismith (knee)
Kieren Jack (knee)
Zak Jones (knee)
Durak Tucker (knee)
THIS WEEK: v Gold Coast in Lismore, Sunday, 1.10pm
WEST COAST
No signs of a premiership hangover from Adam Simpson’s men, with a number of youngsters set to keep the pressure on last year’s best team. While the likes of Luke Shuey and Dom Sheed did what they do, there were also shining lights with young tall Oscar Allen booting three and Jack Petruccelle catching the eye with his speed. Down back, Francis Watson used it nicely for the majority of his 17 touches and offers another kicking option coming out of defence to complement the likes of skipper Shannon Hurn. Jack Darling, the best forward in the AFL early last season, is looking ominous as he eyes a return to that form.
Josh Kennedy missed the clash and is working towards an early-season return, but running machine Andrew Gaff picked up where he left off in a reminder the Eagles might only get better in 2019. — Ben Broad
INJURIES
Brayden Ainsworth (finger)
Jamie Cripps (toe)
Andrew Gaff (suspension — Round 3)
Josh Kennedy (leg/shoulder)
Nic Naitanui (knee)
Daniel Venables (knee)
THIS WEEK: v Port Adelaide at Alberton, Saturday, 1.10pm (local time)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tom Liberatore made his return to the field in style, gathering 27 disposals and eight clearances in his first game in 12 months since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Round 1 last year. The Bulldogs expect Jason Johannisen and Lukas Webb to be available “in the early stages of the season”. The club is taking a cautious approach with Tom Boyd’s back injury but is hopeful he will ramp up his training in the next couple of months. Questions remain around Liam Picken, who revealed early last month he was still suffering headaches almost 12 months on from his last game due to concussion. — Chris Cavanagh
INJURIES
Bailey Dale (ankle)
Jason Johannisen (ankle)
Lukas Webb (neck)
Lin Jong (hamstring)
Baku Khamis (knee)
Tom Boyd (back)
Liam Picken (concussion)
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