By Jon Pierik and Russell Bennett
In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Jake Stringer’s Essendon teammates were aware of his battle with concussion through the pre-season, which impacted up to 16 weeks of his training.
- Richmond great Matthew Richardson says the Tigers are in a “transitional phase” and must give their next generation of talent valuable game time for the rest of the season.
- Toby Nankervis will have surgery on a syndesmosis injury to his left ankle, which he sustained in round four against the Western Bulldogs.
- Izak Rankine is the latest victim of the racist abuse, which his club said “cannot be tolerated”.
‘Abhorrent racist remark’ directed at Crows star
Russell Bennett
The AFL has backed the Adelaide Crows in roundly condemning the racial abuse directed at yet another star of the competition on social media.
Izak Rankine, 22, is the latest victim of the shameful abuse, which his club said “cannot be tolerated”.
“There is no place for racism of any kind in our sport, nor the wider community, and it cannot be tolerated,” the Crows said in a statement on Monday.
Izak Rankine after the Crows’ win over the Dockers.Credit: AFL Photos
Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers said the deliberate act of racially vilifying Rankine was totally unacceptable and disgraceful, and his club wouldn’t stand for it.
“All of us have a responsibility to call out this type of reprehensible behaviour,” Silvers said.
“Equally, we must also take the time to understand the hurt it causes the person who has been targeted, as well as, in this instance, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
The AFL also released a statement, saying it would investigate the matter.
“The AFLIU [AFL Integrity Unit] has been contacted by the Adelaide Crows and will now provide support for those impacted and investigate the matter, working towards identifying the individual concerned,” the league’s statement read.
“We strongly support all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and condemn the racial vilification of anyone in the community in football.
“The AFL wants to make clear, there is no place in our game for anyone who vilifies our players.”
“The AFL wants to make clear, there is no place in our game for anyone who vilifies our players.”
Rankine starred in the Crows’ impressive 39-point win over the Dockers at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, booting three goals.
Western Bulldogs young gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagan made a powerful stance against the recent racial abuse he received from a Saints fan during a game at Marvel Stadium. The following week against the Brisbane Lions, Ugle-Hagan lifted his guernsey and pointed to his skin - echoing the scenes of 30 years ago when Nicky Winmar made his own stand.
Stringer’s concussion battle
Jon Pierik
Jake Stringer’s Essendon teammates rallied around him through recent criticism of his training standards, as it emerged the enigmatic forward had battled the lingering impacts of concussion.
Stringer revealed after his match-shaping four goals against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday – his second game of the season – that his summer had been hampered by a head knock he endured against Richmond in round 23 last year. He took a knee to the back of his head from Marlion Pickett, who was attempting to leap over the grounded Stringer while pursuing Zach Merrett.
Back in business: Jake Stringer celebrates kicking a goal against the Giants.Credit: AFL Photos
Stringer, 28, said the injury meant he had been unable to train properly for up to 16 weeks until December, but was then able to resume, before straining a hamstring on the eve of the season.
He missed the opening fortnight of the new campaign, and endured public criticism of his training standards. He booted one goal against St Kilda in round three, but displayed his brilliance against the Giants on Sunday with a booming torpedo goal, the Bombers now enjoying a 3-1 win-loss record heading into Gather Round in South Australia.
The fallout of the concussion had been kept publicly quiet, but defender Jordan Ridley said on Monday teammates were aware of Stringer’s battle.
“He certainly struggled with that for a little while, as he mentioned,” Ridley said on 3AW.
“I think he was super [on Sunday]. He showed how important a player he can be for us.”
Concussed: Jake Stringer took months to recover fully after a major head knock against Richmond in round 23 last year.Credit: Getty Images
Ridley said the Bombers had supported the 174-game veteran through criticism of his training standards, coming as coach Brad Scott refused to play him while he was not yet match fit.
“It can be a really tough position to be in, and it can be a lonely place sometimes. We certainly rallied around him. We really value Jake in what he brings to the table,” Ridley said.
Stringer, who can turn games up forward and when injected into the midfield, was delighted to have rediscovered his touch. However, he did also finish with six behinds, on a wayward kicking afternoon for the Bombers, who finished with 11.22.
“It would have been nice to not kick so many behinds. It was obviously pleasing. I am just trying to do my part for the team. That’s all I can do each week,” Stringer said.
The Bombers face top-of-the-table Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, before another major test against Collingwood on Anzac Day. They will have at least one change to make this week, as Sam Weideman was concussed.
Tigers lose Nankervis to injury; side in a transitional phase, says Richardson
Jon Pierik
Already struggling with just one win from their opening four games, Richmond will be without co-captain Toby Nankervis for what the club describes as “the medium term”.
The three-time premiership winner will have surgery on a syndesmosis injury to his left ankle, which he sustained in round four against the Western Bulldogs.
It’s yet another immediate blow to a side that club great Matthew Richardson says is in a “transitional phase” and must give their next generation of talent valuable game time for the remainder of the season.
The Tigers were considered a legitimate premiership contender heading into the new season, and were still optimistic last week that their best football was still good enough.
However, a five-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday, leaving the Tigers with one win, a draw and two losses, has Damien Hardwick’s men fighting to even make the top eight.
The Tigers need Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt to have an impact in a season where they have struggled.Credit: Getty Images
That star forward Tom Lynch is facing up to two months on the sidelines because of a broken foot – he is also facing at least a three-match suspension for a bump on Alex Keath – has also exacerbated the Tigers’ woes.
Richardson, still a crowd favourite, said the Tigers would remain competitive, but needed to also plan for the future by getting game time into the likes of impressive youngsters Tyler Sonsie and Judson Clarke.
“There are big injury issues, obviously, with Tom Lynch out of the team. You can’t replace a 60-70 goalkicker. They are in a transitional phase,” Richardson told 3AW.
“One thing I am confident about the Tigers is they will be competitive, but they just have to find a way to win some of these close games. It’s eight games since round six last year where they have been decided by less than a goal, and they haven’t won any one of them. But they haven’t lost a game by more than 14 points in nearly 12 months, so I know they are going to be competitive.
“I am now looking at the glass half full to get some game time into Judson Clarke. [He] should play for the rest of the year. Sonsie should play for the rest of the year now. Get another 15, 20 games into these kids because it is a transitional period for them, they have got some ageing players. On the weekend, they have five players under 10 games, seven under 25.”
Veteran forward Jack Riewoldt, rested over the weekend, having struggled to post five goals in three games, will return to replace Lynch.
“Jack has to come in now and play his role as the key forward. He will be the No.1 man. You know how competitive Jack is. Obviously, he is 34 years of age now. He is past his best, but he has got a big role to play in the coming weeks,” Richardson said.
The Tigers have much to work through heading into Friday’s clash at the Adelaide Oval against a Swans unit stung by back-to-back defeats.
Midfielder Jack Graham (hamstring) will need to be replaced, and their work at clearances needs to improve, but Daniel Rioli (29 disposals against the Bulldogs), Liam Baker (25) and Tim Taranto (27) are in good touch. Baker and Rioli were given votes in the AFL Coaches Association’s champion player of the year award. It should also not be forgotten that the Tigers produced an eight-goal-to-two second term against the Bulldogs.
Dustin Martin, having returned from a hamstring issue, impressed, having 23 touches (15 contested), including a goal, and an equal game-high 10 score involvements.
Hardwick, testy in his post-match press conference on Saturday night when defending Lynch, will also need to determine whether Trent Cotchin remains the substitute. The three-time premiership skipper had 11 disposals after replacing Graham. The Tigers hope the hard-running Jayden Short (calf) can return from injury.
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