AAMI Community Series 2021: Steven May in doubt for season opener after head knock

The AFL’s crackdown on concussion will face its first real test with Melbourne defender Steven May hoping to be passed fit for Round 1.

Aaron Naughton. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty

Melbourne defender Steven May will provide a test case of the AFL’s new concussion protocols after it was confirmed he sustained a “mild concussion” in Monday’s clash against the Western Bulldogs.

Under the league’s new protocols, the earliest a player can return to play after experiencing a concussion is on the 12th day, following the day on which the concussion was sustained.

The Demons can name May provided his recovery allowed when the team was selected, but he must be cleared to play by the club’s doctors on game day if he’s to face the Dockers.

In the 12 days following the concussion, the player will initially rest before making an individual graduated return to training under the new guidelines.

The player would finally make a graduated return to team training – with periods of rest in between sessions – before they can be cleared to return.

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Steven May is helped to his feet by trainers after a heavy hit against the Bulldogs.

He managed to leave the field without any further assistance.

Melbourne opens its season against Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday, March 20, which would be the 12th day for May under the new guidelines.

The AFL confirmed the Demons could pick May to face the Dockers if he had recovered well, but he would have to receive final medical clearance by the club’s doctors on the 12th day to play.

If there was any risk on the 12th day, he would not be allowed to take the field.

Given the tight time frame, the Demons said any minor setback during the recovery period would rule May out of the opening match.

The Demons said May had presented without symptoms on Tuesday morning, but his return-to-play date would be determined by his recovery following a graduated return to training.

“Steven was removed from play on Monday night and found to have mild concussion symptoms,” Melbourne’s general manager of AFL performance Alan Richardson said.

“Pleasingly though, on Tuesday morning Steven presented symptom-free and our medical team will continue to assess Steven each day in the lead up to our Round 1 match.

“We will ensure that every precaution is taken with Steven and a decision on his return to play date will be determined by his recovery.

“In line with the new concussion guidelines, Steven will undertake a graded return to training.”

The backman suffered a heavy knock in a marking contest during the final quarter against the Bulldogs and did not return to the field after he was immediately taken out of the game for assessment by the club’s medical team.

The AFL’s new minimum 12-day return-to-play protocol is a significant increase on the previous six days which were required under the 2020 guidelines.

During the regular season, all players suffering a concussion will miss at least one match – assuming standard fixturing – and could miss more depending on clinical symptoms.

TRELOAR DOMINATES IN DOGS AUDITION

– Chris Cavanagh

Western Bulldogs recruit Adam Treloar is firming to feature in a Round 1 showdown against his former side Collingwood after shining in a VFL practice match on Monday.

Treloar played about two-and-a-half quarters of a scratch match against Casey at Whitten Oval, with track watchers counting 19 disposals and six clearances for the former Magpies midfielder.

It was Treloar’s first proper hitout of the pre-season after recent calf tightness which has limited his preparation and saw him miss last month’s practice match against Hawthorn.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said while Treloar was not a Round 1 lock just yet, he was likely to be available for selection.

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Adam Treloar in full flight during a training session at Whitten Oval. Picture: Getty Images

“Health-wise, based on today, he probably will be right,” Beveridge said.

“Then we’ve just got to make the call on whether we pick him on a limited game time.

“He’s done a lot of cross-training and he’s very fit. It’s case-by-case. Because of his experience and his history, he’ll definitely be a consideration if we can get him through training and he’s feeling strong.”

Dashing defender Jason Johannisen, who also featured in the VFL practice match, has been given no guarantees of lining up against Collingwood after finding himself overlooked for the AAMI Community Series clash against Melbourne.

The 2016 premiership player has not missed an AFL game other than through injury since 2014, but has been warned he has work to do if he wants to return to the senior side.

“He’s got some great strengths, Jase, and when he doesn’t play so well we really hone in on what he can contribute because of his speed and his skills,” Beveridge said.

“We need to go to the next level and we need a couple of things in his game to come to the fore and he’ll earn his spot back at some point. But there’s some pressure on for some spots.”

The Bulldogs are sweating on scans for defender Hayden Crozier, who injured his left shoulder against Melbourne in what Beveridge said appeared to be “quite a significant AC joint injury”.

However, X-rays on Monday night cleared key forward Aaron Naughton of any major damage after he hurt his right forearm in a marking contest and sat out the second half during their 15.16 (106) to 10.7 (67) win.

“He’s already had an X-ray and it’s all clear so he should be fine,” Beveridge said.

“We didn’t want to take any risk with him and took him out of the game. He was in a fair bit of pain but he should be OK.”

Just 11 days out from the Bulldogs’ Round 1 clash with Collingwood, Naughton pulled up sore during a second quarter marking collision in the AAMI Community Series match at Marvel Stadium.

He played on for some time before being ruled out at halftime, his arm being put in a sling by Bulldogs medical staff.

Naughton had been scoreless from five disposals before being ruled out of the game.

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Scans have cleared Aaron Naughton of a serious injury to his forearm. Picture: Getty Images

Naughton, who kicked 15 goals from 12 games last season, had missed an earlier practice match against Hawthorn with a cork.

Latham Vandermeer was also ruled out of the match by halftime for the Bulldogs after suffering a hip injury in a first-quarter collision with Melbourne defender Neville Jetta.

LOCKHART SIDELINED BY NASTY INJURY

Defender Jay Lockhart will miss the season-opener after being taken to hospital during the second quarter with a “pretty serious” testicular injury requiring surgery, the injuries capping what Goodwin described as a “disappointing” performance for the Demons.

Melbourne vice-captain Jack Viney has also been ruled out of Round 1, but the Demons expect to have Angus Brayshaw (foot), Clayton Oliver (general soreness), Christian Salem (hamstring) and Kosi Pickett (personal) available for selection.

Pickett played in a VFL practice match on Monday, having returned from Perth after his mother’s funeral.

Jay Lockhart will be missing from Round 1. Picture: AAP Image/Hamish Blair

The Demons will announce on Tuesday if they will fill their final two list spots before the closure of the AFL’s supplemental selection period (SSP).

Former North Melbourne utility Majak Daw played a half in the forward line in the reserves match at Whitten Oval to again push his case for a list spot.

“He did a bit forward and went in the ruck and looked in reasonable touch,” Goodwin said.

“We’re going to be really slow with Maj. We need to make a decision as list management tonight on what his decision on the list looks like and then we can go from there. But if he stays on the list, we’re going to go really slowly with Maj and build him up. He hasn’t done a lot of pre-season so he’s got a lot of work ahead of him.”

SCOREBOARD

WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.6 5.8 11.11 15.16 (106)

MELBOURNE 2.2 5.5 6.6 10.7 (67)

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Lipinski 3, Bruce 2, Dale 2, Scott 2, English, Smith, McNeil

Melbourne: Fritsch 3, Neal-Bullen 2, Sparrow, Chandler, Petracca, Gawn, Jones

BEST

Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Macrae, Daniel, Lipinski, Dunkley, Liberatore

Melbourne: May, Gawn, Fritsch, Petracca, Langdon

INJURIES

Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (corked hip), Naughton (forearm), Crozier (shoulder)

Melbourne: Lockhart (testicle), May (neck/chest)

Reports: Nil

MATCH IN A NUTSHELL

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Quick and slick. The midfield dominated and the ball movement was good going forward. The problem, especially early, was a lack of polish in front of goal. The two-pronged ruck set up of Stefan Martin and Tim English worked well, with both able to provide a target and create opportunities resting forward. Latham Vandermeer (hip) and Aaron Naughton (right forearm) did not play after halftime.

MELBOURNE

Absolutely smashed in clearance and inside-50 numbers, but they were missing most their starting onball brigade outside of ruckman Max Gawn. The lack of targets forward remains a worry, but the backline held up fairly well all things considered. When the Demons were up and about in the second quarter, their ball movement from end-to-end looked better than it was for most of last year. Jay Lockhart came off in the second quarter and was taken to hospital with a testicular injury.

Max Gawn and his teammates realise they have plenty of work to do after coming up short against the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

SELECTION PUZZLES

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Does Jason Johannisen come straight back in? Out of favour, he was relegated to the earlier VFL practice match at Whitten Oval while the Bulldogs used the clash at Marvel Stadium as full-blown preparation for Round 1. Anthony Scott (two goals) and Lachie McNeil (one goal) both did their chances of Round 1 debuts no harm, with Scott particularly impressive.

MELBOURNE

How to kick a winning score up forward? Fears about the Demons’ lack of firepower weren’t exactly put to bed as a forward line which won’t look much different in Round 1 struggled. The Demons kicked only five goals from 22 inside-50s in the opening half and finished with 10 for the game. Key forward Tom McDonald was a little more lively in the second half but didn’t record a score as his woes continue.

Marcus Bontempelli handpasses the ball during a standout performance. Picture: Getty Images

ONES TO WATCH

WESTERN BULLDOGS

It was hard to miss the captain, Marcus Bontempelli, who was a standout performer both around the ball and pushing forward. Scoreboard impact traditionally hasn’t been a strength for Bontempelli, who kicked only 11 goals from 18 games last year. But he capitalised on his chances and kicked three super goals. Jack Macrae also won the ball at will through the middle, while Bailey Dale impacted in a new role down back and also floated forward to kick two goals.

MELBOURNE

Jake Lever looked as settled as ever in defence, with Steven May also rock solid before coming off after a heavy collision in the final term. James Harmes spent significant time through the midfield in a new role, after spending much of last year down back. James Jordon was solid, but whether he gets squeezed back out to fit a host of experienced midfielders back in come Round 1 remains to be seen.

Jake Bowey handpasses the ball under pressure from Lachlan McNeil. Picture: Getty Images

SIDELINED

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Key recruit Adam Treloar (calf) played a little over a half in an earlier reserves game at Whitten Oval as he continues to push his case for a Round 1 debut in new colours. Veteran defender Easton Wood (hamstring) is also hopeful of playing in the season-opener, but Mitch Hannan (groin) is in some doubt and Toby McLean (knee) will be sidelined for much of the season.

MELBOURNE

Star onballer Clayton Oliver (general soreness) sat out the clash but is expected to ready for Round 1. Defender Christian Salem (hamstring) is in a similar situation, while midfielder Angus Brayshaw (foot) played in the earlier reserves match. Vice-captain Jack Viney (plantar fascia) is still hopeful of being fit for the season-opener, while key forwards Sam Weideman (leg stress fracture) and Ben Brown (knee) will miss the early part of the season.