Who’s hurt, who’s in the selection mix at your club for Round 3
Collingwood defender Tom Langdon has taken a major step in his bid to resume his AFL career, joining match simulation for the first time in more than a year. See where your club’s injury list sits at Round 3.
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Thirteen months to the day after his last AFL game, Collingwood defender Tom Langdon returned to match simulation for the first time in an “important step” forward in his recovery on Thursday.
Langdon, who turned 26 last week, admitted during pre-season that retirement was an “option” as he continued to battle a cartilage problem in his right knee which has sidelined him since Round 9 last year.
SCROLL DOWN FOR YOUR CLUB’S INJURY LIST AND SELECTION ANALYSIS
However, his recent progress and return to match simulation has fuelled hope an AFL return could be on the horizon in the not-too-distant future.
“Langers was out and about and his progress has been steady and significant,” Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.
“He’s still got a way to go but it was a really important step for him and I’m sure he enjoyed running around in match simulation.”
Midfielder Adam Treloar also took part in the Magpies’ match simulation and could return from a calf injury he suffered last month as early as next week.
Treloar also missed Round 1 with a hamstring injury, the Magpies keen to ensure the 27-year-old is match fit before considering him for AFL selection.
“He’s really only just put himself back into full match simulation,” Buckley said.
A long time coming. 🙌
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) June 18, 2020
Langers joining match simulation for the first time in 2020. pic.twitter.com/bbXDnV6e1O
“It’s been a long time since he played, missing Round 1 and obviously the time being away in isolation. So I think some match practice for him will be really important and whether that’s one or two or three weeks, we’ll make that determination as we progress.”
Meanwhile, Collingwood is set to recall forward Jaidyn Stephenson and hard-nosed midfielder Rupert Wills for Saturday’s clash against St Kilda.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley all but confirmed the pair would return after both trained strongly in match simulation on Thursday morning.
Both Stephenson and Wills were left out of the Magpies’ sides in Rounds 1 and 2 but featured in the club’s finals campaign last year.
“Jaiydn has done pretty well over the last couple of weeks, especially his hitout last Wednesday,” Buckley said.
“He’s definitely in our best mix when he’s up and about, you should expect to see him running around on Saturday. He’s earned his opportunity.
“Rupe’s done extremely well. His last month’s been really strong. He was probably a little bit stiff to miss Round 1 and was one of the players that came back in really good order off the isolation period. He’s been in the squad the last couple of times we’ve picked teams and he’s likely to get his chance as well.”
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Asked if the Magpies missed Stephenson in the forward line last week as they kicked only five goals against Richmond, Buckley said the issue was more around how Collingwood set up than the personnel in attack.
“We didn’t get the ball forward enough,” Buckley said.
“Whenever we did, our forwards didn’t have any trouble hitting the scoreboard. Our biggest issue wasn’t in our front six or our forwards, it was largely how we set up the field and how we were defending the field which, ultimately on a scores against perspective, looked fantastic. But it doesn’t help scoring and it doesn’t help field position.
“I think Jaidyn would have been another frustrated forward in the second half of last week’s game but, having said that, he’s earned his opportunity and he’ll be right to go.”
Key forward Brody Mihocek trained fully this morning and will also play after suffering some bone bruising to his knee in last week’s draw with Richmond.
BOMBERS SET TO WELCOME KEY DUO
The good news keeps coming for unbeaten Essendon with key duo Orazio Fantasia and Conor McKenna on track to play against Melbourne.
The high-flying Bombers are third on the ladder and can improve to a 3-0 record for the first time since 2013 with a win against the Demons at the MCG on Sunday.
John Worsfold’s side could be boosted by the returns of Fantasia (quad) and McKenna, who wasn’t considered last week because his preparation was hampered by a two-week hotel quarantine on his return from Ireland.
“He is going to be very close,” Worsfold said of Fantasia on Wednesday.
“Friday is our main training and that’s where he’s going to have to get through and prove to us that he’s available for selection.”
A homesick McKenna returned to Ireland in February and didn’t play in Essendon’s season-opening win over Fremantle despite rejoining his teammates in early March.
The versatile speedster went back to Ireland to wait out the coronavirus- enforced AFL season shutdown, but the timing of his return to Essendon hurt his selection chances.
“He felt like he was ready to play, and he looks ready to play, but taking (his quarantine) into account, putting him into an AFL game would’ve been pretty high risk,” Worsfold said.
“He’d only been out of quarantine and in training for two weeks and we needed every minute of the four weeks training together once we were back to get the squad prepared to play.
“The extra week we’ve used to get a good hit-ut into him and we feel like he’s a lot better prepared now.”
NO NAISMITH FOR SWANS
Hamstrung Swans ruckman Sam Naismith will spend at least another week on the sidelines, leaving Callum Sinclair with a major challenge against in-form North Melbourne veteran Todd Goldstein.
Goldstein was arguably best on ground against the Giants, helping himself to 51 hit-outs, nine clearances and a key goal.
“He’s an elite ruckman … and looks like he’s getting better as he gets older,” Swans coach John Longmire said on Thursday.
The Swans will share a plane with GWS on Friday, an arrangement that Longmire was happy to joke about rather than complain.
“He (GWS coach Leon Cameron) tends to get up the front a lot more than I do. I’ll have to send him a text from row 48,” Longmire said.
MORE BAD NEWS FOR DOGS
The Western Bulldogs’ start to the AFL season is becoming a nightmare with key defender Easton Wood to miss a month due to a quad injury.
After a horror defeat to Collingwood and St Kilda to open their 2020 account, losing their premiership captain for four weeks is the last thing the Dogs need. Wood was a late withdrawal from the team that went down to St Kilda by 39 points on Sunday night.
“Easton and (fellow defender) Taylor Duryea have minor strains to a muscle in their quad that is responsible for accelerations and kicking,” club medical manager Chris Bell said.
“Both players are on track to return to playing in the next three-to-four weeks.”
Small forward Ben Cavarra could also miss up to three weeks after having his hand stood on at training last Saturday.
Premiership pair Tom Liberatore and Toby McLean are in the frame to face GWS.
After being thumped by Collingwood in Round 1, the Bulldogs remain winless at the bottom of the AFL ladder following last week’s 39-point loss to St Kilda.
But coach Luke Beveridge is refusing to panic, declaring the Bulldogs “have been in this position” before and there were some “blatant” areas identified that could be solved to find a quick fix to the team’s form woes.
“ (Liberatore) is just a week or two behind everyone,” Beveridge said.
“He hasn’t played for a long time. He had a really good session on Saturday and he has come through that with flying colours and that was probably the last one that he needed to tick off.
“So we will definitely consider him for Friday night.
“Toby will be considered and he’s a chance to come in.”
— AAP and Rebecca Williams
HOGAN BACK ‘IN BEAST MODE’
Fremantle forward Jesse Hogan is back in “beast mode” on the training track, and that could spell bad news for Port Adelaide on Sunday night.
Hogan looms as a likely inclusion for the clash at Metricon Stadium after putting in a solid display in last Saturday’s practice match. The former Demon hasn’t played an AFL fixture since he fractured the navicular bone in his right foot in Round 14 last year. Hogan’s future was placed in further doubt when he took a lengthy mental health break earlier this year.
But the 25-year-old has looked a refreshed figure since returning to training last month, and he appears almost certain to replace Sean Darcy (knee) in the side against Port Adelaide.
Teammate David Mundy has been impressed by what he’s seen from Hogan.
“Jesse over the last few weeks has reintegrated back into our group really well,” Mundy said.
“I know his training – he’s an absolute beast on the track, and he’s giving it all he’s got. He went out on the weekend and performed really well.
“When he comes in, I know he’ll be ready and we’ll have him for a long time.”
SAINTS SKIPPER TO MISS CRUNCH PIES CLASH
St Kilda skipper Jarryn Geary will miss this week’s clash against Collingwood with a minor hamstring injury.
The midfielder picked up the injury during the opening term of the Saints’ impressive Round 2 smashing of the Western Bulldogs.
Despite playing out the remaining three quarters, St Kilda now expects Geary to miss either one or two weeks.
St Kilda’s head of football David Rath was full of praise for Geary’s willingness to play out the game even with the injury hampering his performance.
“Jarryn was playing a role on one of their key playmakers, so for him to stay out there was really important for the team,” he said.
“Unfortunately, he will miss Saturday’s clash with the Magpies but the injury is very minor and we expect him to be running by the end of the week.”
NEWMAN RULED OUT FOR REST OF 2020
Carlton has been dealt an early injury blow in the rebooted AFL season with defender Nic Newman to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Newman hurt his knee in the opening quarter of Saturday’s one-point loss to Melbourne at Marvel Stadium with scans on Sunday confirming a ruptured patella tendon.
The former Swan will need season-ending surgery to repair the tendon in his right knee.
Carlton’s head of football Brad Lloyd said it was an unlucky blow for Newman.
“We’re really disappointed for ‘Newy,’ especially after he worked so hard to get back from elbow surgery after Round 1,” Lloyd said.
“His work rate and professionalism is second-to-none.
“While this is a significant injury, we have full confidence that Newy’s approach to his rehab will be first class and we look forward to seeing him back to his best in 2021.”
Newman suffered a dislocated elbow in the season-opening match against Richmond before the AFL shutdown.
He played 20 games in his first season with the Blues last year after being traded from the Swans.
AFL INJURY LIST
ADELAIDE
Fresh from a Showdown smashing, things could be about to get even worse for the Crows. Skipper Rory Sloane is in danger of missing this week’s must-win clash with the Gold Coast after suffering a high grade contusion to his right thigh. He attempted to return to action on Saturday night before being pulled from the game. Jake Kelly faces a race against time to be right after copping a concussion against the Power. Meanwhile, Patrick Wilson is set for a stint on the sidelines after dislocating his right shoulder.
INJURY LIST
R.Sloane (corked thigh) test
J.Kelly (concussion) test
P.Wilson (shoulder) TBC
BRISBANE
Daniel McStay suffered an ankle injury on Saturday but it is unlikely to keep him out of action. However, Brisbane’s biggest selection win might not even come from its side of the fence. The Lions will get a crack at premiership contenders West Coast without superstar fullback Jeremey McGovern, who has been suspended for one week.
INJURY LIST
J.Madden (quarantine) 1-2
M.Adams (foot) 2-3
CARLTON
In what was a horror blow to kick off the resumption of the season, Nic Newman will miss the rest of 2020 after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee. While he was the only injury from Saturday’s loss to the Demons, how many changes will David Teague make after yet another horror start? After just four disposals, Darcy Lang will be on thin ice to keep his spot while Jack Newnes also had little impact. Jack Silvagni should be straight back in after gastro kept him out of Round 2. Knee soreness will keep Paddy Dow out another week. Does that open the door for Liam Stocker?
INJURY LIST
N.Newman (knee) season
Z.Fisher (ankle) 1
T.De Koning (ankle) available
C.Marchbank (knee) indefinite
M.Kreuzer (foot) indefinite
B.Kemp (ACL) indefinite
C.Curnow (knee) season
COLLINGWOOD
Brodie Grundy copped a knee to the back that required treatment during the draw with Richmond on Thursday night but will have plenty of time to recover before facing St Kilda on Saturday. Adam Treloar is likely to be at least another week away with a calf injury. Mason Cox played in the scratch match against the Tigers after battling a knee injury but after a promising club debut from Darcy Cameron, is Cox an automatic inclusion? Coach Nathan Buckley faces some tough decisions at selection this week with Jaidyn Stephenson also in the mix after being left out again. The Magpies lacked some spark up forward with Jamie Elliott and Josh Thomas kept quiet.
INJURY LIST
M.Cox (knee) available
A.Treloar (calf) test
L.Greenwood (calf) 2-3
B.Reid (calf) 2-4
T.Langdon (knee) indefinite
D.Beams (mental health) indefinite
ESSENDON
The unbeaten Bombers are likely to receive more good news with Orazio Fantasia and Connor McKenna on track to play against Melbourne. Essendon got through the thrilling win over Sydney — and the 5am start — with a clean bill of health. Patrick Ambrose will come into consideration after being left out, as will fellow defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher who has served his one-match ban for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
INJURY LIST
O.Fantasia (quad) test
N.Gown (foot) 3-4
K.Mutch (wrist) 4
L.Johnson (knee) indefinite
J.Daniher (groin) indefinite
H.Jones (foot) indefinite
T.Hird (foot) indefinite
FREMANTLE
Fremantle are breathing a huge sigh of relief after ruckman Sean Darcy was cleared of a serious knee injury. Fears were high that Darcy may have suffered another posterior crucial ligament injury after seeming to hyper-extend his left knee in Saturday’s 12-point loss to Brisbane. But subsequent scans have cleared Darcy of any damage to his PCL or anterior cruciate ligament. Look for Jesse Hogan to make his return after a year since his last AFL match. Nathan Wilson should be close to pulling on the boots for his first game of the year, Round 1 rising star nominee Sam Sturt will be in the mix and watch this space on last year’s pick 8 Caleb Serong.
INJURY LIST
N.Wilson (back) test
B.Acres (calf) 1
S.Giro (knee) 1
L.Henry (knee) 3
S.Darcy (knee) TBA
A.Pearce (ankle) TBA
J.Hamling (ankle) TBA
S.Switkowski (back) TBA
GEELONG
Will this be the week prized recruit Jack Steven makes his long-awaited Geelong debut? He was close to playing against the Hawks but the Cats were cautious with the midfielder after he suffered a stab wound. Coach Chris Scott said there’s no doubt Steven is in the Cats’ best 22, but he’s more likely to line up in a scratch match this weekend. Jake Kolodjashnij (hip) and Nakia Cockatoo will also front up against Carlton players who don’t earn senior selection. Josh Jenkins (back) is likely to miss another week.
INJURY LIST
J.Jenkins (back) 1-2
N.Cockatoo (hamstring) test
L.Fogarty (knee) TBC
S.Okunbor (achilles) season
GOLD COAST
The Suns are on a high after knocking off West Coast and will fancy their chances against Adelaide in the Crows’ first game in the Metricon Stadium hub. Hard to see many changes to a winning line-up – Stuart Dew said boom youngster Izak Rankine could still be a few weeks away. The Suns were in the unusual position of loaning players to the Eagles to make up the numbers for a scratch match on Saturday. “I touched base with Simmo (Adam Simpson) and he said they had roughly 13 and we had 19 and look, we could have had 13 v 13 or make it 15 or 16 and make it a little bit more realistic,” Dew said. “We spoke to our players and said, ‘Look we are going to play three quarters so let’s do a bit of a roster system’.
INJURY LIST
S.Day (back) available
B.Ellis (calf) test
G.Horlin-Smith (foot) TBC
A.Miles (hamstring) 2-3
I.Rankine (hamstring) test
M.Riordan (ACL) season
GWS GIANTS
Adam Kennedy missed the loss to North Melbourne with a hamstring injury and will be monitored at training this week. Daniel Lloyd hurt his knee during the game but after receiving some treatment returned to the field, although he managed just five disposals and would be nervous ahead of selection. The Giants could make a number of changes given the disappointing performance, with youngster Tom Green and Zac Langdon in the mix after being dropped. Tim Taranto is still up to five weeks away from a return following a shoulder reconstruction.
INJURY LIST
M.Flynn (knee) 3-4
T.Hutchesson (hamstring) test
A.Kennedy (hamstring) test
T.Taranto (shoulder) 4
HAWTHORN
All eyes will be on Jaeger O’Meara as the Hawks look to respond from their horror showing against Geelong. The star midfielder was close to selection in Round 2 having done the majority of sessions in the lead up to the resumption of the season however, the knock to his face limited his contact work. Will coach Alastair Clarkson make a statement at selection? Paul Puopolo, Harry Morrison and Tim O’Brien face a nervous wait with Mitchell Lewis and Jack Scrimshaw among those in the mix.
INJURY LIST
J.O’Meara (facial fracture) test
C.Jiath (hamstring) 1
J.Impey (ACL) 3-5
D.Howe (plantar fascia) indefinite
W.Golds (ACL)
MELBOURNE
Kysaiah Pickett is set to return straight away from his one-match COVID-19 ban for Sunday’s clash against an unbeaten Essendon – two teams that suffered second-half fade-outs at the weekend. Pickett impressed in a scratch match against Carlton on Saturday along with Mitch Hannan and Aaron vandernBerg, while Sam Weideman kicked five goals. Harley Bennell will only get better after playing just 50 per cent game time in his AFL comeback.
INJURY LIST
B.Preuss (achilles) 3-4
M.Hore (toe) 5-7
H.Petty (groin) indefinite
K.Kolodjashnij (head) indefinite
A.Nietschke (knee) season
NORTH MELBOURNE
Hard to see the Kangaroos making any changes after a stunning team performance to defeat the Giants but if Nick Larkey (foot) is fit he likely comes straight back in to provide another tall marking target to take the pressure off Ben Brown. Marley Williams will be available after serving a two-match suspension for his crude bump on Ed Richards during a Marsh Series game. Selection headaches loom for Rhyce Shaw at Arden St this week. Majak Daw is still 3-4 weeks away from return from a torn pectoral muscle.
INJURY LIST
L.Davies-Uniacke (groin) TBC
M.Daw (pectoral) 2-3
T.Garner (hamstring) 4-5
B.Jacobs (concussion) indefinite
N.Larkey (foot) test
F.Perez (knee) TBC
K.Turner (foot) 2-3
D.Tyson (calf) TBC
E.Vickers-Willis (turf toe) 2-3
C.Comben (back/knee) TBC
PORT ADELAIDE
When you’re on top of the ladder and have just won a Showdown by 75 points, it is hard to make a case for any changes. That means all eyes should be on Ollie Wines this week. He missed the game after breaching the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols. Does he come straight back in? Meanwhile, Jack Watts and young gun Mitch Georgiades are also knocking on the door. It is a good problem to have for Ken Hinkley, as the Power look to go 3-0 with a win over the Dockers.
INJURY LIST
R.Burton (knee) TBA
M.Georgiades (calf) test
T.Burgoyne (lower leg) TBA
T.Cox (quad) 1-2
W.Drew (foot) 6-7
RICHMOND
The draw against Collingwood went some way to solving the Tigers’ ruck dilemma, with Ivan Soldo impressing against Brodie Grundy with some help from Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt. Will Damien Hardwick use the same formula against Jon Ceglar on Thursday night? Toby Nankervis performed strongly in a scratch match against the Pies, while Josh Caddy will be pressing to return from a minor calf injury. Sydney Stack (four disposals) might be nervous. Tom Lynch says scans on a foot were just a precaution but Liam Baker has flown home to WA because of a family issue. With Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Ross waiting in the wings, midfield depth is not an issue at Punt Rd.
INJURY LIST
J.Caddy (calf) test
W.Martyn (foot) indefinite
B.Nyuon (shoulder) indefinite
N.Cumberland (knee) season
ST KILDA
The Saints have their own ruck dilemma – neither Rowan Marshall or Paddy Ryder had a big impact against the Bulldogs, but Brett Ratten might stick with the one-two punch against the Pies. It was about the only thing that didn’t come off for the Saints on Sunday night – they even kicked straight. Dylan Roberton is a chance to replace injured skipper Jarryn Geary, but coach Brett Ratten indicated his return was further away. “He probably just had some signs where he was just not quite to the level that he’d like to be and we’d like him to be, so he’s gone away to work on a few things.” he said of the defender who made a remarkable return from a heart issue in Round 1 but was dropped for Round 2. “He’s been out of the game for a long time and he’s got a little bit of a challenge at the moment, but I know that he’ll be working really hard and we’ll work with him.”
INJURY LIST
J.Geary (hamstring) 1-2
SYDNEY SWANS
Sam Naismith will push to return from a hamstring injury against North Melbourne on Saturday after missing the loss to Essendon. Ben Ronke (knee) played in match simulation last Friday and could into the selection mix after being left out against the Bombers. Second gamer Justin McInerney was quiet but it’d be a tough call to drop him after he was impressive on debut in Round 1 and recruit Sam Gray managed only seven disposals. Lance Franklin remains a long way away from a return from his latest hamstring injury but began some strength and off-legs training late last week.
INJURY LIST
B.Ronke (knee) 1-2
L.Franklin (hamstring) 7-8
S.Reid (calf) TBC
J.Thurlow (calf) TBC
WEST COAST
Jeremy McGovern will miss the clash against Brisbane on Saturday after failing to beat a striking charge at the tribunal. At least there were no injuries from Saturday night’s horror show against Gold Coast as the Eagles settle in for a few more weeks in their Queensland hub. Monday’s training session was at Gold Coast’s council soccer fields for a light skills session (in groups of eight) before returning to Royal Pines Resort to dissect the Suns defeat, which won’t be pretty viewing for most of the team, but especially Brendon Ah Chee (three disposals), Jackson Nelson and Josh Kennedy (five each). The emergencies for Round 2 were Jake Waterman, Tom Cole, Will Schofield and Bailey Williams.
INJURY LIST
J.Cameron (groin) 1-2
N.Reid (hamstring) 1-2
M.Hutchings (knee) 1-2
C.Jamieson (shoulder) 2-3
B.Johnson (knee) 2-3
M.O’Neill (back) TBA
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WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Dogs were reportedly not happy that St Kilda couldn’t arrange a practice match last week but they should have a good look at their full list in a hitout against North Melbourne as a curtain-raiser to Friday night’s clash against GWS. They will need it after injuries ruled out Easton Wood and Taylor Duryea. Tom Liberatore is closing on a return and could add some grunt to the engine room which was beaten again against St Kilda. We don’t need to emphasise how big this game is for a team on the bottom of the ladder with a percentage of 47.7 with just 15 home-and-away rounds remaining.
INJURY LIST
R.Smith (soreness) test
B.Cavarra (hand) 2-3
E.Wood (quad) 3-4
T.Duryea (quad) 3-4
R.Garcia (knee) indefinite