AFL 2021 injury news: Who’s hurt, who’s in doubt counting down to Round 1
Ben Cunnington has served the minimum 12-day break after he was concussed but hasn’t met all the conditions to be considered for a return. INJURY NEWS
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Tough North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington will miss the Roos’ AAMI Community Series clash with Hawthorn on Saturday as they tread carefully with their dual club champion.
Cunnington had put together a strong summer before being concussed from an accidental elbow to the head in an intraclub match three Fridays ago, on February 12.
The 29-year-old was subsequently the first player to go through the AFL’s new 12-day return-to-play concussion protocol, which is double the previous requirement.
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North’s practice match against St Kilda last Wednesday was outside that window, but Cunnington hadn’t adequately recovered to face the Saints.
Coach David Noble said at the time his star onballer was on track to return for the Hawks game.
However, the Herald Sun understands Cunnington is yet to rejoin the main group, ruling him out of contention again.
Footballers must complete three training runs with the main group, including one contact session, before playing post-concussion.
An AFL spokesperson confirmed this graduated loading program would typically be completed within the 12-day period if the player was able to.
That means players in Cunnington’s scenario face missing at least two matches this season.
Another possible factor in North Melbourne holding off Cunnington is his troublesome back injury from last year, which led to related hip and quadriceps issues and kept him to only three games.
After his lack of running in recent weeks, the associated risk of a potential aggravation was likely too high on season eve.
It’s believed Cunnington remains on track to play in Round 1.
Luke Davies-Uniacke and Todd Goldstein (both soreness) are certain to be back against Hawthorn, and Jared Polec (hamstring) could join them if he progresses well throughout the week.
Shattered Dee facing third knee reconstruction
Luckless Melbourne youngster Aaron Nietschke has ruptured his ACL for the third time.
The South Australian went down in the Demons’ VFL practice match with Richmond on Friday in an innocuous contest and scans have revealed the devastating news for the 20-year-old.
“Scans have unfortunately confirmed that Aaron has ruptured his ACL and will again miss a large portion of the year,” Demons football manager Alan Richardson told the club website.
“This is absolutely devastating news for Aaron and the club, as he was preparing for the season ahead.”
Nietschke was placed on the rookie list by the Demons for 2021 and after the latest ACL injury Melbourne can place him on the inactive list and have an extra list spot available.
Richardson said Nietschke had the support of everyone at Melbourne.
“This is really unfortunate for Aaron who was in great shape since returning from his previous knee injury,” he said.
“We will work with Aaron and ensure all options are assessed before deciding the most appropriate treatment required to reconstruct the ACL.”
Dees duo taking big strides towards crucial return
Melbourne wants to unleash a full strength midfield in its season-opener against Fremantle as tough nuts Jack Viney and Angus Brayshaw progress in their recoveries from foot problems.
The pair missed the practice match clash against Richmond on Friday but instead had big individual training sessions, months after undergoing foot surgery.
If they pull up well in the next few days, it is expected Brayshaw will take on Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium next Monday, March 8 in the AAMI Community Series, while Viney may have to wait until the VFL game the week after for his first hitout.
The Bulldogs went down to Hawthorn in their scratch match on Wednesday but could be bolstered by the return of spearhead Aaron Naughton (corked leg) and Jack Macrae (personal) for the clash against the Demons.
Former Collingwood midfielder Adam Treloar will be assessed this week in his bid to overcome a calf niggle before the Round 1 grudge match against the Magpies.
Brayshaw could also play in the VFL game on the weekend of March 13-14, giving the hard-nut ballwinner two outings to help tune-up for the season-opener against the Dockers.
Brayshaw suffered a significant ligament issue which ended his season early last year, but has returned to full training in recent weeks and is slightly ahead of vice-captain Viney.
Viney went under the knife in late January to help fix some soreness in his left plantar fascia, continuing his history of foot dramas.
Brayshaw and Viney’s ballwinning through the middle are crucial cogs in Simon Goodwin’s battle plan, with the Dees dispelling any doubts over the pair’s ability to play in the same engine room last year.
They’ll help ace onball pair Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver who made excellent starts to their pre-season with prominent performances against the Tigers.
Melbourne is under pressure to make a fast start this season and will look to superstar ruckman Max Gawn and mobile swingman Tom McDonald to inject some firepower forward in the absence of injured talls Sam Weideman (leg stress fracture) and Ben Brown (knee).
But Melbourne’s midfield power remains its greatest strength in 2021 and the club has spent the summer trying to sharpen its delivery, system and conversion in attack to help make the most of its supply forward.
Importantly, the Dees want to hit the ground running over the first few rounds against Fremantle (MCG), St Kilda (Marvel Stadium) and GWS Giants (Manuka Oval) before tougher clashes against grand finalists Geelong (Round 4) and Richmond (Round 6).
It is hoped Brown will be available for selection around Round 6 after recent surgery to fix a fresh knee problem.
Melbourne fitness chief Darren Burgess said Brown and Weideman were expected to resume running in about a fortnight in a tricky start to Brown’s new life as a Demon.
“They are both on a long road to recovery,” Burgess said.
“They are both doing everything they have to do and will start integrating into running over the next probably two weeks and from there we will see how long it takes.
“It is unfortunate that both of them had some really bizarre injuries, we can’t help that. All we can do is just help them get back on the park as quick as we can.”
Goal kicker Jake Melksham is also under an injury cloud as he deals with a minor hamstring strain.
Livewire forward Kysaiah Pickett is also expected to return to Melbourne after flying back to Western Australia following the passing of his mother last month.
Pickett had to quarantine for 14 days in WA upon his arrival in the west.
Star Roos on brink of return
North Melbourne is hopeful Ben Cunnington and Jared Polec will be available to give its midfield a huge boost for its clash against Hawthorn on Saturday.
And star veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein is on track to return for the AAMI Community Series clash after sitting out of the heavy scratch match loss to St Kilda on Thursday.
Cunnington will be assessed for any lingering concussion symptoms at training this week after copping a knock to the head in an intra-club on February 12.
He was one of the first players to serve a compulsory 12-day break, which expired last week, as part of the AFL’s bolstered concussion protocols.
The Roos are keen to unleash their star hard ball winner after an injury-ravaged 2020, but only if he is passed fit to play against the Hawks at Arden St.
Cunnington, 29, is considered one of the best clearance winners in the competition after an outstanding 2019 season, but the former Geelong Falcon managed only three games amid a debilitating back problem last year.
Polec, 28, is on the comeback from a hamstring problem and is keen to recapture his best form this season after a difficult year being dropped from the senior side.
New coach David Noble has made clear he wants to maximise Polec’s weapons as a hard-running wingman while continuing to nurture and develop the Roos’ crop of emerging playmakers such as Luke Davies-Uniacke, Bailey Scott and superstar-in-the-making Jy Simpkin.
The return of Goldstein, Cunnington and potentially Polec as well will be a significant injection of class for the rebuilding Roos.
The Kangas also have No. 3 draft pick and hard nut clearance winner Will Phillips who missed out on a berth for North’s practice match in favour of fellow youngsters Tom Powell and Charlie Lazarro and mature-age recruits Connor Menadue, from Richmond, and ex-Bulldog Lachie Young.
Tough nut Jed Anderson is in a race against time to be fit for the Kangas’ season-opener as he tries to overcome a calf complaint.
Anderson is unlikely to play against the Hawks this week and has instead set himself to take on premiership fancy Port Adelaide in Round 1 at Marvel Stadium.
Anderson is a key plank in Noble’s first choice midfield unit after a breakthrough year finishing third in the club’s best-and-fairest.
Hawthorn Brownlow Medalist Tom Mitchell remains under a cloud as he returns to full contact training after shoulder surgery.
But there were some encouraging signs in attack from Hawthorn’s tall forwards Mitch Lewis and Tim O’Brien in their scratch match win over Western Bulldogs on Wednesday.
The duo combined for five goals in the comeback victory while versatile big man Jacob Koschitzke is also in the mix for a Round 1 guernsey as a third marking target.
It is unclear when Hawks’ spearhead Jon Patton will be available after seeking treatment for a personal issue.
First-year wingman Connor Downie also impressed in his first hitout and is in-line to step straight into an outside midfield role vacated by departed premiership hero Isaac Smith and retired running machine Tom Scully.
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