Round 7 AFL: All the MRO and injury news

The MRO has made its call on Tom Green’s bump on Joel Freijah, while one of the Roos’ best players this season has been hit with a big ban. See the full MRO news.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 26: Josh Sinn of the Power is tackled by Paul Curtis of the Kangaroos during the 2025 AFL Round 07 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval on April 26, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

North Melbourne in-form goalkicker Paul Curtis has been handed a three-game ban for a driving tackle on Port Adelaide’s Josh Sinn.

Sinn was concussed in the second quarter incident, in which Curtis pinned his arms and drove him forward.

The tackle was deemed ‘in the back’ and a free paid to Sinn, who hit his head on the Adelaide Oval turf.

Match review officer Michael Christian deemed the tackle was careless, high contact and it was graded as severe impact given Sinn was concussed.

Josh Sinn is tackled by Paul Curtis. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Paul Curtis looks down at Josh Sinn. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Curtis, who has been dubbed by club great David King as North Melbourne’s best player this season, will miss Thursday’s winnable game against Essendon, as well as fixtures against Brisbane Lions and Richmond.

Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto said the tackle “wasn’t deliberate” and Sinn was forced forward due to the momentum of Curtis coming from behind.

Sinn was OK after the game, but had a sore face from the heavy tackle into the ground – while he was also winded from the contact.

Sinn missing at least the Power’s clash with the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat could open the door for Ryan Burton or Logan Evans to replace him in defence.

Ex-Adelaide and Gold Coast utility Rory Atkins was a late inclusion for the win over Sydney and can play at half-back but did not taste any action on the weekend after being held over from the SANFL game as an emergency.

GWS Giants star Tom Green was not cited for turning his body into Western Bulldog Joel Freijah and Green will be free to play in the Sydney Derby on Sunday.

Tom Green bump on Joel Freijah

Green had his fingers over the top of the ball and bent to pick it up when he turned and collected a sliding Freijah with his hip.

Freijah was unharmed by the contact.

Green could clearly be seen asking the umpire what action he should have taken when the free was paid and Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis told Fox Footy the Giant did “everything that you need to do”.

“I personally don’t think he should be (in suspension trouble),” Lewis said.

Nathan Buckley agreed with Lewis that Freijah’s “technique is really poor” but Green “might be in strife”.

Former Bulldog and Tiger Nathan Brown also backed Green.

“That is an awful way to approach the football … I feel like the problem started with Freijah,” he said on Channel 9.

CROWS LOSE PLAYMAKER FOR BLUES BLOCKBUSTER

— Matt Forrest

Reliable Crows defender Mitch Hinge will miss an important clash with Carlton after copping a one-match ban from the MRO.

Hinge was cited for striking Dockers star Andy Brayshaw during Friday night’s loss at Optus Stadium, with Michael Christian hitting him a suspension.

The strike was deemed intentional, low impact and high contact, earning the ban.

Hinge hit on Brayshaw

Hinge has been one of Adelaide’s most consistent performers this season, providing a good mix of lockdown, intercepting and rebounding capabilities.

The Crows remain inside the top eight despite the disappointing loss to the Dockers, and will face the Blues in round 8.

Carlton has won its past two games.

PIES BREATHE SIGH OF RELIEF AS SPEARHEAD AVOIDS ACL BLOW

Dan McStay has avoided a dreaded ACL injury but will still be sidelined for the next 6-8 weeks.

The Collingwood key forward had his knee buckle in the Anzac Day win over Essendon on Friday, with recent injury troubles in the back of the club’s mind as he came from the ground.

But coach Craig McRae eased concerns on ABC Radio, confirming McStay had suffered an MCL injury instead.

“Dan’s got a grade three medial strain,” he said.

“It’s about a six-to-eight week injury. No operation required, just some rehab and in a brace for a period of time.

“Around six-to-eight weeks, without being too precise.”

Daniel McStay flies for a mark against Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

McStay was subbed on Anzac Day with a knee concern.

It is a similar injury to the one that ruled him out of the 2023 grand final, but far less significant to the ACL injury that wiped out the majority of his 2024 campaign.

McRae said on Friday night of skipper Darcy Moore: “My last report is he’s improving, he’s still getting some vertigo signs and he’s on antibiotics.

“It’s a day-to-day at the moment but I think he’s improving, still not enough to train though, hopefully that improves over the next couple of days.”

Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe also went down with injury, suffering a compound fracture in his finger during Friday night’s loss to Fremantle.

He suffered the break in a marking contest and came from the ground in considerable pain, spending an extended period of time in the rooms getting attended to.

But he returned and kicked a goal in the late stages of the match.

Despite his return to the field, Thilthorpe will be sent for scans and meet with surgeons to determine the next steps for his recovery, with the Crows expected to know a clearer return-to-play timeline in the coming days.

Originally published as Round 7 AFL: All the MRO and injury news