AFL round 3 teams: Harry McKay could miss Bulldogs clash, Jordan Ridley to return for Bombers

The teams are in for the showdown between Essendon and Port Adelaide, but it’s Carlton awaiting a possible cruel blow ahead of their clash with the Bulldogs.

Carlton spearhead Harry McKay remains in doubt to play Western Bulldogs on Friday night as he recovers from illness.

The gun goal kicker was a late withdrawal for the loss to Hawthorn last Thursday night and missed training on Monday.

While McKay was put through his paces at training with the group on Wednesday, the Blues will make a call on whether he takes on the Bulldogs based on how he pulls up on Thursday.

McKay’s absence would be a major blow for the Blues considering the 27-year-old has booted at least 45 goals in each of the past three seasons.

The coaching staff will make the decision in consultation with the medical staff as the Blues try to avoid a 0-3 start for the first time since 2019.

Harry McKay could still miss the Bulldogs clash. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The uncertainty means McKay may have to wait until the blockbuster against Collingwood next Thursday at the MCG to make his return.

It would be a relief for the Dogs whose defence could be bolstered by the return of fun backmen Liam Jones from a serious hamstring injury.

Carlton has not shed any light on McKay’s condition only that he couldn’t play against the Hawks last week as he was sick.

If McKay remains sidelined the Blues on Friday night will have to turn to Jack Silvagni to help share the goal kicking load alongside superstar Charlie Curnow and Brodie Kemp at Marvel Stadium.

Curnow also looked sore and underdone at times gathering only five disposals in the loss to the Hawks.

Curnow was on the comeback from preseason knee surgery.

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Essendon has regained an important defender for Thursday night’s clash with Port Adelaide.

Jordan Ridley, who suffered a concussion against Hawthorn in round 1, makes his return for the Bombers.

Meanwhile the Power have named Ivan Soldo to replace Jack Lukosius up forward in his first senior game for almost a year.

Esava Ratugolea will also play his first senior game for the season after overcoming nagging injury concerns that plagued his summer.

Port Adelaide was hit with the injury bug, with Lachie Jones, Ryan Burton and Lukosius all sidelined.

Tom Cochrane, a small forward that was plucked out of the rookie draft pool, will make his senior debut after booting four majors in a SANFL trial match last week.

Essendon will also hand out a fresh guernsey, with mature age recruit Saad El-Hawli to debut in the Thursday night match.

El-Hawli was picked up in the 2024 mid-season draft and was shaping up as a potential draftee by the end of the campaign before injury ended his season.

Essendon will be looking to avoid a dreaded 0-3 start to its campaign, having lost to Hawthorn in round 1 before getting smashed by Adelaide at the MCG last week.

Essendon has not beaten Port Adelaide in the past eight match ups, with the last win against the Power coming in round 23, 2018.

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Draftees Tobie Travaglia and Hugh Boxshall are in the frame to debut this weekend after promising state league performances put them firmly on the radar to take on Richmond.

But forward Max King will miss up to another two weeks as he continues to battle a knee complaint that has derailed the beginning of his season.

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Hugh Boxshall is set to make his St Kilda debut.

St Kilda’s top pick Tobie Travaglia. Picture: Michael Klein

Forward Cooper Sharman will face a fitness test on Thursday after having thumb surgery in the pre-season and could return, while midfielder Hunter Clark — who was troubled by groin soreness in Saturday’s win over Geelong — will have his playing timeline considered over coming days.

Travaglia had 25 disposals — 13 of those contested — in the VFL on Sunday, nine tackles and a goal, while Boxshall had 20 touches and seven clearances.

Both are staking their claim to become the Saints’ third debutant in as many rounds.

Liam Stocker was concussed in last Saturday’s victory and will miss at least this week.

King continues to be monitored despite earlier hopes he would be “touch and go” to play in Round 1 before a further setback. He will miss at least this weekend’s clash with Richmond and potentially the trip to Adelaide to face Port Adelaide in Round 4.

Melbourne’s defensive stocks will face fitness tests this week with Steven May and Jake Lever to be assessed before hosting Gold Coast.

May — who has not played so far this season due to a fractured larynx — has been cleared to return to training by specialists with Thursday’s main session to determine his return.

Jake Lever and Steven May are facing fitness tests. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lever, 29, rolled his ankle twice in Sunday’s loss to North Melbourne and has had to overcome

“Jake rolled his ankle just before three quarter time. He was able to get back out on the field and continue to play but then rolled it again close to the end of the game,” Demons high performance boss Selwyn Griffith said.

“With a short turnaround, it’s just about managing that ankle from a swelling and function perspective, and we’ll look to progress him each day, with the hope for him to be available this week.”

Jake Melksham, who also hasn’t played this season after a pre-season hamstring issue, could be back as soon as this week.

In a further blow for luckless Demon Caleb Windsor, more time in hospital has been required as he continues to manage an infection issue in his foot that plagued his summer.

“Now it’s all about the wound healing component,” Griffith said.

“It’s unlikely he’ll be available for this weekend, but we’ll continue to progress him each day as his pain and function tolerates.”

Originally published as AFL round 3 teams: Harry McKay could miss Bulldogs clash, Jordan Ridley to return for Bombers