AFL 2022: All the latest MRO news and injury updates
Zaine Cordy has been cleared for Western Bulldogs’ do-or-die clash with Hawthorn after arguing he had to block for a teammate or would be considered “selfish” in team reviews.
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Western Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy is free to play in Sunday’s must-win clash with Hawthorn after being cleared by the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night.
Cordy had been sent straight to the tribunal for last weekend’s off-the-ball bump on Tanner Bruhn, which left the young Giant concussed.
The AFL argued during the hearing Cordy’s conduct was ‘careless’, impact was ‘high’ and to the ‘body’.
Sam Norton, who was representing Cordy, argued his client would have been “reviewed by everything from On the Couch to YouTube to footy fan sites” had he chosen not to try and shepherd Bruhn.
He described Cordy’s action as a “classic bracing position block.”
It appeared the jury agreed, clearing Cordy of the rough conduct charge at the end of the 75-minute hearing.
In his summation, tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson said the jury found the “degree of force applied (by Cordy) was not excessive.”
Nick Pane QC, who was representing the AFL, said earlier during the hearing that Cordy’s actions were “unreasonable in the circumstances regardless of whether the bump was within five metres of the ball or whether it was a block.”
“(The) forceful bump to the upper body…could result in jolting of head and consequent injury,” he said.
When Pane asked Cordy if he agreed he had made a bumping action, the Bulldog said:
“No, it was a bracing.
“I’m suggesting it was a block.”
In explaining his actions, Cordy said his “intent was to block for my teammate Ed Richards.”
“We are expected to lay a block,” Cordy said.
“If we didn’t, it would come up in review and be an ‘RFI’ (room for improvement) and probably be classed as a bit selfish not trying to look after a teammate.
“I made sure I was planted…I was stationary when the hit occurred and braced for impact with my shoulder and elbow tucked in.”
When the AFL’s counsel put it to Cordy he could’ve shepherded with his arms out more like a corralling motion, the Bulldog said:
“I disagree with that statement considering how quickly he was running.
“If I stuck my arm out, I’m opening myself up to dislocating my shoulder with him at that speed.”
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RACE AGAINST TIME AS INJURY ROCKS CATTERY
Josh Barnes
Superstar forward Jeremy Cameron has begun a race against time to be fit for Geelong’s first final after scans confirmed a “low level” hamstring injury.
The goalkicking ace came to the bench late in Saturday’s comfortable win over Gold Coast complaining of soreness in his troublesome hamstrings and scans showed a strain.
Cameron was expected to embark on a final-round assault on the Coleman Medal given he sits three goals behind leader Charlie Curnow, but those plans have been squashed and he will now face a three-week campaign to be fit for a qualifying final.
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Geelong medical boss Harry Taylor said the Cats “expect” Cameron to overcome the setback and play in the first week of September.
Hamstring woes curtailed Cameron’s debut season with Geelong last year and he didn’t play until round 6.
The 2019 Coleman medallist was desperate to put his injury issues behind him and play every game in 2022, something he was on track to do until this week.
Further setbacks on the forward’s hamstring could be a brutal blow to Geelong’s premiership hopes, with the Cats raging favourites thanks in part to Cameron’s All-Australian-level season.
Taylor said the outlook for Cameron was good, despite the injury.
“Jeremy Cameron came to bench late in the final quarter of Saturday’s game against the Gold Coast after reporting some low-level hamstring symptoms, we chose to take a no risk policy and decided not to have him return to the field,” Taylor said.
“Jeremy has assessed well, and scans (on Monday) have confirmed low level fluid consistent with a minor strain. We will track his progress through the week and he will be managed according to benchmark measures. We expect Jeremy to be ready for our first final.”
Ruck Rhys Stanley will join Cameron in pushing for a return to the side for a qualifying final, after scans confirmed a “low-grade” adductor strain.
Stanley was subbed out of the Gold Coast victory and is set to miss round 23’s game against West Coast but Taylor said the big man was also expected to be available by finals.
Fellow tall Jonathon Ceglar is on track to replace Stanley in the ruck against the Eagles, having progressed through concussion protocols.
Luckless midfielders Sam Simpson and James Willis have both picked up quad strains and will miss at least two weeks, which is likely to end their seasons given the Geelong VFL side will miss finals.
Bright light on horizon for Demons
– Nick Smart
Melbourne forward Tom McDonald is on the track and a week away from full training as
he tries to push his claim for a finals return.
The premiership spearhead hasn’t played since round 10 with a foot injury, but he is ramping up his bid to be a part of Melbourne’s finals campaign.
He has been listed as two to weeks away.
Melbourne performance manager Selwyn Griffiths said McDonald was now back training and progressing well as he nears a return.
“Tom progressed into training last week with the group in terms of some kicking based drills and some aerial contest work,” he told the Demons website.
“He’ll continue to build that exposure this week with the group
“Unfortunately due to the six day turnaround, it is just how much he can integrate in just with the reduced training.
“But he’ll come to Brisbane with the team and he’ll train there and get some really good exposure and we’ll look to have him into full training next week.
“Then we’ll assess his readiness to play as he progresses through that.”
Standing in McDonald’s way could be the form of forward Jake Melksham, who kicked four goals last Saturday night in Melbourne’s pulsating win over Carlton.
Boundary line mayhem behind Roo concussion glitch
– Jon Ralph
The AFL has accepted North Melbourne’s explanation of boundary-line chaos for why it allowed Jed Anderson to return to the field despite a clear concussion.
North Melbourne’s club doctor spoke to AFL chief medical officer Michael Makdissi on Monday and explained the club’s handling of Anderson’s welfare.
Anderson was clearly concussed when he was accidentally kneed in the head, struggling to get to his feet and then stumbling as he walked off the field.
But the trainers attending to him unwittingly looked away as he stumbled so did not see the worrying action, with Roos doctors also attending to Jack Ziebell (shoulder) and Jaidyn Stephenson (back).
The AFL’s concussion spotter informed the Roos of the incident on the Hawkeye tablet that conveys warnings but given the mayhem on the boundary they did not see it for some minutes.
It means that Anderson returned to the field after three minutes and 50 seconds on the boundary and was only subbed off at three quarter time seven minutes later.
The AFL will not impose a sanction on the Roos given the circumstances despite a clearly unsafe situation for Anderson, who was at risk of further injury while on the field concussed.
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