AFLW 2024: Paxy Paxman’s season in doubt after foot injury flare-up

Melbourne will again have to navigate an injury to a key player as its coach called for a review into the AFLW’s condensed fixture.

Melbourne coach Mick Stinear has called for a review into the AFLW’s condensed fixture after losing Paxy Paxman to a recurring foot injury once again.

A match crucial for the Demons’ finals hopes against Richmond on Saturday will be the third time in a row Paxman has been unable to play consecutive games.

The injury flare-up casts a heavy cloud over the rest of the season for the 35-year-old Paxman, who was impressive on the wing in the Demons’ win over St Kilda on Sunday but has been in and out of the side since round 3.

Melbourne faces a difficult call on how to manage the five-time All-Australian while its finals hopes likely hinge on winning all three remaining games due to its low percentage.

Paxy Paxman is set to miss Melbourne’s Saturday twilight clash against Richmond at Casey Fields due to an ongoing foot injury. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

“It’s been such a challenging time for Paxy, with her foot, and she’s in a position this week where she’s unlikely to play,” Stinear said on Thursday.

“Just not being able to come up in time – every time she plays, it flares up, and that limits her training and limits her availability to play the next game.

“We’ve just got to keep supporting Paxy, and hopefully she can recover and her foot can settle so she can have a consistent back end of the season, but it’s been a bit up and down so far unfortunately.”

Stinear hailed the Demons’ handling of the condensed period as a success after they won three games in 11 days to move back within striking distance of the top eight but suggested he would not like the same scheduling to return.

Most teams had to play four games in a 15 or 16-day period to accommodate the extra game being squeezed into a 10-week home and away season in 2024.

“I’d like to see it reviewed and just see the impacts of everything – were there injuries to come out of it? Was there unnecessary stress from condensing it with the shorter lists,” he said.

Melbourne premiership player Blaithin Mackin is set to return from a calf strain against the Tigers, in a clash that could determine Melbourne’s finals hopes. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

“I think just a thorough review on the success of it including broadcast, which I’m sure the AFL is already doing.

“I think it’s nice these next three weeks to have one game a week – that suits where our list is at, and what we’re trying to achieve.”

Stinear said the Demons had been “disjointed” over the period when it came to “our rehab and non-playing players” but expected the full playing list to be involved in Thursday night’s main training session.

Winger Blaithin Mackin was poised to return from a calf strain against Richmond after a month on the sidelines, while All-Australian ruck Lauren Pearce (broken wrist) was also in the frame for her first game since round 1.

Stinear said tall duo Rhi Watt and Georgia Campbell were likely to hold their spots and play alongside Pearce if she was declared fit to play.

Pies captain’s cruel blow

Collingwood’s luckless skipper Brianna Davey will miss the final three games of the season after scans revealed a bone stress injury to her shin.

It brought an end to a campaign in which the star midfielder was unable to get going following an ankle injury which disrupted her start to the season.

Davey managed five games and averaged only 15 disposals in the Magpies’ difficult 1-7 start to life under new coach Sam Wright.

Collingwood captain Bri Davey will miss the rest of the 2024 season with a bone stress injury to her tibia. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

Collingwood women’s football boss Jess Burger said Davey had worked “immensely hard” to return to the side for round 2, after a horror run in which an ACL injury meant she only played one game across the dual 2022 campaigns.

“Bri is clearly disappointed to not see the season through, but her health and welfare is the priority,” Burger said.

“Bri is such a strong leader for our program on and off the field, and she will continue to support the playing group albeit from the sidelines.

“She is determined more than ever with her recovery, and our whole program will support her through this period to be ready for 2025.”