AFL pre-season injury news: Josh Rachele in doubt, Callum Mills to miss a month, Nik Cox, Jake Stringer latest

Josh Rachele is in doubt for Adelaide’s last pre-season hitout after a training injury scare. MATT TURNER has the latest Crows news, including a round 1 bolter.

Adelaide small forward Josh Rachele is in doubt to play in Thursday’s pre-season match against Brisbane after sustaining a corked thigh at training.

Rachele limped off during the session at West Lakes on Tuesday.

Veteran Taylor Walker did not train because of a sore heel but planned to travel to Brisbane with the team with his availability also to be determined.

Key defender Jordon Butts, who was expected to play with the SANFL side this week, left the track with a foot issue.

The return of Isaac Cumming (managed) and Lachie Sholl (knee) to the wings after missing last Friday’s trial game win over Port Adelaide meant Chayce Jones and Billy Dowling lined up with the B team in a very short match simulation.

Josh Rachele could miss Adelaide’s pre-season clash against Brisbane Lions. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Adelaide’s forward line comprised Dan Curtin, Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, Ben Keays, Alex Neal-Bullen and Izak Rankine, who was sidelined against the Power due to illness.

Reilly O’Brien, Jake Soligo, Matt Crouch and James Peatling lined up on the ball.

Rory Laird, Wayne Milera, Mitch Hinge, Josh Worrell, Nick Murray and Mark Keane were in the backline.

Captain Jordan Dawson and small defender Hugh Bond were also with the As.

Rachele, Walker and Max Michalanney (thumb), who all did not participate in the match simulation, would make it 23.

Adelaide will name a 26-man squad on Wednesday for its clash with the Lions in Brisbane, the Crows’ last trial against another club before round 1.

MILLS TO MISS OPENING MONTH AFTER INJURY SETBACK

— Chris Cavanagh

The Sydney Swans will be without their captain Callum Mills until at least round four with the 27-year-old suffering a tear in his plantar fascia.

Mills has been struggling with plantar fasciitis in recent weeks. He had spent the majority of recent sessions running on the sidelines and working with physios on his sprinting technique.

However, the club was initially confident he would be available to play in their opening-round clash against Hawthorn. He was also listed as a test for Friday’s Community Series match against Gold Coast.

The skipper also spoke with media during the AFL captain’s day on Monday and confirmed he was hopeful of being available for the start of the season.

Callum Mills will miss until Round 4. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Scans on Monday afternoon confirmed that he had a tear in the plantar fascia. Mills will now spend the next fortnight in a moon boot to protect the foot before targeting a return for the Swans’ clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on April 5.

“Callum had been managing his plantar fasciitis well, however, he required follow-up imaging with the results last night revealing Callum has sustained a tear of the plantar fascia,” Damian Raper, the Swans head of physiotherapy and medical services said.

“After consultation with our medical team, we believe the best course of action is to spend two weeks in a boot before reassessing Callum’s return to play program.”

Mills only played seven matches last season following a serious rotator cuff injury that ruled him out until round 18. He then missed both the preliminary final and grand final after suffering a hamstring injury at training.

The former All-Australian was set to play a key role in Dean Cox’s Sydney side, returning to the midfield and working hard on his stoppage craft. However, his absence is set to open up more opportunities for the likes of James Jordon and Angus Sheldrick who have impressed this summer.

Taylor Adams is another one who could return to contention for the best 23 as the Swans look to replace Mills’ experience in the midfield.

Mills joins a growing injury list for the Swans with Logan McDonald and Harry Cunningham also set to miss the opening few weeks of the season. Tom Papley and Jake Lloyd remain tests for Friday’s match against the Suns.

Callum Mills is struggling with a foot issue. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

NO TIMELINE ON COX RETURN FOR DONS

— Chris Cavanagh

Essendon is putting no timeline on a return for talented tall Nik Cox as he continues to experience concussion-related symptoms after a head knock in December.

Cox is still not in full training and has struggled to step up his work on the track since being concussed in a tackle just before Christmas.

The Bombers are carefully managing the 23-year-old, who will now miss at least the early part of the season.

The training mishap in December was Cox’s second concussion in the space of four months after he was subbed out of a round 23 match against Gold Coast in August following a head knock in an aerial contest.

Essendon is unsure when Nik Cox will be available. Picture: Mark Stewart

Cox played 20 matches last season – primarily on a wing – with the 200cm tall averaging 12.1 disposals and 3.5 marks.

A No. 8 draft pick in 2020, Cox signed a two-year contract extension last July, tying him to the Bombers until the end of 2026.

He played 22 games on debut in 2021 before being struck down with back, foot and ankle issues across the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.

Essendon faces the Gold Coast Suns in Opening Round on March 8.

STRINGER’S GIANTS DEBUT ON HOLD

— Lachlan McKirdy

Jake Stringer will have to wait one more week to make his first GWS Giants appearance, with the club confirming he will miss their final pre-season hitout against Carlton on Friday.

The former Bomber has spent the best part of the past fortnight dealing with an illness. The 30-year-old even spent time in hospital for some routine tests as he attempted to overcome it.

While there was optimism he would be fit to face the Blues in Canberra, the Giants have instead opted to give him an extra week’s rest and build up his training loads again. At this stage, the club is confident he will be available for their opening round clash against Collingwood on Sunday, March 9.

Jake Stringer will have to wait until the Giants’ opening round clash against Collingwood to make his first appearance for his new club. Picture: Phil Hillyard

In better news for the Giants, vice-captain Stephen Coniglio will take on Carlton after being named to play his first match of the year. Coniglio returned to full-contact training in recent weeks after two off-season surgeries and will be looking to push his case to take on the Pies at home nine days later.

Star defender Sam Taylor is currently listed as a test for this Friday’s clash after suffering a concussion during an intra-club match simulation two weeks ago. If he gets through Wednesday’s session he will be fit to play, but either way, the Giants believe he will be ready to go against Collingwood in opening round.

Coniglio is set for his first minutes of the season against Carlton this Friday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Academy ruckman Logan Smith (illness) and first-round draft pick from 2023 Phoenix Gothard (ankle) are the other two players who have joined the club’s injury list and won’t be available to take on the Blues.

Tom Green’s recovery from a calf strain continues to progress well with the club now listing the midfielder as three weeks away from a return. Callum Brown’s hamstring injury is only set to see him miss another 1-2 weeks of football.

Originally published as AFL pre-season injury news: Josh Rachele in doubt, Callum Mills to miss a month, Nik Cox, Jake Stringer latest