By Marnie Vinall and Shayne Hope
Good news for Gawn on knee
Marnie Vinall
Melbourne captain Max Gawn has escaped a dreaded ACL injury with scans confirming a short-term medial ligament injury with between four and six weeks on the sidelines.
The club confirmed on Saturday afternoon the ruckman and five-time All Australian suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain.
He was injured in the sixth minute of the first term against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Friday night, when teammate Jack Viney crashed into the side of his leg.
He went straight to the rooms, looking morose but has luckily avoided a season-ending injury.
Max Gawn injured his knee and was off the ground early.Credit: Fox Footy, Getty Images
Melbourne football manager Alan Richardson said Gawn’s recovery would be short-term but fans shouldn’t expect to see him back for at least a month.
“Max had scans which show a moderate-grade medial ligament injury and at this stage, we expect him to [be] available in four to six weeks,” said Richardson.
“Max has seen a knee specialist and is working with our medical and high-performance team to determine the best return to play rehabilitations program.”
Earlier on Saturday, Gawn remained optimistic while not ruling out an ACL injury given he’d previously done two on his right knee.
He was taking it as a positive as he was able to walk freely and pain-free.
“I’ve got a glimmer of hope, as you do going into every scan. I’ve had good news scans before and I’ve had some bad ones, so I’m just hoping I get one of the good ones.
“I’ve got some [history with my] knees that … my right one obviously has been done twice and my left one sometimes shows a little bit of give. So, they [club doctors] were pretty unclear with the initial tests,” Gawn said.
“I’ve got some confidence that I’m walking around, pretty much pain free.”
With Gawn out until at least round six, Melbourne recruit Brodie Grundy, who missed a massive chunk of last season in his final season at Collingwood, , is expected to increase his time in the ruck.
Grundy played greater ruck minutes after Gawn’s injury, and impressed Demons coach Simon Goodwin despite the Demons getting demolished around stoppages.
Melbourne lost the overall clearance count 60-32, while centre clearances were 20-10 in the Brisbane Lions’ favour. However, the Demons won the hitouts 52-43.
“I thought his [Grundy’s] second half was pretty strong, he took a big step forward again tonight,” Goodwin said afterwards.
“He’s going to have to shoulder a bit of responsibility depending on Max, so I’m sure he’s the type of ruckman that will relish that opportunity.”
Melbourne defender Steven May was also a late withdrawal on Friday with a calf complaint, but Goodwin confirmed he would be available next week.
Coaches not keen on fans booing Horne-Francis
AAP
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has attempted to brush off what he believes was unnecessary booing of prized recruit Jason Horne-Francis by Collingwood fans.
Horne-Francis, the 2021 No.1 draft pick, returned to the MCG on Saturday for his first game in Victoria since shocking North Melbourne with a trade request at the end of his first season.
The 19-year-old starred in his Power debut against Brisbane in round one but managed just 15 disposals and one clearance in a 71-point trouncing from the Magpies.
Collingwood fans made up the vast majority of the 60,744-strong crowd and mercilessly jeered each one of Horne-Francis’s touches.
Jason Horne-Francis fends off Darcy Cameron.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
“He’s got some attention on him. He’s had that all summer and he’s had that for the last 12 months,” Hinkley said.
“Melbourne maybe don’t like him as a town, I don’t know. That’s all I can suggest it can be because he didn’t play for Collingwood.”
Hinkley stopped short of trying to discourage fans from booing his emerging midfield star.
“I don’t see a need for it,” Hinkley said.
“Discourage? It’s not my job to do that. I just don’t see a need for it.”
Horne-Francis was not alone in producing a poor display, with Port Adelaide comprehensively beaten across the ground.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae made his feelings about booing known last season when Magpies livewire Jack Ginnivan drew the ire of opposition fans, and reiterated his stance.
“I’ve got a little six-year-old and we don’t boo in our household,” McRae said.
“We respect opposition and other athletes, so it’s not something I would do.
“You pay your money, you can do what you like, but in my household we don’t boo.”
Lions expect concussion to end Marcus Adams’ career
Shayne Hope
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has conceded Marcus Adams’ AFL career is all but over, admitting he would be uncomfortable overseeing the defender’s unlikely comeback.
Adams’ playing future is in serious doubt after he was put on the Lions’ inactive list in January because of ongoing concussion effects.
They have lingered for seven months, since the 29-year-old last took the field in round 21 last season.
“He has good days and not so good days, so probably not a lot has changed at this point in time,” Fagan told SEN on Saturday.
“I’ll be amazed if he plays this year and, to be fair, I’ll be amazed if he plays again.
Marcus Adams pictured injured on the ground in round 21.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
“My main concern is that he gets right and can live a really good and fulfilling life and not be troubled by this for a long time.”
Former Lions defenders Justin Clarke, Jack Frost and Matt Maguire all retired in the past decade because of ongoing effects of concussion.
Fears over Adams’ future come as the AFL faces multiple class actions from ex-players seeking compensation over health issues related to on-field concussion.
“(Adams) played football in a really brave way and was one of those guys who would always go back with the flight (of the ball) in the air,” Fagan said.
“I’m just hoping that he gets right and can be fit and healthy for normal, everyday tasks.
“If he plays footy again, well, that’s an absolute bonus.
“But probably as a coach I’d feel pretty nervous about putting him back out on the ground again after what he’s been through.”
Adams was substituted off with a rib injury in his most recent appearance, in a win over Carlton last August.
In the days that followed, Adams began experiencing concussion symptoms that have lingered ever since.
The concussion followed a series of injury setbacks that have cruelled the former Western Bulldogs defender’s career.
Adams was restricted to 27 games across three seasons with the Bulldogs, then missed all but one game of the 2020 season with a foot injury.
He has played a total of 73 games over seven seasons.
Adams’ absence has left a hole in Brisbane’s defence alongside mainstay Harris Andrews.
Jack Payne remains a work in progress while Irishman Darragh Joyce was recruited to add depth when Adams was put on the inactive list.
AAP